Illinois Notary Public Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A title company sends a document with both an acknowledgment certificate and a jurat certificate attached. What should the notary do?

Complete both certificates for extra security
Ask the signer which one they prefer
Contact the title company or the document's requesting party to clarify which is needed (Correct answer)
Complete the acknowledgment since it is simpler

Correct answer: Contact the title company or the document's requesting party to clarify which is needed

The notary should contact the requesting party to clarify which notarial act is required.

Question 2: Regarding the security of the official seal, who is legally permitted to be in possession of it?

Only the notary public to whom it was issued (Correct answer)
Any manager in the notary's department
The notary's employer, if they paid for the seal
A designated administrative assistant in the notary's office

Correct answer: Only the notary public to whom it was issued

A notary's seal is their exclusive property and responsibility, regardless of who paid for it. The notary must keep the seal in their sole control and possession to prevent any possibility of unauthorized or fraudulent use.

Question 3: How long must an Illinois RON notary retain electronic journals and audio-video recordings of notarial sessions?

3 years
10 years (Correct answer)
5 years
1 year

Correct answer: 10 years

Under Illinois RON rules, electronic journals and audio-video recordings must be retained for 10 years after the date of the notarial act.

Question 4: Under what circumstances may an Illinois RON session recording be disclosed to a third party?

To the RON platform provider for employee training and quality review
To any member of the public who submits a written request
Only to the notary who conducted the session
To law enforcement or a court pursuant to a lawful subpoena or court order (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To law enforcement or a court pursuant to a lawful subpoena or court order

RON recordings are confidential and may be disclosed only in response to a lawful subpoena or court order, not for general or commercial purposes.

Question 5: How does Illinois law define a 'notarial act'?

Any document signed by a notary
A specific act authorized by the Notary Public Act including acknowledgments, oaths, and jurats (Correct answer)
Any action taken by a notary during business hours
Any service a notary charges a fee for

Correct answer: A specific act authorized by the Notary Public Act including acknowledgments, oaths, and jurats

A notarial act is one of the specific acts authorized by the Illinois Notary Public Act.

Question 6: What type of instrument is required for maintaining an Illinois notary journal?

A digital spreadsheet stored on the employer's server
A permanently bound book with sequentially numbered pages (Correct answer)
Any notebook, including loose-leaf binders, as long as entries are dated
A pre-printed government-issued form obtained from the Secretary of State

Correct answer: A permanently bound book with sequentially numbered pages

Illinois requires the journal to be a permanently bound book with sequentially numbered pages. This format prevents pages from being added, removed, or rearranged, preserving the integrity of the record.

Question 7: What is the notary's responsibility regarding a signer's mental capacity?

The notary has no responsibility regarding mental capacity
The notary must obtain a doctor's certificate of competency
The notary should be satisfied the signer is aware of what they are signing (Correct answer)
The notary must administer a competency test

Correct answer: The notary should be satisfied the signer is aware of what they are signing

Illinois notaries should be reasonably satisfied the signer is aware of what they are signing.

Question 8: If a traditional Illinois notary who voluntarily kept a journal has their commission expire, what should they do with the journal?

Destroy it promptly to protect principal confidentiality
Transfer custody to the county clerk's office for archiving
Retain it personally, as it remains their property and historical record (Correct answer)
Submit it immediately to the Illinois Secretary of State

Correct answer: Retain it personally, as it remains their property and historical record

A notary's journal remains their personal property even after commission expiration, and they should retain it in case it is ever needed as evidence.

Question 9: What law governs electronic notarization in Illinois?

There is no law governing electronic notarization in Illinois
The Uniform Electronic Transactions Act only
The federal ESIGN Act only
The Illinois Electronic Notarization Act (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The Illinois Electronic Notarization Act

The Illinois Electronic Notarization Act specifically governs electronic notarization.

Question 10: What information must appear in an Illinois notary's official seal?

Name, license number, and state seal
Name, commission number, and expiration date only
Name, employer, and city of practice
Name, 'Notary Public', 'State of Illinois', and county of commission (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Name, 'Notary Public', 'State of Illinois', and county of commission

The Illinois Notary Public Act requires the seal to include the notary's name, the words 'Notary Public', 'State of Illinois', and the county where commissioned.

Question 11: Can an Illinois notary perform notarial acts on Sundays and holidays?

Yes, there are no day-of-week restrictions on notarial acts (Correct answer)
Only for emergency situations
No, notarial acts are only valid on business days
Only with special permission from the Secretary of State

Correct answer: Yes, there are no day-of-week restrictions on notarial acts

Illinois law does not restrict notarial acts to specific days.

Question 12: An Illinois notary's employer demands the notary hand over the official seal at the end of each workday. Is this permissible?

Yes, the employer owns the seal because they paid for it
No, the seal belongs solely to the notary and must remain in the notary's custody (Correct answer)
Yes, if both parties sign a written agreement
Yes, but only if the notary works for a government agency

Correct answer: No, the seal belongs solely to the notary and must remain in the notary's custody

The official seal is the property of the notary personally, regardless of who paid for it, and must remain under the notary's exclusive control.

Question 13: If an Illinois notary changes their name, what must happen to their seal?

Add a sticker with the new name over the old one
Continue using the old seal until it wears out
File a name change notice with the seal vendor
Obtain a new seal with the updated name and destroy the old seal (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Obtain a new seal with the updated name and destroy the old seal

When a notary's legal name changes, they must obtain a new seal and destroy the old one.

Question 14: Under Illinois law, can a notary be held personally liable for damages caused by improper notarization?

No, the bond covers all liability
Only for amounts under $5,000
Only if criminal charges are also filed
Yes, a notary can be held personally liable beyond the bond amount (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Yes, a notary can be held personally liable beyond the bond amount

An Illinois notary can be held personally liable beyond the bond amount.

Question 15: Can an Illinois notary notarize a document written in a language they do not understand?

Only if a certified translator is present
Yes, as long as the notary can communicate with the signer and identify the notarial certificate (Correct answer)
Only for commonly spoken languages
No, the notary must be able to read the document

Correct answer: Yes, as long as the notary can communicate with the signer and identify the notarial certificate

An Illinois notary may notarize a foreign-language document if they can communicate with the signer and identify the notarial certificate.

Question 16: What should an Illinois notary do if a document is presented for notarization but is incomplete?

Notarize the document as long as the signature is on it
Notarize the document and make a note in the journal about its incompleteness
Notarize the document and let the signer complete it later
Refuse to notarize the document until it is properly completed (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Refuse to notarize the document until it is properly completed

A notary's role is to verify signatures and administer oaths, not to draft or complete documents. Notarizing an incomplete document could facilitate fraud or lead to legal issues if information is added later without the signer's knowledge. Therefore, an Illinois notary must refuse to notarize until all blanks are filled in and the document is fully prepared for signing.

Question 17: If an Illinois notary moves to a different county within Illinois, what must they do?

Nothing — the commission remains valid statewide until renewal
Apply for a brand-new commission immediately
Notify the Secretary of State and file a new oath with the clerk of the new county (Correct answer)
File a new oath with the new county's clerk only

Correct answer: Notify the Secretary of State and file a new oath with the clerk of the new county

When a notary changes their county of residence, they must notify the Secretary of State and file a new oath of office with the clerk of their new county.

Question 18: How long is the term of commission for an Illinois notary public?

1 year
2 years
6 years
4 years (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 4 years

In Illinois, a notary public commission is valid for a term of four years. After this period, the notary must reapply and meet all current requirements to renew their commission. This ensures that notaries remain up-to-date with legal requirements and continue to be authorized to perform notarial acts.

Question 19: An Illinois notary is asked to notarize a document with visible alterations (crossed-out text, handwritten additions). How should they proceed?

Refuse to notarize any altered document
Ignore the alterations and proceed normally
Require the document to be retyped
Have the signer initial all alterations before notarizing (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Have the signer initial all alterations before notarizing

The signer should initial and date each alteration before notarization.

Question 20: Can an Illinois notary charge extra for notarizing documents outside regular business hours?

Yes, up to double the standard maximum
No, the maximum fee applies regardless of when the service is performed (Correct answer)
Only on weekends and holidays
Yes, after-hours surcharges are permitted above the fee cap

Correct answer: No, the maximum fee applies regardless of when the service is performed

The statutory maximum fee applies to all notarial acts regardless of when they are performed.

Question 21: Which Illinois government authority issues notary commissions and maintains oversight authority over Illinois notaries public?

The Illinois Supreme Court, which oversees all public officer commissions statewide
The Illinois Secretary of State, who issues commissions, maintains records, and may revoke commissions for cause (Correct answer)
County clerks, who administer and renew commissions at the local level
The Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, which has exclusive disciplinary authority

Correct answer: The Illinois Secretary of State, who issues commissions, maintains records, and may revoke commissions for cause

The Illinois Secretary of State is the commissioning authority for all Illinois notaries and holds the power to deny, suspend, or revoke commissions.

Question 22: Which document serves as an Illinois notary's official proof of authority to perform notarial acts?

The notary's government-issued personal ID
The commission certificate issued by the Secretary of State (Correct answer)
The oath filed with the county clerk
The notary's surety bond certificate

Correct answer: The commission certificate issued by the Secretary of State

The commission certificate issued by the Illinois Secretary of State is the official document authorizing the holder to perform notarial acts.

Question 23: When performing a verification upon oath or affirmation (jurat) in Illinois, what step is mandatory before the signer signs the document?

The notary must administer an oath or affirmation to the signer (Correct answer)
The notary must verify the document's legal accuracy
The notary must affix the seal to the document first
The notary must obtain approval from the document preparer

Correct answer: The notary must administer an oath or affirmation to the signer

A jurat requires the notary to administer an oath or affirmation before the signer signs, making the signature a sworn act.

Question 24: Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a valid acknowledgment in Illinois?

The signer must personally appear before the notary at the time of notarization
The notary must identify the signer through acceptable means
The notary must administer an oath affirming the truthfulness of the document's statements (Correct answer)
The signer must acknowledge that the signature on the document is their own

Correct answer: The notary must administer an oath affirming the truthfulness of the document's statements

Acknowledgments do not involve an oath or affirmation about the truthfulness of the document's contents — that is the hallmark of a jurat. An acknowledgment only requires personal appearance, signer identification, and the signer's acknowledgment of their signature.

Question 25: An Illinois notary is asked to witness a signature. What does this require?

The notary reads the document and approves its contents
The notary watches the person sign the document (Correct answer)
The notary signs the document alongside the person
The notary takes a photograph of the signing

Correct answer: The notary watches the person sign the document

Witnessing a signature means the notary observes the person sign the document.

Question 26: Can the Illinois Secretary of State revoke a notary's commission? Under what circumstances?

Only after three formal complaints
Yes, for misconduct, fraud, or violations of the Notary Public Act (Correct answer)
Never; only a court can revoke a commission
Only if the notary requests it

Correct answer: Yes, for misconduct, fraud, or violations of the Notary Public Act

The Secretary of State has authority to revoke a commission for misconduct, fraud, or violations.

Question 27: An Illinois notary notarizes her own signature on a power of attorney naming herself as agent. This act is:

Fine as long as a second notary countersigns
Valid if the notary discloses her role as agent in the notarial certificate
Permissible for powers of attorney under $10,000
Prohibited because a notary cannot notarize her own signature (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Prohibited because a notary cannot notarize her own signature

Self-notarization—notarizing one's own signature—is expressly prohibited under Illinois law regardless of the document type.

Question 28: Under what circumstances can the Illinois Secretary of State revoke a notary commission?

If the notary performs notarial acts improperly, commits misconduct, or was ineligible at the time of application (Correct answer)
Only if the notary commits a federal crime
Only if the notary's surety bond lapses before renewal
Only if the notary permanently moves out of Illinois

Correct answer: If the notary performs notarial acts improperly, commits misconduct, or was ineligible at the time of application

The Secretary of State has authority to revoke, suspend, or censure a notary for misconduct, negligence, improper acts, or discovery that the notary was ineligible when commissioned.

Question 29: An Illinois notary is asked to certify a true copy of a document. The maximum fee for this notarial act is:

$10, because copying incurs additional effort
$5, the same as all in-person notarial acts (Correct answer)
$25, equivalent to a remote online notarization
$1, because copy certifications are a lesser service

Correct answer: $5, the same as all in-person notarial acts

Certifying a true copy is an in-person notarial act subject to the same $5 per-act maximum as other standard acts.

Question 30: If an Illinois notary's fee schedule is not conspicuously posted but the notary is charging fees, this failure is best characterized as:

A potential violation of the Illinois Notary Public Act's fee disclosure requirements (Correct answer)
Permissible if the signer signs a fee waiver
A minor administrative oversight with no legal significance
Grounds for immediate criminal prosecution

Correct answer: A potential violation of the Illinois Notary Public Act's fee disclosure requirements

Failing to post a fee schedule when charging fees violates the transparency requirements of the Illinois Notary Public Act and may constitute misconduct.

Question 31: In Illinois, what wording must the notary use to properly close an oath administered for an affidavit?

The notary instructs the signer to initial each page before swearing
'So help you God?' — to which the affiant replies 'I do' or 'I swear' (Correct answer)
The notary reads the full affidavit aloud to the affiant
The notary simply signs the jurat without verbal words

Correct answer: 'So help you God?' — to which the affiant replies 'I do' or 'I swear'

A proper oath ceremony requires the notary to verbally pose the oath question and receive an affirmative spoken response from the affiant.

Question 32: What information must the venue in an Illinois notarial certificate state?

The signer's county of residence
The notary's county of commission
The state and county where the notarial act was performed (Correct answer)
The county where the document will be recorded

Correct answer: The state and county where the notarial act was performed

The venue identifies the state and county where the notarial act actually took place, not where the notary is commissioned or the signer resides.

Question 33: A document says 'Subscribed and sworn to before me.' What type of notarial act does this indicate?

A protest
A jurat (Correct answer)
A copy certification
An acknowledgment

Correct answer: A jurat

'Subscribed and sworn to before me' is the standard wording for a jurat.

Question 34: According to Illinois law, which of the following pieces of information is NOT required to be recorded in a notary's journal for every notarial act?

The signer's driver's license number. (Correct answer)
The fee charged, if any.
The date of the notarization.
The title or a description of the document notarized.

Correct answer: The signer's driver's license number.

While Illinois law requires notaries to maintain a journal with specific details for each notarial act, it explicitly prohibits recording identification numbers from government-issued IDs like a driver's license. Required entries include the principal's name, date, document description, fee charged, and location of the notarization.

Question 35: A document is already signed when the signer brings it to you. For which notarial act can you proceed without requiring the signer to sign again in your presence?

Acknowledgment (Correct answer)
Signature Witnessing
None, the signer must always sign in the notary's presence.
Jurat

Correct answer: Acknowledgment

For an acknowledgment, the signer only needs to appear before the notary and acknowledge that the existing signature on the document is theirs and was made willingly. For a jurat or signature witnessing, the document must be signed in the notary's presence.

Question 36: What continuing education requirements does Illinois impose on commissioned notaries?

20 hours every two years
10 hours annually
A refresher course before each renewal
Illinois does not currently require continuing education for standard notaries (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Illinois does not currently require continuing education for standard notaries

Illinois does not currently impose mandatory continuing education for standard notaries.

Question 37: When an Illinois notary renews their commission, what should happen to the journal from the previous commission period?

It must be submitted to the Secretary of State before the renewal is finalized
It must be destroyed to protect the privacy of principals from the old term
It automatically rolls over and merges into the records for the new commission
It should be retained separately as an ongoing historical record of past acts (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It should be retained separately as an ongoing historical record of past acts

Old journals must be retained separately from any new journal to preserve the complete historical record of notarial acts from that commission period.

Question 38: When presented with a document for notarization, what is the first thing an Illinois notary should verify?

That the document has been filed with the county
That the signer is personally present before the notary (Correct answer)
That the document has been spell-checked
That the document was prepared by an attorney

Correct answer: That the signer is personally present before the notary

The first requirement is that the signer must be personally present.

Question 39: A notary is presented with a document that contains obvious blank spaces intended to be completed after notarization. The signer insists the blanks will be filled in later. What should the notary do?

Notarize immediately since it is the signer's responsibility
Notarize and attach a note describing the blank spaces
Notarize only if the document value is under $500
Refuse to notarize until all material blanks are completed (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Refuse to notarize until all material blanks are completed

Notarizing a document with material blank spaces exposes the document to fraudulent alterations; Illinois notaries should refuse until blanks are filled.

Question 40: May an Illinois electronic notary share their journal access credentials with a colleague or supervisor?

Yes, but only for backup and disaster-recovery purposes
Yes, if both individuals are commissioned notaries in Illinois
Yes, with prior written approval from the Secretary of State
No, the journal is the individual notary's sole responsibility (Correct answer)

Correct answer: No, the journal is the individual notary's sole responsibility

The electronic journal is a personal professional record; its credentials must never be shared with any other person.

Question 41: In Illinois, for which type of notarial act is a notary PUBLIC required by law to keep a journal record?

Only for real estate transactions.
For all notarial acts.
For acknowledgments and jurats on paper documents.
For any notarization involving an electronic signature or document. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: For any notarization involving an electronic signature or document.

While keeping a journal for all acts is a best practice, Illinois law specifically mandates it for notaries who perform electronic notarizations. For traditional paper notarizations, a journal is strongly recommended but not required by law for a standard notary public.

Question 42: What language in a notarial certificate indicates an acknowledgment rather than a jurat?

'Witnessed and attested by me'
'Certified true copy'
'Acknowledged before me' or 'personally appeared and acknowledged' (Correct answer)
'Subscribed and sworn to before me'

Correct answer: 'Acknowledged before me' or 'personally appeared and acknowledged'

Acknowledgment certificates use language such as 'acknowledged before me'.

Question 43: Can a document be signed before the signer appears before the notary for an acknowledgment?

Yes, for an acknowledgment the document may have been pre-signed (Correct answer)
Only if the signer brings a witness who saw them sign
Only for real estate documents
No, all signatures must be witnessed by the notary

Correct answer: Yes, for an acknowledgment the document may have been pre-signed

Unlike a jurat, an acknowledgment allows pre-signing.

Question 44: In Illinois, what essential action must a notary take during the oath ceremony itself to make it legally valid?

Record the signer's voice on an audio device as proof
Require a witness to be present and co-sign the oath form
Verbally administer the oath so the signer can respond aloud (Correct answer)
Have the signer sign the document twice — before and after the oath

Correct answer: Verbally administer the oath so the signer can respond aloud

A valid oath in Illinois requires the notary to verbally pose the oath and the signer to respond orally. Silent signing alone does not constitute a proper oath ceremony — the spoken exchange is the legally operative act.

Question 45: When must an Illinois notary complete and submit their bond to the Secretary of State?

Within 60 days after the end of their commission term
Within 30 days of receiving their commission
After their commission has been approved
Before taking the oath of office (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Before taking the oath of office

In Illinois, a notary public must obtain and submit a surety bond to the Secretary of State's office as part of the commissioning process. This bond must be filed before the notary takes their oath of office. It serves as a prerequisite to becoming officially commissioned and authorized to perform notarial acts, providing financial protection to the public.

Question 46: A signer's government-issued photo ID has expired. Can the Illinois notary accept it?

Yes, the photo still identifies the person
Yes, if it expired within the last 6 months
No, expired identification is not acceptable for notarization (Correct answer)
Only if accompanied by a secondary form of ID

Correct answer: No, expired identification is not acceptable for notarization

Illinois notaries should not accept expired identification documents.

Question 47: Which of the following is NOT a required element for a valid oath administered by an Illinois notary?

The signer must be in the notary's presence at the time of the oath
The notary must verbally pose the oath to the signer
The signer must respond affirmatively, such as saying 'I do' or 'I swear'
A third-party witness must co-sign the notarial certificate (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A third-party witness must co-sign the notarial certificate

Illinois does not require a third-party witness to co-sign the certificate when a notary administers an oath. The three required elements are: the signer's presence, the notary's verbal administration, and the signer's affirmative response.

Question 48: A notary who is a credentialed immigration consultant completes Form I-9 employment eligibility verification for an employer and then notarizes related documents. The notarial acts themselves are:

Prohibited because the dual role automatically creates a conflict of interest
Potentially problematic if the notary is compensating others for referrals in connection with the immigration documents (Correct answer)
Valid only if another notary countersigns
Fully permissible with no restrictions

Correct answer: Potentially problematic if the notary is compensating others for referrals in connection with the immigration documents

While some dual roles are permissible, charging fees for immigration document preparation combined with notarial acts can constitute prohibited conduct under Illinois consumer protection rules.

Question 49: If an Illinois notary legally changes their name during their commission term, what must they do?

Apply for an entirely new commission under the new name
File an amended certificate with the county clerk and notify the Secretary of State (Correct answer)
Continue using the old name until commission renewal
Report the change only at the time of renewal

Correct answer: File an amended certificate with the county clerk and notify the Secretary of State

A notary who changes their legal name must file an amended oath with the county clerk and notify the Secretary of State to keep official records current.

Question 50: What must an Illinois notary include in their journal when administering an oath or affirmation?

Only the signer's name
A verbatim transcript of the oath
Nothing; journal entries are optional for oaths
The date, type of act, signer's name, and identification method (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The date, type of act, signer's name, and identification method

Illinois notaries must record the date, type of notarial act, signer's name, and method of identification in their journal for all notarial acts including oaths.

Question 51: A notary in Illinois who administers an oath but fails to actually ask the signer to swear or affirm has committed:

No violation if the document was otherwise complete
Official misconduct that can result in commission revocation (Correct answer)
A minor clerical error requiring only a correction
A civil infraction with a $25 fine

Correct answer: Official misconduct that can result in commission revocation

Executing a jurat without actually administering the oath or affirmation is official misconduct under the Illinois Notary Public Act and can result in loss of commission.

Question 52: In Illinois, which of the following documents requires the notary to include the notarial certificate in their journal?

A real estate deed
A power of attorney
A document that requires an acknowledgment (Correct answer)
A will

Correct answer: A document that requires an acknowledgment

Illinois notary law requires notaries to record specific details in their journal for certain notarial acts, including acknowledgments. The notarial certificate for an acknowledgment, which verifies the signer's identity and voluntary signature, must be included in the journal entry. This ensures a complete and accurate record of the act for accountability and future reference.

Question 53: During a remote online notarization (RON) session, where must the Illinois notary be physically located?

In the same state as the signer
Anywhere in the United States, as long as the platform is approved
In any jurisdiction that has enacted RON legislation
Within the state of Illinois (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Within the state of Illinois

Illinois law requires the notary to be physically located within Illinois at the time of performing a RON. The signer, however, may be located anywhere—domestically or internationally—provided the notary can verify identity through approved means.

Illinois Notary Public Exam

The Illinois Notary Public Exam is a 50-question test required by the Illinois Secretary of State for all new notary applicants. Candidates must score 85% or higher after completing a mandatory 3-hour course of study covering Illinois notary laws, procedures, and ethical responsibilities.

Questions

60 min

Time Limit

85%

To Pass

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These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

ilsos.gov — Renewal, score validity, fees · verified Oct 2026
ilga.gov — Time limit, exam format, passing score, retake policy, eligibility · verified Oct 2026