Free IL-Notary Electronic and Remote Online Notarization (RON) Procedures Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Before performing their first electronic notarization, an Illinois notary must:
- Purchase a special USB key for their electronic signature
- Notify the Secretary of State and identify their chosen technology provider (Correct answer)
- Obtain a separate $25,000 bond for electronic acts
- Pass a specialized technology proficiency exam
Correct answer: Notify the Secretary of State and identify their chosen technology provider
A notary cannot simply decide to start performing electronic notarizations. They must first select a state-approved technology provider and then formally notify the Secretary of State of their intent to use that specific system. This registration is a mandatory prerequisite.
Question 2: What is the minimum retention period for the audio-visual recording of a Remote Online Notarization (RON) session in Illinois?
- 1 year
- 3 years
- 5 years
- 7 years (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 7 years
Illinois law requires that the complete audio-visual recording of a RON session be securely stored. This recording serves as critical evidence of the notarial act and must be retained by the notary or a designated third party for a minimum of seven years.
Question 3: During a RON session for a signer not personally known to the notary, which of these is a required part of the identity verification process?
- The signer must fax a copy of their ID to the notary beforehand
- A credible witness must be physically present with the notary
- Credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication (KBA) (Correct answer)
- The signer must provide their Social Security Number verbally
Correct answer: Credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication (KBA)
Identity verification for a remote individual is a multi-layered process. It must include remote presentation of a government ID, automated analysis of that ID (credential analysis), and successful completion of knowledge-based authentication (KBA) questions.
Question 4: Where must an Illinois notary be physically located when performing a Remote Online Notarization (RON)?
- Anywhere in the world with a secure internet connection
- Anywhere within the United States
- Physically located within the State of Illinois (Correct answer)
- At the physical address listed on their commission
Correct answer: Physically located within the State of Illinois
While the signer can be located anywhere in the world, the notary's authority is tied to their Illinois commission. Therefore, the notary must be physically located within the geographical boundaries of the State of Illinois at the time they perform the remote notarial act.
Question 5: What must be securely attached to or logically associated with an electronically notarized document?
- A QR code linking to the video recording of the session
- The notary's electronic signature and electronic seal (Correct answer)
- A timestamp from the National Institute of Standards and Technology
- A scanned image of the notary's paper journal entry
Correct answer: The notary's electronic signature and electronic seal
For an electronic notarization to be valid, the notary must affix both their electronic signature and their electronic seal to the document. These must be linked to the document in such a way that any subsequent changes are detectable, ensuring the document's integrity.
Question 6: What kind of journal is an Illinois notary required to maintain for their electronic notarizations?
- The same paper journal used for traditional notarizations
- No journal is needed if the video recording is stored
- A secure electronic journal that chronicles all electronic notarial acts (Correct answer)
- A printout of the electronic notarial certificate for a paper file
Correct answer: A secure electronic journal that chronicles all electronic notarial acts
Illinois law requires notaries to keep a record of all their notarial acts. For electronic notarizations, this record must be in the form of a secure electronic journal, which is separate from any paper journal used for traditional acts. The video recording is a separate requirement.
Free IL-Notary Electronic and Remote Online Notarization (RON) Procedures Questions and Answers 1
Before performing their first electronic notarization, an Illinois notary must: