Illinois Notary Public Bond - Traditional (In-Person)

To become an Illinois notary public for traditional in-person notarizations, you must: (1) be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, proficient in English, and an Illinois resident or qualifying non-resident, (2) have no prior felony conviction or removal from a notary commission, (3) complete a state-approved 3-hour training course with a 50-question exam (85% passing score), (4) purchase a $5,000 surety bond valid for your commission term, and (5) submit your application, original bond, course certificate, and $15 filing fee to the Illinois Secretary of State at 111 E. Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62756.

The $5,000 Illinois Notary Public Bond protects the public from financial losses caused by your improper notarial acts, errors, negligence, or misconduct. If someone suffers direct financial harm due to violations of Illinois notary laws (such as forgery, false certification, or improper notarizations), they can file a claim against your bond for up to $5,000. The surety company investigates and pays valid claims, then seeks reimbursement from you. Important: The bond protects the public, not you as the notary. Consider purchasing optional Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance for your own protection.

All individuals applying for or renewing a traditional in-person notary public commission in Illinois must obtain a $5,000 surety bond before submitting their application to the Illinois Secretary of State. This applies to both Illinois residents (who receive a 4-year commission) and qualifying non-residents (who receive a 1-year commission). Note that if you plan to perform remote or electronic notarizations, you'll need a separate endorsement with a higher bond amount ($25,000-$30,000).