How to become a Notary Public in Illinois
Becoming a Notary Public in the State of Illinois requires meeting the basic eligibility requirements, obtaining a $5,000 notary bond, filling out an application, paying a filing fee, and purchasing a stamp. After reviewing your application, bond, and Oath of Office, the Illinois Secretary of State will mail your commission to your County Clerk's office. Once the County Clerk records your commission, your appointment as a Notary Public for the State of Illinois will be complete.
A Notary Public is an individual who acts as a witness on behalf of the state, by witnessing the signature and/or oath of a person who is filling out important documents. The Notary Public confirms the identity of the signer or oath taker, usually via a photo identification card, such as a driver's license, and then signing and stamping with an official seal to confirm that the signature on the page was written by the person whose identity the signature represents. According to the Illinois Secretary of State, the purpose of the Notary Public's duties is to prevent forgery and fraud. The Notary's signature and seal turn an ordinary document into an official, state-witnessed legal document. Notary Publics often charge a fee for this service, and therefore, becoming a Notary Public can give you a viable side job.
According to the Illinois Secretary of State, Illinois commissioned notaries must be United States citizens or aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residents, have been an Illinois resident or employed within state borders for at least thirty days, be at least eighteen years old, be literate in English, have no felony convictions on their records, and have not had a notary commissions revoked within the past ten years. Applicants who meet all these requirements then fill out an application, which can be downloaded from the Secretary of State's website, and sign an Oath of Office. A $5,000 notary bond is also required, which can be obtained from a bonding or surety company qualified to write surety bonds in the State of Illinois. Try your local insurance agent, if you're not sure where to start. A $10 filing fee is required to submit an application to the Secretary of State.
So, if you wish to become a Notary Public in the State of Illinois, visit the Secretary of State's website. Download and complete the application and Oath of Office. Obtain a $5,000 notary bond from an insurance provider or other bonding or surety company. Collect the application, Oath of Office, and bond, and submit the package, along with a $10 filing fee, to the Secretary of State's office. So long as you meet the eligibility requirements, your commission will be sent to your local County Clerk's office. For more information about the steps it takes to receive your appointment after your commission is sent, contact your local County Clerk's office.
