IL Notary Notary Journal Record-Keeping Standards 2

Question 1

What information must an Illinois notary record in their journal for each notarial act?

Accepted Answer

Date, type of act, document type, signer's name, ID method, and fee charged

Answer

Only the signer's name and date

Answer

A photocopy of the document notarized

Answer

The signer's social security number and address

Question 2

Is an electronic notary journal permitted in Illinois?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if it meets statutory requirements for security and tamper-evidence

Answer

No, only bound paper journals are permitted

Answer

Yes, any spreadsheet application is acceptable

Answer

Only for RON transactions

Question 3

How long must an Illinois notary retain their journal after their commission expires?

Accepted Answer

The journal must be maintained for the legally required retention period

Answer

They may destroy it immediately

Answer

5 years

Answer

7 years

Question 4

A court issues a subpoena for an Illinois notary's journal. What must the notary do?

Accepted Answer

Comply with the subpoena and produce the journal

Answer

Refuse because journal contents are confidential

Answer

Produce only the specific entry, not the entire journal

Answer

Contact the Secretary of State before responding

Question 5

What should an Illinois notary do if they make an error in a journal entry?

Accepted Answer

Draw a single line through the error and initial it

Answer

Use white-out to correct the error

Answer

Remove the page and rewrite it

Answer

Leave it uncorrected and note the error separately

Question 6

Can an Illinois notary allow someone else to make entries in their journal?

Accepted Answer

No, only the notary may make entries in their own journal

Answer

Yes, a trained office assistant may make entries

Answer

Yes, if the notary reviews and signs each entry

Answer

Yes, but only the notary's employer