A notary public in Illinois is granted a renewable commission of four years. As in other states, the purpose of an Illinois notary is to prevent fraud and forgery of documents. In 2008, the Illinois legislature passed legislation creating a temporary pilot program that gives Cook County notaries a special role in preventing mortgage foreclosure fraud.
Qualifications
To qualify for the notary public commission in Illinois, you must meet a few basic requirements. You must be a resident of the state of Illinois or someone employed in the state for at least the past 30 days. You must be at least 18 years old and able to read and write English. You must never have been convicted of a felony or have had a notary commission revoked in the previous 10 years.
Bond
A notary in Illinois must be bonded for at least $5,000. You must obtain a notary bond from a surety licensed to write surety bonds in the state and registered with the state Department of Insurance. Most insurance companies are able to issue notary surety bonds. They compensate anyone damaged by your acts of negligence as a notary. The cost of a $5,000 notary bond varies, but is generally $50 or less. Some notary's also obtain additional insurance against potential errors or omissions.
Application
If you meet these requirements, you can complete and submit the notary application form (see Resources). The application must be forwarded to the secretary of state with a $10 filing fee (as of 2011) and proof of your notary bond. Mail the form and the accompanying documents to Secretary of State Index Department, 111 E. Monroe, Springfield, IL 62756.
Commission
Your notary commission is issued by the county clerk in the county of your residence or, if you live outside the state, your employment. The secretary of state forwards your application to the county clerk who will inform you of your commission. You must appear in person at the county clerk's office and pay a $5 fee to accept your commission.
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