Becoming a notary public in Illinois is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to earn extra income, add a credential to your resume, or provide a valuable service to your community. The entire process takes just a few weeks, costs under $100 in most cases, and the commission lasts four years.
This 2026 guide covers everything you need to know — from eligibility requirements and the mandatory 3-hour education course to the surety bond, application process, fees, and how to add Remote Online Notarization (RON) to your commission for even higher earning potential.
Illinois Notary Public 2026: Key Numbers
Why Become a Notary in Illinois?
💰 Notary Income Potential in Illinois (2026)
- Traditional notarizations: Up to $5.00 per act — mortgage signings, affidavits, power of attorney documents
- Loan signing agent: $75–$200 per appointment — the highest-paying use of a notary commission
- Remote Online Notarization (RON): Up to $25.00 per act — notarize documents for clients anywhere in Illinois from your home computer
- Mobile notary: $50–$150+ per appointment — travel to clients at hospitals, law offices, banks, and homes
- Employer benefit: Many employers — banks, law firms, title companies, real estate agencies — pay a premium to hire employees who are commissioned notaries
Illinois Notary Eligibility Requirements (2026)
Before applying, confirm you meet all of the following requirements set by the Illinois Secretary of State:
- Age: Must be at least 18 years old
- Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident
- Residency: Must be an Illinois resident for at least 30 days, OR a resident of a bordering state (Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, or Wisconsin) who has been employed or maintained a business in Illinois for at least 30 days
- Language: Must be able to read and write the English language
- Clean record: Must not have had a prior notary commission or application revoked by the Illinois Secretary of State
- No felony disqualification: Certain felony convictions may disqualify you — a background check is conducted as part of the application process
How to Become a Notary in Illinois: Step-by-Step (2026)
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Complete the required 3-hour notary education course.
Since January 1, 2024, all new and renewing Illinois notary applicants must complete a state-approved 3-hour notary education course and pass an examination with a score of at least 85%. You have 3 attempts to pass the 50-question exam.
Approved courses are available online and can be completed at your own pace. Popular approved providers include the American Association of Notaries (illinoisnotary.com) and the National Notary Association (nationalnotary.org). Courses typically cost $20–$50 and include the exam. Upon passing, you receive a course completion certificate — keep this, as you must upload it with your application.
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Purchase a $5,000 surety bond.
Illinois law requires all notary applicants to purchase a $5,000 surety bond covering the 4-year term of their commission. The bond protects the public from financial harm caused by notary errors or misconduct.
The bond must be issued by an insurance or bonding company licensed to write surety bonds in Illinois. The annual premium for a $5,000 bond is typically just $10–$25 per year — making it one of the most affordable professional bonds available. Purchase your bond from reputable providers like SuretyBonds.com, the NNA, or your local insurance agent. You will receive a signed bond document to upload with your application.
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Submit your application online at ilsos.gov.
Illinois residents must submit their application online through the Illinois Secretary of State’s website at ilsos.gov/departments/index/notary.html. Paper applications are only accepted for applicants who qualify for a hardship exemption.
During the online application you will need to:
- Upload an electronic copy of your signed surety bond
- Upload your course completion certificate
- Upload a legible copy of your Illinois driver’s license or state ID — the name and address must exactly match your application
- Pay the $15 filing fee by credit card or electronic payment
- Complete the notarial oath electronically
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Wait for your commission certificate.
The Illinois Secretary of State’s Index Department processes applications. If approved, they will email you a link to download your notary commission certificate. Processing typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. Online applications are processed faster than paper ones.
Your official commission date is assigned by the Secretary of State’s office — not by your bonding company. You cannot legally notarize documents until you receive and activate your commission.
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Purchase your notary seal (stamp) and journal.
Once you receive your commission certificate, you must purchase two required supplies before you can begin notarizing:
- Notary seal/stamp: Required for all notarial acts. Must meet Illinois SOS specifications including your name, commission number, county, and expiration date. Order from any authorized notary supply vendor. Cost: approximately $15–$30.
- Notary journal: Mandatory in Illinois since June 5, 2023. You must record every notarial act in a bound journal with specific required fields. Cost: approximately $15–$25.
You cannot legally perform notarial acts without both your seal and your journal.
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Begin notarizing — and keep records.
You are now a commissioned Illinois notary public. Record every notarization in your journal immediately after performing it. Illinois law requires you to provide receipts for all fees charged and maintain records of all fees received.
Total Cost to Become an Illinois Notary in 2026
| Item | Cost | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| 3-hour education course + exam | $20–$50 | ✅ Required |
| $5,000 surety bond (4-year premium) | $10–$25/year (~$40–$100 total) | ✅ Required |
| State application filing fee | $15 | ✅ Required |
| Notary seal / stamp | $15–$30 | ✅ Required |
| Notary journal | $15–$25 | ✅ Required |
| Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance | $20–$40 (bundled with bond) | ❌ Optional but recommended |
| Estimated Total | $75–$165 |
Illinois Notary Fee Schedule (What You Can Charge)
Illinois law sets the maximum fees a notary can charge per act. You may charge less, but not more. Per 5 ILCS 312/3-104:
| Type of Notarial Act | Maximum Fee (2026) |
|---|---|
| Traditional notarial act (acknowledgment, jurat, etc.) | $5.00 per act |
| Electronic or Remote Online Notarization (RON) act | $25.00 per act |
| Copy of electronic journal entry or audio-video recording | Reasonable cost recovery fee |
| Notarial act for Illinois SOS Homeless Status Certification form | $0.00 — free required by law (effective Jan 1, 2026) |
How to Add Remote Online Notarization (RON) to Your Commission
Remote Online Notarization allows you to notarize documents for clients located anywhere in Illinois using audio-video technology — without anyone needing to be physically present. Illinois authorizes Remote Online Notarization (RON) and Electronic Notarization, and adding RON to your commission is a powerful way to expand your services and increase income.
To become an Illinois Electronic/RON notary in addition to a traditional notary:
- Complete the electronic notary education course and exam. A separate approved course on electronic notarizations is required. This can often be completed on the same platform as your traditional notary course.
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Upgrade your surety bond to $30,000.
A $30,000 surety bond is required for notaries performing electronic/remote notarial acts via audio-video communication. If you already have a $5,000 bond, you need to add a separate $25,000 bond — or purchase a single $30,000 bond that covers both. The bond premium for the increased bond amount is approximately $50 — very affordable given the higher fee potential.
- Contract with an approved RON platform provider. You must use a platform approved by the Illinois Secretary of State for audio-video notarization. The platform handles identity verification, the audio-video session, and secure document storage. Popular approved providers include Notarize, DocVerify, and Pavaso.
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Submit the Electronic Notary application with a $25 additional fee.
Submit an electronic notary application and $25 fee to the Secretary of State. You will need to upload your electronic course certificate, new bond, and a copy of your electronic signature from your RON platform provider. If applying for both traditional and electronic notary at the same time, the combined fee is $40.
Renewing Your Illinois Notary Commission
Illinois notary commissions are valid for 4 years. The Secretary of State will notify you 60 days before your expiration date. There is no grace period — your commission expires at midnight on the expiration date and you cannot notarize after that point until a new commission is issued.
To renew, you must follow the same steps as a new applicant:
- Complete the 3-hour education course and pass the exam again
- Purchase a new 4-year $5,000 surety bond
- Submit a renewal application online at ilsos.gov and pay the $15 filing fee
Illinois Notary Rules You Must Know
- Journal is mandatory: You must record every notarial act in a bound journal. This has been required in Illinois since June 5, 2023. Failure to maintain a journal is a violation of the Illinois Notary Public Act.
- You cannot notarize your own documents: You cannot notarize any document in which you have a direct financial or beneficial interest, or notarize your own signature.
- You cannot notarize for family members in many circumstances — exercise caution and when in doubt, decline and refer to another notary.
- Name must match your ID: Your name and address must match your Illinois driver’s license or state ID card, or your application will be rejected.
- Name change = new commission: If you legally change your name, you must resign your current commission and apply for a new one under your new name.
- County change: If you move to a different county, you must resign your commission and reapply.
- Receipts required: You must provide a receipt for every notarization fee you collect and maintain records of all fees received.
- No commission expiration grace period: Your commission expires at midnight of the expiration date of your appointment. No, you can’t notarize any documents once your appointment has expired. There’s no grace period.
Frequently Asked Questions
The entire process typically takes 4 to 6 weeks from start to finish. The education course can be completed in a few hours online. The application processing by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Index Department takes the bulk of the time — usually 3 to 5 weeks after submission. Online applications are processed faster than paper ones.
No. The application process is straightforward and designed for self-completion. You can complete the education course, purchase the bond, and submit the application entirely on your own online. No attorney or third-party service is required, though some bundled packages from providers like the NNA can simplify the process.
It depends on the nature of the offense. A background check is conducted as part of the Illinois notary application process. Certain felony convictions — particularly those involving fraud, dishonesty, or crimes of moral turpitude — may disqualify you. Minor or older offenses may not. The Illinois Secretary of State reviews each application individually.
Traditional notarizations must be performed for signers who are physically present in Illinois. For Remote Online Notarization (RON), you can only notarize for clients who are physically located within Illinois at the time of notarization — even though the process happens remotely via video. RON does not allow you to notarize across state lines.
A notary public is commissioned by the state to perform notarial acts. A loan signing agent is a notary who has taken additional specialized training to handle mortgage and real estate closing documents. Loan signing agents earn significantly more per appointment ($75–$200) than general notaries. You need to be a commissioned notary first, then take a signing agent course to add this specialization.
Yes — you may choose to charge less than the maximum fee or provide free notarizations. Many notaries at banks, libraries, and UPS stores provide free or low-cost notarizations as a customer service. As of January 1, 2026, Illinois law requires notaries to provide free notarizations for Illinois SOS Homeless Status Certification forms.
Errors and omissions can expose you to personal liability. This is why E&O (Errors and Omissions) insurance is strongly recommended, even though it is not required by Illinois law. E&O insurance typically costs just $20–$40 when bundled with your surety bond and can protect you from legal fees for minor unintentional mistakes.
Illinois Notary Public Resources
| Resource | What It Provides | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Secretary of State — Notary Services | Official application portal, commission lookup, handbook | ilsos.gov |
| Illinois Notary Public Handbook | Complete guide to Illinois notary law and procedures | ilsos.gov (PDF download) |
| American Association of Notaries | State-approved course, bond, supplies, and guides | illinoisnotary.com |
| National Notary Association (NNA) | State-approved course, bond, E&O, signing agent training | nationalnotary.org |
| SuretyBonds.com | Fast online bond purchase — traditional and RON bonds | suretybonds.com |
Final Thoughts
Becoming an Illinois notary public in 2026 is one of the most accessible professional credentials available — it costs under $165 in total, takes about 4 to 6 weeks, and opens the door to meaningful extra income as a traditional notary, mobile notary, loan signing agent, or Remote Online Notary.
With Illinois’s high demand for notary services — especially in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs — a commissioned notary can recoup their entire startup investment with just one or two loan signing appointments. If you meet the eligibility requirements, there is very little reason to wait.
Ready to Become an Illinois Notary Public?
Start with the official Illinois Secretary of State notary portal. The process is entirely online and takes about 4–6 weeks.
Apply at ilsos.gov → Get Course + Bond Bundle →