Illinois Notary Final Exam – Questions and Answers |Fall 2025/2026
Update | 100% Correct
QUESTION 1:
Which of the following actions is not permitted for an Illinois Notary Public to perform?
A. Administering oaths and affirmations
B. Certifying copies of birth certificates
C. Taking acknowledgments of deeds
D. Witnessing signatures on affidavits
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Illinois Notaries cannot certify copies of vital records such as birth, death, or
marriage certificates. Only the issuing agency can do so. The other listed actions fall within a
notary’s lawful duties.
QUESTION 2:
What is the maximum term length for an Illinois Notary Public commission?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: An Illinois Notary Public is commissioned for a term of 4 years by the Secretary of
State, unless otherwise specified for special categories like military or government service.
QUESTION 3:
A notary’s official seal must include which of the following elements?
A. The notary’s photograph
B. The notary’s full name, “Notary Public,” the words “State of Illinois,” and the commission
expiration date
C. The county clerk’s signature
D. The notary’s employer’s name
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Illinois law (5 ILCS 312/3-101) specifies that the seal must contain the notary’s
,name, the words “Notary Public,” “State of Illinois,” and the commission expiration date. Photos
and employer names are never included.
QUESTION 4:
Which of the following is required before performing any notarial act?
A. Having a personal relationship with the signer
B. Verifying the signer’s identity through satisfactory evidence
C. Knowing the document’s contents in full
D. Collecting a witness affidavit
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: A notary’s primary duty is to verify the identity of the signer to deter fraud.
Familiarity or reading the document’s contents is not legally required.
QUESTION 5:
A notary may refuse to perform a notarial act for which of the following reasons?
A. The signer does not present acceptable identification
B. The signer requests evening service
C. The signer offers a fee
D. The notary is uncertain of the document’s legal effect
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: A notary may and should refuse to notarize when proper identification is not
provided. Fees and scheduling convenience are not valid reasons to deny service.
QUESTION 6:
Which statement about notary journal requirements in Illinois is correct?
A. Keeping a journal is optional but recommended
B. A journal must be maintained and submitted to the Secretary of State annually
C. Only electronic notaries require journals
D. Journals are illegal under Illinois law
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Illinois does not mandate a journal for all notaries, but maintaining one is a best
practice for legal protection and recordkeeping.
, QUESTION 7:
When performing a notarization, what must the notary always do in the presence of the signer?
A. Administer an oath
B. Witness the signature being made
C. Explain the contents of the document
D. Draft the legal terms of the document
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The notary must personally witness or confirm the signature occurs in their
presence. They are not responsible for drafting or explaining the document.
QUESTION 8:
If a notary changes their legal name during their commission, they must:
A. Apply for a new commission immediately
B. Notify the Secretary of State within 60 days and obtain a new seal
C. Simply keep using the old name until expiration
D. Have the county clerk make a note in their records without notifying the state
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Illinois notaries must notify the Secretary of State of any name or address change
within 60 days, and obtain a seal reflecting the updated name.
QUESTION 9:
How many official signatures may an Illinois notary have on file during a commission term?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Unlimited
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Each notary has only one signature and one seal that must match the official record
with the Secretary of State.
QUESTION 10:
In Illinois, a notary’s authority ends immediately if:
A. The notary moves to another county in Illinois
Update | 100% Correct
QUESTION 1:
Which of the following actions is not permitted for an Illinois Notary Public to perform?
A. Administering oaths and affirmations
B. Certifying copies of birth certificates
C. Taking acknowledgments of deeds
D. Witnessing signatures on affidavits
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Illinois Notaries cannot certify copies of vital records such as birth, death, or
marriage certificates. Only the issuing agency can do so. The other listed actions fall within a
notary’s lawful duties.
QUESTION 2:
What is the maximum term length for an Illinois Notary Public commission?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: An Illinois Notary Public is commissioned for a term of 4 years by the Secretary of
State, unless otherwise specified for special categories like military or government service.
QUESTION 3:
A notary’s official seal must include which of the following elements?
A. The notary’s photograph
B. The notary’s full name, “Notary Public,” the words “State of Illinois,” and the commission
expiration date
C. The county clerk’s signature
D. The notary’s employer’s name
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Illinois law (5 ILCS 312/3-101) specifies that the seal must contain the notary’s
,name, the words “Notary Public,” “State of Illinois,” and the commission expiration date. Photos
and employer names are never included.
QUESTION 4:
Which of the following is required before performing any notarial act?
A. Having a personal relationship with the signer
B. Verifying the signer’s identity through satisfactory evidence
C. Knowing the document’s contents in full
D. Collecting a witness affidavit
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: A notary’s primary duty is to verify the identity of the signer to deter fraud.
Familiarity or reading the document’s contents is not legally required.
QUESTION 5:
A notary may refuse to perform a notarial act for which of the following reasons?
A. The signer does not present acceptable identification
B. The signer requests evening service
C. The signer offers a fee
D. The notary is uncertain of the document’s legal effect
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: A notary may and should refuse to notarize when proper identification is not
provided. Fees and scheduling convenience are not valid reasons to deny service.
QUESTION 6:
Which statement about notary journal requirements in Illinois is correct?
A. Keeping a journal is optional but recommended
B. A journal must be maintained and submitted to the Secretary of State annually
C. Only electronic notaries require journals
D. Journals are illegal under Illinois law
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Illinois does not mandate a journal for all notaries, but maintaining one is a best
practice for legal protection and recordkeeping.
, QUESTION 7:
When performing a notarization, what must the notary always do in the presence of the signer?
A. Administer an oath
B. Witness the signature being made
C. Explain the contents of the document
D. Draft the legal terms of the document
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The notary must personally witness or confirm the signature occurs in their
presence. They are not responsible for drafting or explaining the document.
QUESTION 8:
If a notary changes their legal name during their commission, they must:
A. Apply for a new commission immediately
B. Notify the Secretary of State within 60 days and obtain a new seal
C. Simply keep using the old name until expiration
D. Have the county clerk make a note in their records without notifying the state
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Illinois notaries must notify the Secretary of State of any name or address change
within 60 days, and obtain a seal reflecting the updated name.
QUESTION 9:
How many official signatures may an Illinois notary have on file during a commission term?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Unlimited
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Each notary has only one signature and one seal that must match the official record
with the Secretary of State.
QUESTION 10:
In Illinois, a notary’s authority ends immediately if:
A. The notary moves to another county in Illinois
