IL Notary Ethics and Professional Conduct

Question 1

An Illinois notary is asked to notarize a document for a family member who is also their business partner. What should the notary do?

Accepted Answer

Decline to notarize the document due to the potential conflict of interest

Answer

Notarize the document as long as it is for a family member

Answer

Notarize the document without any special considerations

Answer

Have another notary perform the notarization instead

Question 2

What is an appropriate action for an Illinois notary if they are aware that a document is fraudulent or contains false information?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to notarize the document and report the situation to the authorities

Answer

Notarize the document and ignore the fraudulent content

Answer

Notarize the document but make a note of the fraud in the notary journal

Answer

Proceed with the notarization and advise the signer to consult an attorney

Question 3

How should an Illinois notary handle a request to notarize a document that is not in English, if they do not understand the language?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to notarize the document until a translation is provided

Answer

Notarize the document without verifying its content

Answer

Notarize the document only if an interpreter is present

Answer

Notarize the document and assume it is correct based on the signer's word

Question 4

If an Illinois notary makes an error on a notarial certificate, what is the appropriate course of action?

Accepted Answer

Complete a new notarial certificate and attach it to the original document

Answer

Cross out the error and write the correct information above it

Answer

Use correction fluid to cover the mistake and write the correct information

Answer

Inform the signer that the error cannot be corrected and refuse to notarize

Question 5

What should an Illinois notary do if they are approached to perform a notarization outside of their commissioned county?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to perform the notarization, as it must be done within the notary’s commissioned county

Answer

Proceed with the notarization if it is convenient for the signer

Answer

Notarize the document but note the location discrepancy in the notary journal

Answer

Contact the Secretary of State to get permission to notarize outside the county