Become a Remote Notary in Illinois

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

Remote notarizations involve:

1. The personal appearance, via communication technology, of the signer(s) and the notary from different locations.
2. A paper (tangible) document, which has been wet signed by the signer and subsequently delivered to the notary.
3. The notary’s wet signature.
4. An ink impression of the notary’s seal/stamp.
5. When the notarization is complete, the notary sends the notarized document to the signer.

To perform remote notarizations on paper documents in Illinois, you 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

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

To perform in-person notarizations and remote notarizations you must:

1. Complete a notary application. Our notary application wizard will guide you step-by-step. Click here to start the notary application.
2. Select “I am applying for a traditional and remote notary commission” when completing the application on our website.
3. Order the $30,000 notary bond that Illinois notaries are required to maintain during their notary commission terms in order to perform traditional and remote notarizations.
4. Order an inked notary stamp and a notary journal.
5. Print the executed notary bond and the notary application on checkout.
6. Take the notarial oath before a notary.
7. Mail us the completed notary application so we can file it on your behalf with the Illinois Secretary of State.
8. If you ordered notary supplies, fax, mail, or email us a copy of the notary commission certificate that you received from the secretary of state so we can prepare and ship your notary supplies.

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 a commissioned Illinois notary, there is no additional cost if you would like to perform remote notarizations. However, you need to purchase a $25,000 notary bond and mail it to the secretary of state.

No. Only if you are performing electronic notarizations on electronic documents are you required to contract with an approved platform 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 must personally appear before the notary via a two-way audio communication technology.
• The notary 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 confirms the identity of the signer(s).
• The notary must record the audio-video communication session.
• A paper (tangible) document must be signed by the signer with an inked pen and the signing must be witnessed by the notary.
• Each page of the document must be viewed by the notary.
• The signer must send the signed document to the notary within a certain time frame. Check Illinois notary law.
• The notary must fill out the notarial certificate with a pen and affix his or her wet signature and inked notary seal.
• The notary will send the notarized paper document to the signer within the required time frame under Illinois law.
• The notary completes a journal entry.
   

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

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

$5,000 notary bond – If you are applying for a traditional notary commission or renewing your notary commission. Click here to start the notary application process.

$25,000 notary bond – If you are a mid-term notary and you would like to perform remote notarizations. Click here to order the $25,000 notary bond.

$30,000 notary bond – If you are applying for the first time as an Illinois notary or renewing your notary commission and you would like to perform in-person traditional notarizations and remote notarizations. Click here to start the notary application process.