Get IL I Pub 16.21 2012-2024

Bring the unsigned document and your photo identification to the notary. Sign the document in the notary's presence. Show the notary your photo identification. Pay the notary fee (usually $1) The notary signs and stamps your document.

A notary public may not notarize his or her own signature and may not notarize any document in which the notary's name appears as a party to the transaction. A notary may notarize the signature of his or her spouse, children and other relatives.

As a notary you will find yourself being asked to help friends and family with their notarial needs. ... In general, it is not illegal to notarize something for a family member, including your spouse or children. However, many states have statutes that make it illegal to notarize documents in which you will benefit.

May I notarize for my relatives? There is no specific prohibition against notarizing a spouse's or relative's signature or notarizing for a spouse's business. However, notarizations should not be performed by a notary public who is a party to the instrument or financially or beneficially interested in the transaction.

A Pennsylvania Notary may not notarize signatures on documents that the Notary's spouse has a direct or pecuniary interest in. On the other hand, many states, such as Texas, do not restrict Notaries from notarizing for relatives at all.

Illinois law does not require an Illinois notary public to record his or her notarial acts in a journal. However, the Illinois Secretary of State and the American Association of Notaries strongly recommend that Illinois notaries record their notarial acts in a notary journal as a protective measure against liability.

Most states require or strongly recommend that Notaries own and maintain a journal or record book of the acts they perform. ... The Notary's journal record provided evidence that the loan documents had been notarized and helped keep the signers from losing their home.

State law requires all Illinois notaries to use an official rubber notary stamp, with black ink color to authenticate all notarial acts. The Illinois notary laws provide the legal specifications regarding the layout and the information required on all notary seals (5 ILCS 312/3-101).

The short answer is yes, notary publics are legally allowed to notarize documents from any state as long the notarial act is conducted within the geographical boundaries of the notary's state of commission.

As a notary you will find yourself being asked to help friends and family with their notarial needs. ... In general, it is not illegal to notarize something for a family member, including your spouse or children. However, many states have statutes that make it illegal to notarize documents in which you will benefit.

In California, a notary public is not prohibited from notarizing for relatives or others, unless doing so would provide a direct financial or beneficial interest to the notary public. With California's community property law, care should be exercised if notarizing for a spouse or a domestic partner.

A notary cannot proceed if the document is not original, bearing the signer's original, wet-ink signature (not a photocopy or fax of a signed document). A notary cannot proceed if the required notarial act is not indicated by the document, the signer or someone connected to the document.

The active notaries public in Illinois have been appointed and commissioned by the Index Department. ... The notary acts as an official and unbiased witness to the identity of person who comes before the notary for a specific purpose. Notaries are appointed by the Secretary of State for a four year term.

May I notarize documents when I am physically outside the State of Illinois? No. An Illinois notary public has the authority to perform notarial acts only while in the State of Illinois.

Mailing the completed and notarized Illinois notary application, the four-year, $5,000 Illinois notary bond, a copy of your driver's license, and the required appointment fee to the Secretary of State.