How Do You Become An Online Notary In Illinois?
As of January 1, 2024, new Illinois Notary laws have come into effect, allowing for individuals to apply to notarize electronic documents remotely by means of audio-visual communication. To become a Remote Online Notary in the state of Illinois you can follow the steps below:
- Hold a commission as a traditional Notary Public (or apply for both commissions simultaneously).
- Successfully complete and pass the state-required training and exam.
- Contract or sign up with an Electronic Notarization System Provider (such as BlueNotary).
- Take the oath of office.
- Adjust your surety bond amount to $30,000. You will also need to fill out form I 263 or I 264 (Notary Public Bond), signed and certified by a qualified bond company.
- Complete and submit the application form, including your:
-oath
-course completion certificate
-a copy of your electronic seal and signature
-a legible photocopy of your driver’s license or state ID card
-form I 263 or I264
-and the $15 application filing fee.
(Starting August 1, 2024, Illinois residents applying to be Notary Public or Electronic Notary Public are required to use their online application.) - Comply with any additional requirements set by the Secretary of State.
Once you’re authorized to perform RON in Illinois and approved with your platform, you can start performing Remote Online Notarizations. Be sure to stay current with all your state’s local Online Notary laws!
Why Should You Think about Becoming An Online Notary In Illinois?
Becoming an Online Notary in Illinois is a simple way to offer convenient and secure services to clients from wherever you are. Online Notaries offer faster booking and easier document completion turnaround times! Save clients and yourself time by working from home. What are you waiting for?
How to Become a Traditional Notary in Illinois(Get your Notary Commission)
Individuals aspiring to become a Notary in Illinois are required to navigate through the following streamlined process:
- Ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria in Illinois (see below).
- Familiarize yourself with the Illinois Notary Public Handbook and the state’s Notary Laws.
- Enroll in a Notary training course and successfully pass the exam (this requirement begins on January 1, 2024).
- Complete the upper section of the application for Illinois Notary status.
- Participate in the oath of office ceremony, which requires collaboration with a currently commissioned Illinois Notary.
- Procure a $5,000* surety bond from a bonding company authorized to operate in Illinois, and have them complete the bond section of your Notary application.
- Make photocopies of both the front and back of your driver’s license or state ID card.
- Submit your application along with a copy of your ID and the $15 application fee.
- Await your commission from the state.
- Purchase the necessary Notary seal, journal, and other essential supplies. *Please note that if you indicate “yes” on the application form regarding your intention to provide remote notarization services, the bond amount increases to $30,000.
Once you have completed all these steps and obtained your commission you are ready to start performing notarial acts as a commissioned notary in Illinois.
What are the requirements to become a Notary in Illinois?
There are several qualifications for a person to become an Illinois Notary. You must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a citizen of or lawful permanent resident in the U.S.
- Live or work in Illinois for a minimum of 30 days prior to applying
- Be able to read and write in English
- Not be convicted of a felony
- Not have a previous Notary commission revoked
For further details, consult the Illinois Notary Handbook or the Illinois SoS Website.
Are Online Notaries Legal in Illinois?
Yes, as of January 2022, Illinois has embraced the legality of Remote Online Notarization (RON) services for Notaries who hold the necessary commission for online notarization.
This enduring status for remote online notarization in Illinois was solidified by the enactment of Senate Bill 2664. To engage in remote online notarization within the state, Notaries are mandated to maintain an active traditional Notary commission, complete registration with the Secretary of State, and secure a $5,000 surety bond.
Illinois Online Notary FAQ’s
Requirements for Becoming a Remote Notary in Illinois
To venture into electronic notarizations in Illinois, you must either hold a traditional Notary Public Commission or apply to become an IL Notary. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, residing in the state of Illinois, or employed within the state while residing in a qualifying border state for a minimum of 30 days. Proficiency in English is a prerequisite. Applicants must not have felony convictions on their record or a prior Notary commission revocation or suspension within the last decade.
Training and Examination Requirements for Online Notaries
As of January 1, 2024, applicants pursuing an Electronic Notary commission in Illinois are obliged to complete a comprehensive 3-hour Notary Training Course. A subsequent 50-question Notary Exam must be successfully passed. The examination permits up to three attempts, each necessitating a minimum score of 85% for success. Failure on the third attempt results in examination failure.
Tools and Technology for Online Notarizations in Illinois:
Prepare yourself with a computer equipped with a webcam, microphone, and a secure internet connection to embark on electronic notarizations. Acquire the following electronic components for your notarial endeavors: an electronic seal, an electronic journal, and a digital certificate housing your electronic signature. It’s crucial that your Electronic Notary seal mirrors the appearance of a traditional Notary seal, and that your digital certificate complies with the X.509 standards while remaining compatible with your chosen vendor.
Is an Additional Surety Bond Required?
Remote Notaries must secure a separate $25,000 bond exclusively designated for notarizations involving digital documents. This bond amount augments the pre-existing $5,000 bond mandated for traditional notarial acts. In some cases, a unified bond totaling $30,000 may effectively cover both categories of notarizations.
E&O Insurance in Illinois
Although not obligatory, the acquisition of an Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance policy is highly encouraged. This type of coverage serves to shield you, the Notary, in instances where inadvertent errors transpire during notarizations. Such protection can substantially mitigate the financial implications of potential legal disputes.
What to Expect as a Notary?
As in other professions, the amount of work an online notary receives can vary widely. Generally, the busiest time is tax season, when documents such as tax returns need to be signed and notarized. However, there is also a steady demand throughout the year from businesses and individuals in need of authentication services. There are many businesses that need consistent notarizations. Did we mention there are over 1.25 billion notarizations performed annually?
It is important to remember that when working as an online notary, you are responsible for adhering to the regulations set forth by the state. This includes making sure documents are properly notarized and witnessed. Always ensure documents contain all of the necessary information. The most successful online notaries spend some time doing their own client acquisition and sales funneling, especially those who are doing it online.
How Much Can You Expect To Make as a Notary in Illinois?
As you gain more experience and have notarized more documents, you will be able to earn even more by taking on loan signings (where the industry standard is $150 per session) and other creative packages and invoicing clients outside of BlueNotary. You will be able to earn a very decent income – all from the comfort of your home office.
BlueNotary lets you bill your clients at your own rates. This makes your earnings very flexible depending on your ability to build a network.
How do I Start Notarizing Online in Illinois?
A great place to start is the BlueNotary Free Training Group. There you will find advice from other Illinois notaries who’ve been through the process and can answer your questions.
Becoming an online notary can be a great way to supplement your income and make a positive impact on the community. As an online notary, you get to decide which platform to use for finding clients.
BlueNotary is the best option for super simple onboarding and for an independent notary looking to grow their own business or for businesses looking to build out their workflow. We even have training videos and a signing simulator to get you comfortable with the process.
Register and get started here: Sign Up.
