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Key Facts: Illinois Notary Exam
4 years
Illinois resident notary commission term
Illinois Notary Public Act, 5 ILCS 312/2-101; Illinois Notary Public Handbook, March 2026 (checked 2026-10-19)
$5,000
Surety bond required for a traditional Illinois notary
5 ILCS 312/2-105; 14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.340 (checked 2026-10-19)
$5 / $25
Maximum fee per traditional act and per electronic act
5 ILCS 312/3-104 (checked 2026-10-19)
85%
Passing score on the required 50-question Illinois notary course exam
14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.235(c) (checked 2026-10-19)
7 years
Minimum retention period for an Illinois notary tangible journal
14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.920(g) (checked 2026-10-19)
Jan 1, 2024
Date the course of study and exam became mandatory for new and renewing Illinois notaries
14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.205 (checked 2026-10-19)
Illinois notary commissions run for a 4-year term and are issued by the Secretary of State. Applicants must be 18+, have resided in Illinois 30 days, complete an approved 3-hour course, and pass its 50-question exam with at least 85%. A $5,000 surety bond is required ($25,000 added for remote/electronic notaries, or $30,000 combined), and maximum fees are $5 per traditional act and $25 per electronic act.
Sample Illinois Notary Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Illinois Notary exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 214+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which authority appoints and commissions notaries public in Illinois?
2How long is the term of a resident Illinois notary public commission?
3What is the minimum age to become an Illinois notary public?
4To qualify as a resident Illinois notary, an applicant must have resided in Illinois for how long before applying?
5Which of the following would disqualify an applicant from becoming an Illinois notary public?
6Effective January 1, 2024, what must new and renewing Illinois notary applicants complete before being commissioned?
7Does Illinois require notary applicants to pass a written examination, and if so, what is the passing score?
8Who may be exempt from the Illinois notary course and exam when renewing a commission?
9What surety bond amount must a traditional (non-electronic) Illinois notary obtain?
10A notary who performs remote or electronic notarizations by audio-video communication must maintain a surety bond of what amount?
About the Illinois Notary Exam
The Illinois Notary Public Commission authorizes you to perform notarial acts statewide under the Illinois Notary Public Act (5 ILCS 312). Since January 1, 2024, new and renewing applicants must complete an approved 3-hour course and pass a course exam, file a surety bond, and take the oath of office.
Exam sponsor: Illinois Secretary of State (Index Department). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
50 questions
Time Limit
No exam time limit set in the rules; the course requires at least 180 minutes (3 hours) of instruction
Passing Score
85% on the approved course-completion exam
Exam / Certification Fees
$15 application filing fee for a notary public commission ($40 for notary plus electronic notary; $25 to add electronic notary), payable to the Illinois Secretary of State
Exam sponsor websiteFees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Qualifications & Commissioning
Age 18+, U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, 30-day Illinois residency, no felony, the 4-year term, application and oath, and the mandatory 3-hour course plus 85% exam effective January 1, 2024.
Authorized Notarial Acts & Certificate Wording
Acknowledgments versus jurats, oaths and affirmations, copy certifications, representative capacity, statewide authority, and signature by direction under 5 ILCS 312.
Identification & Personal Appearance
The personal-appearance rule, satisfactory evidence of identity, acceptable government-issued IDs, and use of a credible identifying witness.
Journal, Seal & Fees
The mandatory journal and its required and prohibited fields, 7-year retention, the rectangular rubber-stamp seal, $5 and $25 maximum fees, and itemized receipts.
Remote & Electronic Notarization
Electronic notary commissions, the $25,000/$30,000 bonds, approved electronic notarization system providers, identity proofing, audio-video recordings, and remote notarization by audio-video communication with a physical seal.
Prohibited Acts, UPL & Discipline
Conflicts of interest and beneficial interest, unauthorized practice of law, the notario prohibition, advertising disclosures, penalties, liability, and revocation.
Preparing for the Illinois Notary Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 85% on the approved course-completion exam
- Exam length: 50 questions
- Time limit: No exam time limit set in the rules; the course requires at least 180 minutes (3 hours) of instruction
- Exam / certification fees: $15 application filing fee for a notary public commission ($40 for notary plus electronic notary; $25 to add electronic notary), payable to the Illinois Secretary of State Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 214 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
Illinois Notary: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Illinois require a notary exam?
Yes. Since January 1, 2024, new and renewing applicants must complete a Secretary of State-approved 3-hour course and pass that provider's 50-question final exam with a score of at least 85%. There is no single state-run testing-center exam. A renewing applicant who is a licensed attorney in good standing, a current Illinois or federal judge, or an employee of an attorney or court can skip the course and exam by filing a signed statement.
How long is an Illinois notary commission and who issues it?
The Illinois Secretary of State issues resident notary commissions for a 4-year term. Qualifying nonresidents from a bordering state receive a 1-year term.
What bond do Illinois notaries need?
A $5,000 surety bond is required for traditional notaries. Notaries who perform remote or electronic notarizations must add a $25,000 bond, and a single $30,000 bond satisfies both. An errors-and-omissions policy is optional and cannot replace the surety bond.
What can an Illinois notary charge per notarial act?
The maximum fee is $5 for a traditional notarial act and $25 for an electronic notarial act. Fees are optional up to that cap, and notaries must provide itemized receipts listing notarial fees separately. Since January 1, 2026, no fee may be charged for notarizing a Secretary of State Homeless Status Certification form (P.A. 104-83).
Is remote online notarization legal in Illinois?
Yes. Public Act 102-0160 (in effect since June 5, 2023) authorizes two methods. Remote notarization by audio-video communication uses your physical seal, requires the signer to be physically located in Illinois and a $25,000 bond on top of the $5,000 bond (or one $30,000 bond), and must be noted on the certificate; the signer or designee preserves that recording for at least 3 years. Electronic notarization requires an electronic notary commission and an approved electronic notarization system provider, and the electronic notary keeps audio-video recordings for at least 7 years.
Do Illinois notaries have to keep a journal?
Yes. Since 2023, every Illinois notary must keep a journal of each notarial act (paper or electronic) and retain a tangible journal for at least 7 years. The journal belongs to the notary and may not be surrendered to an employer.