IL Notary IL-Notary Notary Bond Requirements and Commission Maintenance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: If an Illinois notary changes their residential address, they must notify the Secretary of State within how many days?
- 10 days
- 30 days (Correct answer)
- 60 days
- 90 days
Correct answer: 30 days
Illinois notaries must report address changes to the Secretary of State within 30 days.
Question 2: What must an Illinois notary do if they legally change their name during their commission term?
- Continue using the old name on the commission until renewal
- Apply for a new commission reflecting the new name (Correct answer)
- File an amendment and keep the existing commission number
- Notify only the surety company of the name change
Correct answer: Apply for a new commission reflecting the new name
A legal name change requires the notary to obtain a new commission because the commission is issued in the notary's legal name.
Question 3: To renew an Illinois notary commission, the notary must:
- Submit only proof that the prior bond did not have any claims
- Complete a new application and obtain a new surety bond (Correct answer)
- Pay a renewal fee without reapplying
- Pass a state-administered notary exam
Correct answer: Complete a new application and obtain a new surety bond
Renewal requires submitting a new application and a new $5,000 surety bond for the next four-year term.
Question 4: An Illinois notary who is convicted of a felony during their commission term may have their commission:
- Suspended for 90 days automatically
- Revoked by the Secretary of State (Correct answer)
- Reduced to a limited commission
- Transferred to a co-notary
Correct answer: Revoked by the Secretary of State
A felony conviction is grounds for the Secretary of State to revoke an Illinois notary's commission.
Question 5: An Illinois notary resigns their commission voluntarily. What should they do with their notary seal?
- Keep it as a personal memento
- Destroy or deface it so it cannot be misused (Correct answer)
- Return it to the surety company
- Transfer it to their employer
Correct answer: Destroy or deface it so it cannot be misused
Upon resignation or expiration of a commission, the notary should destroy or deface the seal to prevent unauthorized use.
Question 6: Which of the following is a requirement to be eligible for an Illinois notary commission?
- Must be a licensed attorney
- Must be at least 18 years of age (Correct answer)
- Must own property in Illinois
- Must be a natural-born U.S. citizen
Correct answer: Must be at least 18 years of age
Applicants must be at least 18 years old; there is no requirement to be an attorney or property owner.
Question 7: An Illinois notary's commission is about to expire. How far in advance may they submit a renewal application?
- Up to 6 months before expiration (Correct answer)
- Up to 90 days before expiration
- Only after the current commission expires
- Exactly 30 days before expiration
Correct answer: Up to 6 months before expiration
Illinois allows notaries to submit renewal applications up to six months before their commission expires.
IL Notary IL-Notary Notary Bond Requirements and Commission Maintenance 3
If an Illinois notary changes their residential address, they must notify the Secretary of State within how many days?