IL NOTARY Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield IL NOTARY facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Before performing their first electronic notarization, an Illinois notary must: → Notify the Secretary of State and identify their chosen technology provider
2. An Illinois notary is asked to provide legal advice about the document being notarized. What is the correct response? → Decline and suggest the signer consult an attorney
3. With which Illinois state office must a notary's commission and bond be filed? → The Illinois Secretary of State
4. If an Illinois notary's surety bond expires before the commission term ends, what happens? → The commission automatically becomes void
5. Where must an Illinois notary who charges fees display their fee schedule? → In a conspicuous place in the area where notarial acts are performed
6. How should an error in a handwritten notary journal entry be properly corrected? → Draw a single line through the error and write the correct information nearby
7. For a jurat to be valid in Illinois, which action by the notary is mandatory? → Personally administering the oath or affirmation at the time of signing
8. An Illinois notary is presented with a document that has no notarial certificate. What should they do? → Add the appropriate notarial certificate based on the signer's needs
9. How long must an Illinois RON notary retain electronic journals and audio-video recordings of notarial sessions? → 10 years
10. Can an Illinois notary charge different fees for different types of notarial acts? → Yes, as long as each fee does not exceed the maximum
11. What type of electronic signature technology must be used in Illinois RON? → A digital signature attached to a certificate from a trusted authority
12. What is the proper way to handle a journal when an Illinois notary has multiple commissions (e.g., notary and RON)? → Maintain separate journals for each type of commission
13. Under Illinois law, a notary is prohibited from certifying copies of which type of document? → Vital records such as birth, death, or marriage certificates issued by government agencies
14. Which ink color is most commonly required or recommended for Illinois notary ink stamps to ensure legibility on photocopies? → Blue or black
15. What is required to renew an Illinois notary commission before it expires? → Submitting a new application, bond, and oath of office
16. In Illinois, which notarial act is most appropriate for a sworn statement to be used as evidence in a legal proceeding? → Jurat
17. Under Illinois law, which of the following individuals is NOT legally capable of making an oath or affirmation before a notary? → A person who is unconscious or severely incapacitated at the time
18. In Illinois, which of the following documents requires the notary to include the notarial certificate in their journal? → A document that requires an acknowledgment
19. What continuing education requirements does Illinois impose on commissioned notaries? → Illinois does not currently require continuing education for standard notaries
20. In Illinois electronic notarization, what replaces the traditional ink stamp or embossed seal? → An electronic seal that is tamper-evident and uniquely linked to the notary
21. Which of the following is a requirement to be eligible for an Illinois notary commission? → Must be at least 18 years of age
22. An Illinois notary changes their legal name during their commission term. What must they do? → Notify the Secretary of State and obtain an updated commission
23. What is the maximum fee an Illinois notary public can charge for a single, traditional in-person notarial act? → $5.00
24. What must an Illinois notary do if they legally change their name during their commission term? → Apply for a new commission reflecting the new name
25. Can an Illinois notary allow someone else to make entries in their journal? → No, only the notary may make entries in their own journal
26. An Illinois notary moves out of state permanently during their commission term. What must they do? → Their commission becomes void and they must resign
27. An Illinois notary resigns their commission voluntarily. What should they do with their notary seal? → Destroy or deface it so it cannot be misused
28. What language in a notarial certificate indicates an acknowledgment rather than a jurat? → 'Acknowledged before me' or 'personally appeared and acknowledged'
29. What should an Illinois notary do if a document is presented for notarization but is incomplete? → Refuse to notarize the document until it is properly completed
30. An Illinois notary public's surety bond must be obtained from which type of entity? → A company authorized to write surety bonds in Illinois