Illinois Notary Public Course Final Exam with Correct
Answers Latest update 2024/2025
1. What characteristics must an ID have for you to be able to use it to identify a signer?
Answer: The ID must be current, issued by a government agency, and contain a photograph, physical
description, and signature of the bearer.
2. What should you do if a document is presented to you with no notarial certificate (no notarial
wording)?
Answer: Ask the signer which type of notarization they want, then attach the correct notarial certificate.
3. What is the one notarization (exception) that doesn't require signers to sign in your presence?
Answer: A copy certification by document custodian.
4. What should you do if someone asks you how to fill in the blank spaces in a document?
Answer: Advise them that you are not authorized to provide legal advice and they should consult an
attorney.
5. Can you notarize your own signature?
Answer: No
6. What if someone requests an extra blank/orphan notarial certificate?
Answer: Do not provide it; notarial certificates must be attached to a specific document.
7. How old do you have to be to become a Notary Public?
Answer: 18 years old
8. Do notarizations certify a document as true and accurate?
Answer: No, notarization only certifies the identity of the signer and that the signing occurred as stated.
, 9. What do you need to do if you advertise notary services in a language other than English?
Answer: Include a disclaimer in English stating: “I am not an attorney licensed to practice law in Illinois
and may not give legal advice or accept fees for legal advice.”
10. Is a notarization valid without your stamp (seal)?
Answer: No, a notary seal is required for the notarization to be valid.
11. Where must you record all notarizations?
Answer: In your notary journal.
12. How much can you charge for a traditional notarization?
Answer: $5 per signature, plus additional travel or convenience fees if applicable.
13. Does your boss get to keep your notary stamp and/or journal at the end of your employment, even if
they bought it/them for you?
Answer: No, the notary is personally responsible for and must retain possession of their stamp and
journal.
14. In which state(s) can you notarize documents if you are commissioned in Illinois?
Answer: Only in Illinois.
15. Who should have access to your journal and seal?
Answer: Only you, the commissioned notary.
16. Can you offer legal advice (if not an attorney)?
Answer: Absolutely not.
17. What are some things the notary seal must contain?
Answer: The notary’s name, the words “Notary Public,” the words “State of Illinois,” and the expiration
date of the notary’s commission.
Answers Latest update 2024/2025
1. What characteristics must an ID have for you to be able to use it to identify a signer?
Answer: The ID must be current, issued by a government agency, and contain a photograph, physical
description, and signature of the bearer.
2. What should you do if a document is presented to you with no notarial certificate (no notarial
wording)?
Answer: Ask the signer which type of notarization they want, then attach the correct notarial certificate.
3. What is the one notarization (exception) that doesn't require signers to sign in your presence?
Answer: A copy certification by document custodian.
4. What should you do if someone asks you how to fill in the blank spaces in a document?
Answer: Advise them that you are not authorized to provide legal advice and they should consult an
attorney.
5. Can you notarize your own signature?
Answer: No
6. What if someone requests an extra blank/orphan notarial certificate?
Answer: Do not provide it; notarial certificates must be attached to a specific document.
7. How old do you have to be to become a Notary Public?
Answer: 18 years old
8. Do notarizations certify a document as true and accurate?
Answer: No, notarization only certifies the identity of the signer and that the signing occurred as stated.
, 9. What do you need to do if you advertise notary services in a language other than English?
Answer: Include a disclaimer in English stating: “I am not an attorney licensed to practice law in Illinois
and may not give legal advice or accept fees for legal advice.”
10. Is a notarization valid without your stamp (seal)?
Answer: No, a notary seal is required for the notarization to be valid.
11. Where must you record all notarizations?
Answer: In your notary journal.
12. How much can you charge for a traditional notarization?
Answer: $5 per signature, plus additional travel or convenience fees if applicable.
13. Does your boss get to keep your notary stamp and/or journal at the end of your employment, even if
they bought it/them for you?
Answer: No, the notary is personally responsible for and must retain possession of their stamp and
journal.
14. In which state(s) can you notarize documents if you are commissioned in Illinois?
Answer: Only in Illinois.
15. Who should have access to your journal and seal?
Answer: Only you, the commissioned notary.
16. Can you offer legal advice (if not an attorney)?
Answer: Absolutely not.
17. What are some things the notary seal must contain?
Answer: The notary’s name, the words “Notary Public,” the words “State of Illinois,” and the expiration
date of the notary’s commission.
