IL Notary - Illinois Notary Exam Illinois Notary Electronic & Remote Notarization 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Illinois law, what identity verification method is specifically required for a Remote Online Notarization (RON) that is NOT required for in-person electronic notarization?
- The signer must provide a government-issued photo ID in person
- The notary must use credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication (KBA) to verify the remote signer's identity (Correct answer)
- The signer must have their signature witnessed by two people
- The notary must obtain a sworn affidavit from the signer's employer
Correct answer: The notary must use credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication (KBA) to verify the remote signer's identity
RON in Illinois requires the notary to use both credential analysis (to verify the authenticity of the signer's ID document) and knowledge-based authentication (KBA quiz questions) because the signer is not physically present. In-person electronic notarization does not require these additional remote identity checks.
Question 2: What is the minimum audio-visual standard required for a Remote Online Notarization session in Illinois?
- Audio-only communication is sufficient if the video connection is unavailable
- The communication must allow the notary and signer to see, hear, and communicate with each other in real time (Correct answer)
- Pre-recorded video of the signer reading the document is acceptable
- A telephone call combined with an email confirmation satisfies the requirement
Correct answer: The communication must allow the notary and signer to see, hear, and communicate with each other in real time
Illinois law requires that RON sessions use real-time, two-way audio-visual communication so the notary and signer can simultaneously see and hear each other. Pre-recorded video or audio-only communication does not satisfy this requirement.
Question 3: How long must an Illinois notary retain the audio-visual recording of a Remote Online Notarization session?
- 30 days
- 1 year
- 10 years (Correct answer)
- 3 years
Correct answer: 10 years
Illinois requires notaries who perform RON to retain the audio-visual recording of each session for at least 10 years. This extended period aligns with the general notary journal retention requirement and ensures records are available if a notarization is later challenged.
Question 4: Which of the following statements about the tamper-evident technology used in Illinois electronic notarizations is correct?
- Any standard PDF password protection qualifies as tamper-evident technology
- The electronic seal and signature must be attached to the document in a way that renders any subsequent alteration detectable (Correct answer)
- Tamper-evident technology is optional if the signer signs a paper backup copy
- Only documents notarized remotely require tamper-evident technology; in-person electronic notarizations do not
Correct answer: The electronic seal and signature must be attached to the document in a way that renders any subsequent alteration detectable
Illinois law requires that an electronic notarization attach the notary's electronic seal and signature using tamper-evident technology, so any post-notarization change to the document is detectable. This applies to both in-person electronic notarizations and RON, and a PDF password alone does not meet this standard.
Question 5: If an Illinois notary performs a Remote Online Notarization for a signer located in another U.S. state, which statement is accurate?
- The notarization is invalid because Illinois notaries can only serve Illinois residents
- The notarization is valid as long as the notary complies with Illinois RON law, regardless of where the signer is physically located (Correct answer)
- The notary must first obtain a separate commission from the signer's home state
- RON is only permitted when both parties are physically present in Illinois
Correct answer: The notarization is valid as long as the notary complies with Illinois RON law, regardless of where the signer is physically located
Illinois RON law authorizes notaries to serve signers located anywhere, not just Illinois. The notary's authority is governed by Illinois law, so compliance with Illinois RON requirements is what matters—not the signer's physical location at the time of the notarization.
Question 6: Which platform or technology provider may an Illinois notary use to perform Remote Online Notarizations?
- Only platforms operated directly by the Illinois Secretary of State
- Any video conferencing tool, including personal consumer apps, provided the notary keeps a recording
- Only RON platforms that have been approved or meet the standards set forth under Illinois law and the notary's commissioning authority (Correct answer)
- The notary may use any platform chosen solely by the signer
Correct answer: Only RON platforms that have been approved or meet the standards set forth under Illinois law and the notary's commissioning authority
Illinois notaries must use RON platforms that satisfy the state's technology requirements, including tamper-evident signatures, secure identity verification tools (credential analysis and KBA), and audio-visual recording capabilities. Generic consumer video apps like FaceTime or Zoom alone do not meet these standards and are not approved RON platforms.
IL Notary - Illinois Notary Exam Illinois Notary Electronic & Remote Notarization 1
Under Illinois law, what identity verification method is specifically required for a Remote Online Notarization (RON) that is NOT required for in-person electronic notarization?