IL Notary - Illinois Notary Exam Official Seal and Stamp Specifications and Security 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the required shape of an Illinois notary public's official seal?
- Square or rectangular
- Circular or rectangular (Correct answer)
- Oval only
- Any shape chosen by the notary
Correct answer: Circular or rectangular
Illinois law specifies that the official notary seal must be either circular or rectangular in shape. No other shapes are authorized for use as an official notary seal.
Question 2: Which of the following elements is NOT required to appear on an Illinois notary's official seal?
- The notary's name
- The notary's commission expiration date
- The notary's county of residence
- The state seal or coat of arms of Illinois (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The state seal or coat of arms of Illinois
Illinois statutes do not require the state seal or coat of arms to appear on the notary's official seal. Required elements include the notary's name, the words 'Notary Public,' the state of Illinois, and the county of commission.
Question 3: Under Illinois law, who is responsible for the safekeeping of a notary's official seal?
- The county clerk who issued the commission
- The notary public personally (Correct answer)
- The notary's employer or supervising attorney
- The Illinois Secretary of State's office
Correct answer: The notary public personally
The notary public personally bears the responsibility for safekeeping of their official seal. The seal is the exclusive property and responsibility of the individual notary, regardless of who paid for it.
Question 4: What must an Illinois notary do with their official seal upon the expiration or resignation of their commission?
- Return it to the Illinois Secretary of State
- Destroy or deface the seal so it cannot be misused (Correct answer)
- Donate it to the county clerk's office for record-keeping
- Keep it indefinitely as personal property
Correct answer: Destroy or deface the seal so it cannot be misused
When an Illinois notary's commission expires or they resign, they must destroy or deface their official seal to prevent unauthorized use. This protects the public from fraudulent notarizations after the commission ends.
Question 5: An employer purchases an official seal for an employee who is a commissioned Illinois notary. Upon the employee's resignation from the company, who has the right to keep the seal?
- The employer, because they paid for it
- The notary employee, because the seal is personal to their commission (Correct answer)
- Either party, depending on a written agreement signed at hire
- The Illinois Secretary of State, who must collect it
Correct answer: The notary employee, because the seal is personal to their commission
Under Illinois law, the official seal belongs to the notary personally, not to the employer who may have purchased it. Because the commission and authority are vested in the individual, the seal follows the notary.
Question 6: Which statement correctly describes the ink color requirements for an Illinois notary rubber stamp seal?
- Only black ink is permitted to ensure document legibility
- Only blue ink is permitted to distinguish original documents from photocopies
- Illinois law does not specify a required ink color for the stamp seal (Correct answer)
- Red or purple ink is required for maximum visibility on official records
Correct answer: Illinois law does not specify a required ink color for the stamp seal
Illinois statutes do not mandate a specific ink color for the notary stamp seal. The primary requirement is that the impression be legible and reproducible. Notaries should use colors that photograph and photocopy clearly.
IL Notary - Illinois Notary Exam Official Seal and Stamp Specifications and Security 1
What is the required shape of an Illinois notary public's official seal?