IL Notary IL-Notary Maximum Allowable Fees and Fee Schedule Display 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Where must an Illinois notary who charges fees display their fee schedule?
- Only on their notary seal
- In a conspicuous place in the area where notarial acts are performed (Correct answer)
- In a sealed envelope provided to the Secretary of State
- On a website registered with the state
Correct answer: In a conspicuous place in the area where notarial acts are performed
Illinois law requires that a notary's fee schedule be conspicuously posted in the area where the notary performs acts.
Question 2: A notary performs all notarizations from a mobile location with no fixed office. What does Illinois law require regarding the fee schedule in this situation?
- No fee schedule is required for mobile notaries
- The fee schedule must be shown to the signer upon request before performing the act (Correct answer)
- The fee schedule must be filed only with the county clerk
- Mobile notaries are prohibited from charging any fee
Correct answer: The fee schedule must be shown to the signer upon request before performing the act
When there is no fixed posting location, an Illinois notary must make the fee schedule available to the signer before performing the notarial act.
Question 3: An Illinois notary who does NOT charge a fee for notarial acts:
- Must still post a fee schedule showing $0
- Is not required to post a fee schedule (Correct answer)
- Must file a fee waiver annually with the Secretary of State
- Must charge at least $1 to comply with the fee schedule display requirement
Correct answer: Is not required to post a fee schedule
The fee schedule posting requirement applies only to notaries who charge fees; those who notarize for free have no posting obligation.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes the purpose of the fee schedule display requirement?
- To allow the state to collect a percentage of notary fees
- To ensure signers are informed of costs before the notarization occurs (Correct answer)
- To prevent notaries from working in multiple counties
- To standardize the font size used on notary seals
Correct answer: To ensure signers are informed of costs before the notarization occurs
Requiring visible fee schedules gives signers transparency about costs so they can make informed decisions before proceeding.
Question 5: What maximum fee may an Illinois notary charge to notarize a document using remote online notarization (RON) technology?
- $5
- $10
- $15
- $25 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: $25
Illinois law permits a maximum fee of $25 per act for remote online notarizations to account for technology and platform costs.
Question 6: A signer pays an Illinois notary $5 for an acknowledgment and then requests a certified copy. The notary performs both acts. What is the maximum total charge?
- $5 total, since the signer already paid
- $10 total, as each notarial act has its own $5 cap (Correct answer)
- $15 total, because a certified copy counts as two acts
- $25 total, because certified copies use electronic processes
Correct answer: $10 total, as each notarial act has its own $5 cap
Each distinct notarial act carries its own $5 maximum, so two acts may be charged up to $10 combined.
Question 7: Can an Illinois notary add a separate 'travel fee' on top of the $5 per-act maximum?
- Yes, travel fees are expressly allowed and unlimited
- Yes, but the travel fee may not exceed $5
- Travel fees are not addressed in the Notary Public Act, so notaries should consult local counsel before charging them (Correct answer)
- No, only the per-act fee is authorized under the Illinois Notary Public Act
Correct answer: Travel fees are not addressed in the Notary Public Act, so notaries should consult local counsel before charging them
The Illinois Notary Public Act addresses only the per-act fee; travel or convenience charges are not expressly authorized or prohibited, so notaries should seek legal guidance.
IL Notary IL-Notary Maximum Allowable Fees and Fee Schedule Display 3
Where must an Illinois notary who charges fees display their fee schedule?