In an acknowledgment, the notary’s primary responsibility is to confirm the identity of the signer and witness the signing of the document. The notary does not need to verify the signer’s knowledge of the document’s content or provide legal advice.
For a notarial act to be valid, the notary must witness the signing of the document or the acknowledgment of the signature. The notary’s presence is essential for confirming the authenticity of the signature. There is no requirement for the document to be dated on the day of notarization, nor must the notary draft the document.
Illinois law requires that a notary verify the identity of the signer through valid identification. If the signer cannot provide proper identification, the notary must refuse to notarize the document. Personal knowledge or verbal confirmation alone is not sufficient.
In Illinois, notaries are required to keep a record of each notarial act in a journal or record book for a minimum of 3 years. This helps ensure proper documentation and accountability.
The Illinois notary seal or stamp must include the notary’s name, commission number, and the expiration date of their commission. It does not need to be colored or affixed to every page of the document, and it is not purchased from the Secretary of State’s office but rather from authorized vendors.
