Become an Illinois Notary Public: Requirements & Steps

Q: Is the Illinois notary exam hard?

The exam covers what you learn in the 3-hour course. If you pay attention during the course, you should pass. You need 85% and get up to 3 attempts.

Q: Does Illinois require a notary journal?

Illinois strongly recommends a journal but doesn't strictly require one for traditional notarizations. Most experienced notaries keep one.

Q: Can I live in a border state and be an Illinois notary?

Yes, if you've resided in Illinois or a bordering state for at least 30 days and your place of work is in Illinois.

Q: Do I need errors and omissions insurance?

No, but it's recommended. The bond protects the public. E&O protects you personally.

Published January 21, 2023 · Updated May 21, 2026

Key Takeaways

Updated January 2024: Illinois now requires a 3-hour education course and exam (85% to pass) for all new and renewing notaries
You must be 18+, live in Illinois or a border state for 30+ days, and be a US citizen or permanent resident
$5,000 surety bond required ($25,000 additional for electronic/RON notaries)
Application fee: $15 | Commission term: 4 years
No felony convictions and no commission revocations in the past 10 years

Illinois made significant changes to its notary laws in 2024, adding mandatory education and exam requirements that didn’t exist before. Here’s the current process for getting commissioned.

Requirements

To become a notary public in Illinois, you must:

Be at least 18 years old
Live in Illinois or a bordering state for at least 30 days
Be a US citizen or lawful permanent resident
Be able to read and write English
Have no felony convictions
Have no notary commission revocations in the past 10 years

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Complete the 3-Hour Education Course

After completing the course, you must pass a 50-question exam with a score of 85% or higher. You get up to 3 attempts. This requirement applies to both new and renewing notaries: it’s a change from the old rules where no exam was needed.

Step 3: Purchase a $5,000 Surety Bond

Buy a 4-year, $5,000 Illinois notary surety bond from an authorized surety company. Cost is typically $40–$50. The bond protects the public, not you personally.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

Complete the Illinois notary application online through the Secretary of State website. Sign the notarial oath section in front of a current Illinois notary, include your bond and proof of course completion, and pay the $15 fee. Your bonding company can handle the submission for you.

Step 5: Receive Your Commission

Once the Secretary of State approves your application, you’ll receive your commission certificate by mail. Processing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. Then purchase your notary stamp and journal: you’re ready to work.

How Much Does It Cost?

Item	Cost
3-hour education course	$30–$75
Application fee	$15
$5,000 surety bond (4-year)	$40–$50
Notary stamp	$15–$25
Notary journal	$10–$50
Total	$110–$215

How Much Can Illinois Notaries Charge?

Illinois sets the maximum fee at $1 per notarial act for traditional notarizations. Remote Online Notarizations (RON) can be charged at up to $25. At $1 per notarization, most Illinois notaries earn their real income through mobile notary travel fees or as signing agents.

Renewal

Illinois notary commissions last 4 years. The Secretary of State sends a renewal notice about 60 days before your commission expires. You must retake the 3-hour course and pass the exam again for each renewal. Submit your renewal application with a new bond and the $15 fee.

Remote Online Notarization (RON)

Illinois has allowed Remote Online Notarization since January 2022. To become an electronic notary, you need:

An active Illinois notary commission
An additional $25,000 surety bond (on top of the $5,000 traditional bond)
A contract with an approved RON technology provider
Registration with the Secretary of State

Becoming a Signing Agent in Illinois

Illinois is an attorney state for real estate closings, which limits some signing agent opportunities. However, many Illinois notaries build successful signing agent businesses handling out-of-state loan closings, especially in the Chicago metropolitan area.

According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual pay for an Illinois notary is approximately $51,000. Signing agents who handle loan closings average about $89,000. Take a signing agent course after you get commissioned to learn the loan document process.

Notarial Acts You Can Perform

Illinois notaries can perform the following notarial acts:

Acknowledgments: verifying the signer appeared before you and acknowledged signing voluntarily
Jurats: administering an oath and witnessing the signer sign in your presence
Oaths and affirmations: swearing in a signer for verbal statements
Certified copies: attesting that a photocopy is a true and correct copy of an original document
Copy certifications: certifying copies of documents in your custody

Can You Notarize for Family Members in Illinois?

Illinois law does not explicitly prohibit notarizing for family members. The standard conflict-of-interest rules apply:

You cannot notarize your own signature under any circumstances
You should avoid notarizing any document in which you have a direct financial or beneficial interest
Notarizing for a spouse is problematic when the document involves shared financial interests
Notarizing for parents, siblings, or adult children is permissible if you have no financial stake in the transaction

Penalties for Notary Misconduct in Illinois

Illinois treats notary misconduct seriously under the Illinois Notary Public Act:

Notarizing without a commission: Class A misdemeanor
Fraud or forgery: felony charges
Official misconduct: Class A misdemeanor
Commission revocation, the Secretary of State can revoke your commission for violations
Civil liability. Your $5,000 surety bond protects the public; you are personally liable for damages exceeding the bond amount

Employer Obligations

Illinois employer-notary rules:

Your notary commission is personal and cannot be controlled by your employer
An employer may not require you to notarize without following proper procedures
If you leave your job, your stamp and commission go with you
The employer cannot restrict your notary services to company business only
If your employer paid for your bond or supplies, they cannot use that to control your notarial acts

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Illinois notary exam hard?

The exam covers what you learn in the 3-hour course: notary law, procedures, and duties. If you pay attention during the course, you should pass the 50-question exam. You need an 85% to pass and get up to 3 attempts.

Do renewing notaries need to take the course and exam?

Yes. Since January 1, 2024, both new and renewing notaries must complete the 3-hour course and pass the exam for every commission cycle.

Does Illinois require a notary journal?

Illinois strongly recommends keeping a journal but doesn’t strictly require one for traditional notarizations. Electronic notaries do have record-keeping requirements. Most experienced notaries keep one as protection.

Can I live in a border state and be an Illinois notary?

Yes, as long as you’ve resided in Illinois or a bordering state for at least 30 days and meet the other requirements. Your place of work must be in Illinois.

Do I need errors and omissions insurance?

No, but it’s recommended. The surety bond protects the public. E&O insurance protects you if a mistake leads to a claim.

How Illinois Compares to Neighboring States

Requirement	Illinois	Indiana	Wisconsin	Missouri
Bond	$5,000	$25,000	$500	$10,000
Exam	No	Yes (80%)	No	No
Training	Yes	Yes	No	No
Term	4 years	8 years	4 years	4 years
RON	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Illinois has modest requirements: $5,000 bond and training but no exam. Indiana dramatically increased requirements in May 2026 ($25,000 bond, exam, education, background check). Wisconsin has the lowest bond at $500.

How to Become a Notary in Illinois (2026 Guide)

Key Takeaways

Requirements

Step-by-Step Application Process