Become a Remote Notary in Illinois

A remote notarization is a notarial act performed on a tangible document by means of audio-video communication technology. This technology allows for direct, contemporaneous interaction between the individual signing the document (the signatory) and the notary (the witness) by sight and sound. The audio-video communication must be recorded. A remote notarization requires the notary public to use an inked notary stamp to notarize the document without the aid of an electronic notary seal or electronic signature.

1- Remote notarization involves notarizing tangible documents using an inked notary stamp and wet signature while electronic notarization involves notarizing electronic documents with an electronic notary seal and electronic signature. 

2- Remote notarizations can only be performed if the signer is located within the state of Illinois. Electronic notarizations, however, can be performed if the signer is:

(a) located in Illinois;
(b) located outside of Illinois but not outside the United States; or
(c) located outside of the United States if the document is (i) to be filed with or relates to a matter before a public official or court, governmental entity, or other entity subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, (ii) involves property located in the territorial jurisdiction of the United States, or (iii) involves a transaction substantially connected with the United States.

3- In a remote notarization session, the notary witnesses the signer sign the documents, the signer sends the document to the notary, and the notary applies a physical notary stamp and wet signature on the document. In electronic notarization, however, the document is electronically signed and sealed during the notary session.

4- The notary confirms the signer's identity in a remote notarization by viewing the signer’s government-issued identification via the communication technology. In an electronic notarization, however, the signer's identity is confirmed by a multi-factor authentication procedure that includes the following:

• Remote presentation by the principal of a government-issued identification credential that contains a photograph and the signature of the principal.
• Credential analysis of the government-issued credential and the data on the credential that complies with 5 ILCS 312/6A-103.
• Identity proofing using dynamic knowledge-based authentication assessment that complies with Admin. Code 176.835(c).

To perform remote notarizations on paper documents in Illinois, you first need to:

1. Obtain a $25,000 notary bond. This bond is in addition to the $5,000 notary bond that you obtained when you first applied to become a traditional notary.
2. Mail the executed $25,000 notary public bond to:

Secretary of State
Index Department
111 E. Monroe St.
Springfield, IL 62756

Contact the Secretary of State in 4-6 weeks to verify if you have been approved to perform remote notarizations.

Click here to purchase a $25,000 notary bond.

To perform traditional and remote notarizations, follow the steps listed below:

1. Purchase a $30,000 Illinois notary bond. Click here to order your notary bond.
2. Take our Illinois notary public course and pass the examination. You can register for the Illinois notary course when purchasing your notary bond on our website.
3. Complete a notary public application on the Illinois Secretary of State’s website.

No. Remote notarizations involve notarizing tangible (paper) documents using an inked pen and an inked notary stamp. Remote notarization does not involve signing documents with an electronic signature and affixing an electronic notary seal.

If you are already a commissioned Illinois notary, there is no additional filing fee required to perform remote notarizations, but you must purchase an additional $25,000 notary bond and mail it to the secretary of state.

No. Only if you are commissioned to perform electronic notarizations on electronic documents are you required to contract with a certified electronic notarization system provider.

Your authority to perform remote notarizations expires when your current notary commission expires.

Below is a brief summary of how a remote notarial act is performed:

• The signer personally appears before the notary via a two-way audio-video communication technology. The notary (the witness) and the signer (also known as a principal or signatory) must be physically located in Illinois. An Illinois notary cannot perform a remote notarial act for a signer located outside the state of Illinois.
• The notary records the audio-video communication session.
• If the singer is not personally known to the notary, the notary verifies the signer’s identity by viewing their identification through the audio-video communication technology.
• The paper (tangible) document is signed by the signer with an inked pen and the signing is witnessed by the notary.
• Each page of the document is viewed by the notary.
• The signer sends the signed document to the notary within a certain time frame required by Illinois notary law.
• The notary fills out the notarial certificate with a pen and affixes a wet signature and inked notary seal once the notary receives the document.
• The notary records the remote notarization in their notary journal.
• The notary sends the notarized paper document to the signer within the required time frame under Illinois law.
   

To be in compliance, it is important you read your state’s notary laws and rules before performing remote notarizations.

To view the Illinois notary laws on remote notarizations, click here.

To view the Illinois notary rules on remote notarizations, click here.

The bond amount you need depends on your notary status and the type of notarizations you would like to perform.

You need a $5,000 notary bond if you are applying to become an Illinois notary or renewing your notary commission and would only like to perform traditional in-person notarizations. Click here to start the notary application process.

You need a $25,000 notary bond if you are a mid-term notary and you would like to register to perform remote notarizations or electronic notarizations by means of audio-video communication for your current active notary commission. Click here to order the $25,000 notary bond.

You need a $30,000 notary bond if you are applying to become an Illinois notary or renewing your notary commission and you would like to perform traditional in-person notarizations and remote notarizations or electronic notarizations by means of audio-video communication. Click here to start the notary application process.