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ILLINOIS NOTARY FINAL EXAM ACTUAL PREP
QUESTIONS AND WELL REVISED ANSWERS -
LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS – ASSURES PASS
Course: Illinois Notary Public Licensing
Subject: Notary Public Laws and Practices
Description: This exam is designed to assess a candidate’s knowledge of Illinois
notary laws, procedures, and ethical responsibilities. It includes both theoretical
questions about legal requirements and applied scenarios testing practical notarial
skills. The 200 multiple-choice questions cover commissioning, notarization
procedures, recordkeeping, prohibited acts, and case-based applications to ensure
readiness for Illinois notary licensure.
1. Which of the following is a primary responsibility of a notary public in
Illinois?
A. Drafting legal contracts
B. Administering oaths and affirmations
C. Providing legal advice
D. Witnessing signatures only for family members
Answer: B. Administering oaths and affirmations
Rationale: In Illinois, a notary public’s main responsibility is to administer
oaths, affirmations, and take acknowledgments. They are not authorized to
give legal advice or draft contracts.
2. How long is a standard Illinois notary commission valid?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 6 years
D. 8 years
Answer: B. 4 years
Rationale: Illinois notary commissions are valid for four years from the date
of issuance.
3. Which of the following persons is eligible to become a notary public in
Illinois?
A. Any U.S. resident
B. A 17-year-old high school student
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C. An Illinois resident who is at least 18 years old
D. A non-U.S. citizen permanent resident
Answer: C. An Illinois resident who is at least 18 years old
Rationale: Illinois law requires that applicants be at least 18 years old,
reside in Illinois, and meet other legal requirements.
4. What is the maximum fee a notary can charge for an acknowledgment in
Illinois?
A. $1
B. $5
C. $10
D. $15
Answer: B. $5
Rationale: Illinois law sets the maximum fee for most notarial acts,
including acknowledgments, at $5.
5. Which of the following acts is prohibited for an Illinois notary?
A. Refusing to notarize a document without reason
B. Administering an oath to a witness
C. Taking an acknowledgment with proper identification
D. Charging the statutory fee
Answer: A. Refusing to notarize a document without reason
Rationale: Notaries must act impartially and may not refuse services without
a valid reason.
6. Before notarizing a document, the notary must:
A. Make a copy of the document
B. Verify the identity of the signer
C. Provide legal advice
D. Witness the signer sign their will
Answer: B. Verify the identity of the signer
Rationale: Proper identification of the signer is required to ensure the
validity of the notarization.
7. Which of the following forms of identification is acceptable for a notary in
Illinois?
A. Expired driver’s license
B. Passport of a non-U.S. citizen without residency
C. Current government-issued photo ID
D. Library card
Answer: C. Current government-issued photo ID
Rationale: Illinois law requires valid, government-issued photo
identification for notarization purposes.
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8. What is the purpose of a notary journal?
A. To record only payments received
B. To maintain a record of all notarizations performed
C. To track personal appointments
D. To list clients’ social security numbers
Answer: B. To maintain a record of all notarizations performed
Rationale: Notary journals are used to document each notarization for legal
and verification purposes.
9. A notary in Illinois may perform a notarial act for:
A. Immediate family only
B. Anyone present and properly identified
C. Only business clients
D. People outside the United States
Answer: B. Anyone present and properly identified
Rationale: Illinois notaries can notarize for any person physically present
and identified correctly, provided there’s no conflict of interest.
10.Which of the following is required on a notarial certificate in Illinois?
A. Notary’s signature, seal, and commission expiration date
B. Notary’s personal address
C. Social security number of the signer
D. Notary’s birthdate
Answer: A. Notary’s signature, seal, and commission expiration date
Rationale: The notarial certificate must include the notary’s signature,
official seal, and commission expiration to be valid.
11.In Illinois, electronic notarizations:
A. Are not allowed
B. Are allowed under certain conditions
C. Can be done without verification
D. Must be notarized in-person first
Answer: B. Are allowed under certain conditions
Rationale: Illinois law permits electronic notarization if conducted using
approved electronic platforms and secure methods.
12.A notary refusing to notarize a document because the signer is a competitor
in business is:
A. Acceptable
B. A violation of notary law
C. Recommended
D. Optional
Answer: B. A violation of notary law
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Rationale: Notaries must act impartially and may not deny service based on
personal interests or biases.
13.When may a notary notarize a document for themselves in Illinois?
A. Always
B. Only if it benefits a family member
C. Never
D. Only for real estate documents
Answer: C. Never
Rationale: Illinois law prohibits notarizing documents in which the notary
has a personal interest.
14.If a signer cannot read, the notary must:
A. Refuse to notarize
B. Read the document aloud and explain it
C. Accept a verbal acknowledgment
D. Ask someone else to notarize
Answer: B. Read the document aloud and explain it
Rationale: The notary ensures the signer understands the document and can
freely consent, accommodating illiteracy or disabilities.
15.Notarial acts performed without proper commission may result in:
A. A fine or criminal charges
B. A reward
C. Immediate reappointment
D. No consequences
Answer: A. A fine or criminal charges
Rationale: Unauthorized notarization is illegal and can lead to civil or
criminal penalties.
16.How should a notary handle a document that appears to contain blank
spaces?
A. Fill in the spaces themselves
B. Not notarize the document
C. Ask the signer to fill in the spaces
D. Ignore the blanks
Answer: B. Not notarize the document
Rationale: Notaries must avoid notarizing incomplete documents to prevent
fraud or misrepresentation.
17.A notary’s seal should be:
A. Shared with colleagues
B. Kept secure to prevent misuse
C. Displayed publicly
D. Used only once
ILLINOIS NOTARY FINAL EXAM ACTUAL PREP
QUESTIONS AND WELL REVISED ANSWERS -
LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS – ASSURES PASS
Course: Illinois Notary Public Licensing
Subject: Notary Public Laws and Practices
Description: This exam is designed to assess a candidate’s knowledge of Illinois
notary laws, procedures, and ethical responsibilities. It includes both theoretical
questions about legal requirements and applied scenarios testing practical notarial
skills. The 200 multiple-choice questions cover commissioning, notarization
procedures, recordkeeping, prohibited acts, and case-based applications to ensure
readiness for Illinois notary licensure.
1. Which of the following is a primary responsibility of a notary public in
Illinois?
A. Drafting legal contracts
B. Administering oaths and affirmations
C. Providing legal advice
D. Witnessing signatures only for family members
Answer: B. Administering oaths and affirmations
Rationale: In Illinois, a notary public’s main responsibility is to administer
oaths, affirmations, and take acknowledgments. They are not authorized to
give legal advice or draft contracts.
2. How long is a standard Illinois notary commission valid?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 6 years
D. 8 years
Answer: B. 4 years
Rationale: Illinois notary commissions are valid for four years from the date
of issuance.
3. Which of the following persons is eligible to become a notary public in
Illinois?
A. Any U.S. resident
B. A 17-year-old high school student
,2|Page
C. An Illinois resident who is at least 18 years old
D. A non-U.S. citizen permanent resident
Answer: C. An Illinois resident who is at least 18 years old
Rationale: Illinois law requires that applicants be at least 18 years old,
reside in Illinois, and meet other legal requirements.
4. What is the maximum fee a notary can charge for an acknowledgment in
Illinois?
A. $1
B. $5
C. $10
D. $15
Answer: B. $5
Rationale: Illinois law sets the maximum fee for most notarial acts,
including acknowledgments, at $5.
5. Which of the following acts is prohibited for an Illinois notary?
A. Refusing to notarize a document without reason
B. Administering an oath to a witness
C. Taking an acknowledgment with proper identification
D. Charging the statutory fee
Answer: A. Refusing to notarize a document without reason
Rationale: Notaries must act impartially and may not refuse services without
a valid reason.
6. Before notarizing a document, the notary must:
A. Make a copy of the document
B. Verify the identity of the signer
C. Provide legal advice
D. Witness the signer sign their will
Answer: B. Verify the identity of the signer
Rationale: Proper identification of the signer is required to ensure the
validity of the notarization.
7. Which of the following forms of identification is acceptable for a notary in
Illinois?
A. Expired driver’s license
B. Passport of a non-U.S. citizen without residency
C. Current government-issued photo ID
D. Library card
Answer: C. Current government-issued photo ID
Rationale: Illinois law requires valid, government-issued photo
identification for notarization purposes.
,3|Page
8. What is the purpose of a notary journal?
A. To record only payments received
B. To maintain a record of all notarizations performed
C. To track personal appointments
D. To list clients’ social security numbers
Answer: B. To maintain a record of all notarizations performed
Rationale: Notary journals are used to document each notarization for legal
and verification purposes.
9. A notary in Illinois may perform a notarial act for:
A. Immediate family only
B. Anyone present and properly identified
C. Only business clients
D. People outside the United States
Answer: B. Anyone present and properly identified
Rationale: Illinois notaries can notarize for any person physically present
and identified correctly, provided there’s no conflict of interest.
10.Which of the following is required on a notarial certificate in Illinois?
A. Notary’s signature, seal, and commission expiration date
B. Notary’s personal address
C. Social security number of the signer
D. Notary’s birthdate
Answer: A. Notary’s signature, seal, and commission expiration date
Rationale: The notarial certificate must include the notary’s signature,
official seal, and commission expiration to be valid.
11.In Illinois, electronic notarizations:
A. Are not allowed
B. Are allowed under certain conditions
C. Can be done without verification
D. Must be notarized in-person first
Answer: B. Are allowed under certain conditions
Rationale: Illinois law permits electronic notarization if conducted using
approved electronic platforms and secure methods.
12.A notary refusing to notarize a document because the signer is a competitor
in business is:
A. Acceptable
B. A violation of notary law
C. Recommended
D. Optional
Answer: B. A violation of notary law
, 4|Page
Rationale: Notaries must act impartially and may not deny service based on
personal interests or biases.
13.When may a notary notarize a document for themselves in Illinois?
A. Always
B. Only if it benefits a family member
C. Never
D. Only for real estate documents
Answer: C. Never
Rationale: Illinois law prohibits notarizing documents in which the notary
has a personal interest.
14.If a signer cannot read, the notary must:
A. Refuse to notarize
B. Read the document aloud and explain it
C. Accept a verbal acknowledgment
D. Ask someone else to notarize
Answer: B. Read the document aloud and explain it
Rationale: The notary ensures the signer understands the document and can
freely consent, accommodating illiteracy or disabilities.
15.Notarial acts performed without proper commission may result in:
A. A fine or criminal charges
B. A reward
C. Immediate reappointment
D. No consequences
Answer: A. A fine or criminal charges
Rationale: Unauthorized notarization is illegal and can lead to civil or
criminal penalties.
16.How should a notary handle a document that appears to contain blank
spaces?
A. Fill in the spaces themselves
B. Not notarize the document
C. Ask the signer to fill in the spaces
D. Ignore the blanks
Answer: B. Not notarize the document
Rationale: Notaries must avoid notarizing incomplete documents to prevent
fraud or misrepresentation.
17.A notary’s seal should be:
A. Shared with colleagues
B. Kept secure to prevent misuse
C. Displayed publicly
D. Used only once
