Illinois Notary Public Exam With
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1. What is the primary function of a notary public in Illinois?
A. To provide legal advice
B. To witness signatures and administer oaths
C. To notarize their own documents
D. To act as a legal representative
Rationale: The primary role of an Illinois notary is to serve as an
impartial witness to the signing of documents and administer oaths, not
to provide legal counsel.
2. Who appoints notaries public in Illinois?
A. County Clerk
B. Secretary of State
C. Governor
D. Attorney General
Rationale: The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office is responsible for
appointing and commissioning notaries public.
3. How long is the term of office for an Illinois notary public?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
Rationale: In Illinois, a notary public’s commission lasts four years from
the date of issuance.
,4. What is the minimum age to become a notary public in Illinois?
A. 16
B. 18
C. 21
D. 25
Rationale: Applicants must be at least 18 years old to qualify for a notary
commission in Illinois.
5. Which of the following disqualifies a person from becoming a notary in
Illinois?
A. Being unemployed
B. Having a felony conviction
C. Being self-employed
D. Owning property
Rationale: Persons convicted of a felony or certain crimes of dishonesty
cannot be commissioned as notaries in Illinois.
6. What must an applicant submit to become a notary in Illinois?
A. Application, photograph, and references
B. Application, test, and tax return
C. Application, oath of office, and $5,000 bond
D. Application and fingerprint record
Rationale: Applicants must provide a completed application, take an
oath, and post a $5,000 surety bond.
7. What is the purpose of a notary bond in Illinois?
A. To protect the notary
B. To pay the notary’s salary
C. To protect the public from notary misconduct
D. To cover notary training costs
Rationale: The $5,000 surety bond protects the public, not the notary,
against damages from improper notarization.
8. Can a notary public notarize their own signature?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Yes, with permission
, D. Only for business documents
Rationale: A notary must remain impartial and cannot notarize their own
signature or documents in which they have an interest.
9. What must a notary verify before notarizing a signature?
A. Marital status
B. Employment
C. Identity of the signer
D. Nationality
Rationale: The notary’s primary duty is to confirm the signer’s identity
through satisfactory evidence such as ID.
10.What is acceptable identification for notarization?
A. Business card
B. Government-issued photo ID
C. Library card
D. School badge
Rationale: A valid, government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license
or passport provides satisfactory evidence of identity.
11.What type of document may notaries NOT notarize?
A. Power of attorney
B. Documents containing blank spaces
C. Deeds
D. Affidavits
Rationale: Notaries must refuse documents with incomplete fields to
prevent fraud or misuse.
12.What should a notary do if a signer appears unwilling or coerced?
A. Proceed anyway
B. Refuse to notarize
C. Ask for a witness
D. Call law enforcement
Rationale: A notary must ensure voluntary signing; refusal is required if
coercion is suspected.
13.What must every Illinois notary have?
A. State seal
Actual Questions & Verified
Answers,Plus Rationales/Expert
Verified For Guaranteed Pass Graded
A+/2026 /Latest Update/Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the primary function of a notary public in Illinois?
A. To provide legal advice
B. To witness signatures and administer oaths
C. To notarize their own documents
D. To act as a legal representative
Rationale: The primary role of an Illinois notary is to serve as an
impartial witness to the signing of documents and administer oaths, not
to provide legal counsel.
2. Who appoints notaries public in Illinois?
A. County Clerk
B. Secretary of State
C. Governor
D. Attorney General
Rationale: The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office is responsible for
appointing and commissioning notaries public.
3. How long is the term of office for an Illinois notary public?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
Rationale: In Illinois, a notary public’s commission lasts four years from
the date of issuance.
,4. What is the minimum age to become a notary public in Illinois?
A. 16
B. 18
C. 21
D. 25
Rationale: Applicants must be at least 18 years old to qualify for a notary
commission in Illinois.
5. Which of the following disqualifies a person from becoming a notary in
Illinois?
A. Being unemployed
B. Having a felony conviction
C. Being self-employed
D. Owning property
Rationale: Persons convicted of a felony or certain crimes of dishonesty
cannot be commissioned as notaries in Illinois.
6. What must an applicant submit to become a notary in Illinois?
A. Application, photograph, and references
B. Application, test, and tax return
C. Application, oath of office, and $5,000 bond
D. Application and fingerprint record
Rationale: Applicants must provide a completed application, take an
oath, and post a $5,000 surety bond.
7. What is the purpose of a notary bond in Illinois?
A. To protect the notary
B. To pay the notary’s salary
C. To protect the public from notary misconduct
D. To cover notary training costs
Rationale: The $5,000 surety bond protects the public, not the notary,
against damages from improper notarization.
8. Can a notary public notarize their own signature?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Yes, with permission
, D. Only for business documents
Rationale: A notary must remain impartial and cannot notarize their own
signature or documents in which they have an interest.
9. What must a notary verify before notarizing a signature?
A. Marital status
B. Employment
C. Identity of the signer
D. Nationality
Rationale: The notary’s primary duty is to confirm the signer’s identity
through satisfactory evidence such as ID.
10.What is acceptable identification for notarization?
A. Business card
B. Government-issued photo ID
C. Library card
D. School badge
Rationale: A valid, government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license
or passport provides satisfactory evidence of identity.
11.What type of document may notaries NOT notarize?
A. Power of attorney
B. Documents containing blank spaces
C. Deeds
D. Affidavits
Rationale: Notaries must refuse documents with incomplete fields to
prevent fraud or misuse.
12.What should a notary do if a signer appears unwilling or coerced?
A. Proceed anyway
B. Refuse to notarize
C. Ask for a witness
D. Call law enforcement
Rationale: A notary must ensure voluntary signing; refusal is required if
coercion is suspected.
13.What must every Illinois notary have?
A. State seal
