Illinois Notary Public Examination
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is a primary duty of an Illinois Notary Public?
A. Drafting legal contracts
B. Administering oaths and affirmations
C. Providing legal advice
D. Representing clients in court
Rationale: The primary role of a notary is to administer oaths and
affirmations, acknowledging signatures on legal documents.
2. Before notarizing a document, a notary must:
A. Witness the document being drafted
B. Verify the signer’s identity
C. Sign the document themselves
D. Certify the document’s legal accuracy
, Rationale: Notaries must confirm the signer’s identity to prevent
fraud and ensure the signature is genuine.
3. A valid form of identification for an Illinois notary is:
A. Library card
B. State-issued driver’s license
C. Social media profile
D. Utility bill
Rationale: Only government-issued photo IDs with signatures are
acceptable to verify identity.
4. How long is a notary commission valid in Illinois?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 4 years
D. 6 years
Rationale: Illinois notary commissions are issued for a period of four
years.
5. A notary in Illinois may refuse to notarize a document if:
A. The signer is in a hurry
B. The notary disagrees with the content
C. The signer cannot provide valid identification
D. The document is written in another language
Rationale: Notaries cannot proceed if they cannot positively identify
the signer.
,6. Which of the following must a notary always complete after notarizing
a document?
A. Record the notarization in the journal
B. Send a copy to the Secretary of State
C. Certify the document’s legal validity
D. Provide a legal opinion
Rationale: Illinois notaries must record all notarial acts in their
journal for recordkeeping.
7. In Illinois, the official seal of a notary must include:
A. Notary’s home address
B. Notary’s employer
C. Notary’s name, the words “Notary Public,” and commission
expiration date
D. State flag
Rationale: The seal identifies the notary and indicates the validity
period of the commission.
8. Which action is prohibited for an Illinois notary?
A. Administering oaths
B. Providing legal advice
C. Witnessing signatures
D. Certifying copies of documents
Rationale: Notaries are not licensed attorneys and cannot give legal
advice.
, 9. A notary must be at least how old in Illinois?
A. 16 years
B. 18 years
C. 18 years
D. 21 years
Rationale: The minimum age requirement ensures legal capacity to
perform notarial acts.
10. A notary can notarize a document in which of the following
situations?
A. Signer is a minor without a guardian
B. Signer appears personally before the notary
C. Document is emailed for notarization
D. Notary knows the signer only by reputation
Rationale: Personal appearance is required to verify identity and
willingness.
11. A notary must keep a journal for:
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
Rationale: Illinois law requires notaries to maintain journals of all
acts for five years.
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is a primary duty of an Illinois Notary Public?
A. Drafting legal contracts
B. Administering oaths and affirmations
C. Providing legal advice
D. Representing clients in court
Rationale: The primary role of a notary is to administer oaths and
affirmations, acknowledging signatures on legal documents.
2. Before notarizing a document, a notary must:
A. Witness the document being drafted
B. Verify the signer’s identity
C. Sign the document themselves
D. Certify the document’s legal accuracy
, Rationale: Notaries must confirm the signer’s identity to prevent
fraud and ensure the signature is genuine.
3. A valid form of identification for an Illinois notary is:
A. Library card
B. State-issued driver’s license
C. Social media profile
D. Utility bill
Rationale: Only government-issued photo IDs with signatures are
acceptable to verify identity.
4. How long is a notary commission valid in Illinois?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 4 years
D. 6 years
Rationale: Illinois notary commissions are issued for a period of four
years.
5. A notary in Illinois may refuse to notarize a document if:
A. The signer is in a hurry
B. The notary disagrees with the content
C. The signer cannot provide valid identification
D. The document is written in another language
Rationale: Notaries cannot proceed if they cannot positively identify
the signer.
,6. Which of the following must a notary always complete after notarizing
a document?
A. Record the notarization in the journal
B. Send a copy to the Secretary of State
C. Certify the document’s legal validity
D. Provide a legal opinion
Rationale: Illinois notaries must record all notarial acts in their
journal for recordkeeping.
7. In Illinois, the official seal of a notary must include:
A. Notary’s home address
B. Notary’s employer
C. Notary’s name, the words “Notary Public,” and commission
expiration date
D. State flag
Rationale: The seal identifies the notary and indicates the validity
period of the commission.
8. Which action is prohibited for an Illinois notary?
A. Administering oaths
B. Providing legal advice
C. Witnessing signatures
D. Certifying copies of documents
Rationale: Notaries are not licensed attorneys and cannot give legal
advice.
, 9. A notary must be at least how old in Illinois?
A. 16 years
B. 18 years
C. 18 years
D. 21 years
Rationale: The minimum age requirement ensures legal capacity to
perform notarial acts.
10. A notary can notarize a document in which of the following
situations?
A. Signer is a minor without a guardian
B. Signer appears personally before the notary
C. Document is emailed for notarization
D. Notary knows the signer only by reputation
Rationale: Personal appearance is required to verify identity and
willingness.
11. A notary must keep a journal for:
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
Rationale: Illinois law requires notaries to maintain journals of all
acts for five years.
