Notary Public
| Stevens Title Service Incorporated Blades & Lymans & Ebeys |
Stevens Title Service Incorporated 2800 E. Clearlake Ave. Springfield, Illinois 62703 217 528 1818 phone 217 525 2639 fax
What is a Notary Public?
A Notary Public is a public officer appointed under authority of State law who has the power under
the law to administer an oath, to certify affidavits and to take acknowledgments. Documents and
signatures are authenticated by recognition of the notary seal being affixed to the document.
The role of the Notary Public is to prevent fraud and forgery. The notary acts as an official and
unbiased witness to the identity of a person who comes before the notary for a specific purpose. The
Notary Public thus plays an important role in commercial and legal transactions.
A Notary Public is a public officer appointed under authority of State law who has the power under
the law to administer an oath, to certify affidavits and to take acknowledgments. Documents and
signatures are authenticated by recognition of the notary seal being affixed to the document.
The role of the Notary Public is to prevent fraud and forgery. The notary acts as an official and
unbiased witness to the identity of a person who comes before the notary for a specific purpose. The
Notary Public thus plays an important role in commercial and legal transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
May I notarize my own signature and/or the signatures of my spouse, children and other relatives?
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.
How does a notary identify a signer?
A notary has satisfactory evidence if the person (1) is personally known to the notary; (2) is identified by a
credible witness personally known to the notary; or (3) is identified on the basis of identification documents.
Proper identification should include a photograph and a signature on a reliable identification card, such as a driver’
s license.
Should I keep a journal of notarial acts?
There is no requirement in Illinois that a notary public keep a log book or journal. However, a notary should
keep a journal for his or her own record keeping.
What are the most common errors or omissions made by notaries?
(1) Failing to properly identify a person; (2) failing to administer an oath or affirmation (if required); and (3) failing
to affix the notary seal.
Can a notary give legal advice or prepare legal documents?
No. A notary does not have this authority, unless he or she is also an attorney.
Is a notary responsible for the truth or accuracy of a document?
No. The main purpose of notarization is to compel truthfulness by the signer. Notaries have no authority to and
are not required to verify the truth or accuracy of any document.
May a blank document be notarized?
Never notarize a blank or incomplete document. If a signer indicates that certain spaces in a document are to be
left blank because they don’t apply, suggest that he or she line through the spaces or write “Not Applicable.”
This protects the signer from later unauthorized insertions, and it may prevent the notary from having to appear as
a witness in a lawsuit.
May I notarize documents that originate out of state?
Yes, as long as you perform the notarial act in Illinois and the notarial certificate indicates “State of Illinois,
County of _______________________” to identify the jurisdiction in which the notarial act took place.
May I notarize documents only in my own county?
An Illinois notary public has the authority to act throughout the Illinois. The county in which the notarial act takes
place should be inserted in the notarial certificate.
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.
Should I charge a fee for my services as a notary public?
The law does not require that you charge a fee. However, the maximum fee allowed is $1.
May I notarize documents that I will be signing as an officer on behalf of a corporation?
No. You may never notarize your own signature, whether you are signing for yourself or for a corporation.
Must the person sign the document in my presence?
The document should always be signed in your presence.
What should I do when a person for whom I have performed a notarial act requests proof that I am a notary?
Occasionally, a “Certificate of Authority” is required to be attached to a document that has been notarized,
particularly when that document is being sent out of state. This certificate is proof that the notary was a
commissioned notary on the date that the document was notarized. A “Certificate of Authority” may be obtained
from the county clerk of the county in which your appointment is recorded or from the Secretary of State’s
office. It is not your responsibility, however, to obtain the certificate for the person. That person should contact
the county clerk or the Secretary of State for information.
May notaries use rubber stamp signatures?
No. Notaries may not use facsimile signature stamps in signing his or her official certificates. A signature must be
written in ink as commissioned. In addition, a facsimile signature may not be notarized.
Is notarization required by law?
In many cases, yes. Some documents must be acknowledged before a notary, and other documents must be
signed under oath to be effective. It is not a notary’s duty to prepare the document, only to perform the notarial
act and complete the notarial certificate.
How do I renew my notary appointment?
There is no provision in Illinois Law for automatic renewal of your Notary Commission. Every 4 years you must
complete the Notary Application and Bond Form.
I have mailed a notary application. When may I begin notarizing documents?
An appointed notary public may begin notarizing documents when his or her commission has been recorded with
the county clerk and he or she has obtained an official notary public seal.
Should I accept a notary certificate from the county clerk that contains errors?
No, return the certificate to the county clerk detailing the error and request a corrected certificate.
How do I report a change in my home or work address or my name while I am serving as a notary public?
If you move or change employers and your new residence or place of employment is within the boundaries of the
county from which you were appointed, you merely report the change of address to the Secretary of State.
However, if you move out of the county, or if you are a non-resident notary who changes employment to another
county, you must resign your commission. Resignations should be submitted to the Secretary of State. You can
then apply for a new appointment.
When does a notary’s commission officially expire?
A notary public receives a four-year appointment. A notary’s commission expires at midnight of the expiration
date of the appointment.
If my notary appointment has expired and I have applied for a new appointment, may I continue to notarize
documents?
No. There is no grace period for a notary public once his or her appointment has expired. You may not perform
notarial acts until you have recorded your new appointment with the county clerk and have obtained a new seal
containing the date that your new term of office expires.
I would like to return to my maiden name. What does this involve?
Persons who change his or her name must resign his or her commission and apply for a new appointment.
May I notarize my own signature and/or the signatures of my spouse, children and other relatives?
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.
How does a notary identify a signer?
A notary has satisfactory evidence if the person (1) is personally known to the notary; (2) is identified by a
credible witness personally known to the notary; or (3) is identified on the basis of identification documents.
Proper identification should include a photograph and a signature on a reliable identification card, such as a driver’
s license.
Should I keep a journal of notarial acts?
There is no requirement in Illinois that a notary public keep a log book or journal. However, a notary should
keep a journal for his or her own record keeping.
What are the most common errors or omissions made by notaries?
(1) Failing to properly identify a person; (2) failing to administer an oath or affirmation (if required); and (3) failing
to affix the notary seal.
Can a notary give legal advice or prepare legal documents?
No. A notary does not have this authority, unless he or she is also an attorney.
Is a notary responsible for the truth or accuracy of a document?
No. The main purpose of notarization is to compel truthfulness by the signer. Notaries have no authority to and
are not required to verify the truth or accuracy of any document.
May a blank document be notarized?
Never notarize a blank or incomplete document. If a signer indicates that certain spaces in a document are to be
left blank because they don’t apply, suggest that he or she line through the spaces or write “Not Applicable.”
This protects the signer from later unauthorized insertions, and it may prevent the notary from having to appear as
a witness in a lawsuit.
May I notarize documents that originate out of state?
Yes, as long as you perform the notarial act in Illinois and the notarial certificate indicates “State of Illinois,
County of _______________________” to identify the jurisdiction in which the notarial act took place.
May I notarize documents only in my own county?
An Illinois notary public has the authority to act throughout the Illinois. The county in which the notarial act takes
place should be inserted in the notarial certificate.
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.
Should I charge a fee for my services as a notary public?
The law does not require that you charge a fee. However, the maximum fee allowed is $1.
May I notarize documents that I will be signing as an officer on behalf of a corporation?
No. You may never notarize your own signature, whether you are signing for yourself or for a corporation.
Must the person sign the document in my presence?
The document should always be signed in your presence.
What should I do when a person for whom I have performed a notarial act requests proof that I am a notary?
Occasionally, a “Certificate of Authority” is required to be attached to a document that has been notarized,
particularly when that document is being sent out of state. This certificate is proof that the notary was a
commissioned notary on the date that the document was notarized. A “Certificate of Authority” may be obtained
from the county clerk of the county in which your appointment is recorded or from the Secretary of State’s
office. It is not your responsibility, however, to obtain the certificate for the person. That person should contact
the county clerk or the Secretary of State for information.
May notaries use rubber stamp signatures?
No. Notaries may not use facsimile signature stamps in signing his or her official certificates. A signature must be
written in ink as commissioned. In addition, a facsimile signature may not be notarized.
Is notarization required by law?
In many cases, yes. Some documents must be acknowledged before a notary, and other documents must be
signed under oath to be effective. It is not a notary’s duty to prepare the document, only to perform the notarial
act and complete the notarial certificate.
How do I renew my notary appointment?
There is no provision in Illinois Law for automatic renewal of your Notary Commission. Every 4 years you must
complete the Notary Application and Bond Form.
I have mailed a notary application. When may I begin notarizing documents?
An appointed notary public may begin notarizing documents when his or her commission has been recorded with
the county clerk and he or she has obtained an official notary public seal.
Should I accept a notary certificate from the county clerk that contains errors?
No, return the certificate to the county clerk detailing the error and request a corrected certificate.
How do I report a change in my home or work address or my name while I am serving as a notary public?
If you move or change employers and your new residence or place of employment is within the boundaries of the
county from which you were appointed, you merely report the change of address to the Secretary of State.
However, if you move out of the county, or if you are a non-resident notary who changes employment to another
county, you must resign your commission. Resignations should be submitted to the Secretary of State. You can
then apply for a new appointment.
When does a notary’s commission officially expire?
A notary public receives a four-year appointment. A notary’s commission expires at midnight of the expiration
date of the appointment.
If my notary appointment has expired and I have applied for a new appointment, may I continue to notarize
documents?
No. There is no grace period for a notary public once his or her appointment has expired. You may not perform
notarial acts until you have recorded your new appointment with the county clerk and have obtained a new seal
containing the date that your new term of office expires.
I would like to return to my maiden name. What does this involve?
Persons who change his or her name must resign his or her commission and apply for a new appointment.
Notarial Certificates
Below are examples of standard notarial certificates:
Acknowledgement - Individual:
State of Illinois
County of __________________
Signed and acknowledged before me on this __________day of _________________, 20_____,
by________________________________.
__________________________________ (NOTARY SEAL)
Signature of Illinois Notary Public
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acknowledgement - Representative Capacity:
State of Illinois
County of __________________
Signed and acknowledged before me on this __________day of _____________, 20_____,
by_________________________________ as (type of authority: officer, trustee, etc.) of (name of party on
behalf of whom instrument was executed).
__________________________________ (NOTARY SEAL)
Signature of Illinois Notary Public
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Verification Upon Oath or Affirmation - Individual:
State of Illinois
County of __________________
Signed and sworn/affirmed to before me this __________day of ______________, 20______,
by________________________________.
__________________________________ (NOTARY SEAL)
Signature of Illinois Notary Public
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Verification Upon Oath or Affirmation - Representative Capacity:
State of Illinois
County of __________________
Signed and sworn/affirmed to before me on this __________day of _____________, 20_____,
by_________________________________ as (type of authority: officer, trustee, etc.) of (name of party on
behalf of whom instrument was executed).
__________________________________ (NOTARY SEAL)
Signature of Illinois Notary Public
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Witnessing or Attesting a Signature:
State of Illinois
County of __________________
Signed or attested before me this ___________day of _____________, 20_____,
by_________________________________________________.
___________________________________ (NOTARY SEAL)
Signature of Illinois Notary Public
Below are examples of standard notarial certificates:
Acknowledgement - Individual:
State of Illinois
County of __________________
Signed and acknowledged before me on this __________day of _________________, 20_____,
by________________________________.
__________________________________ (NOTARY SEAL)
Signature of Illinois Notary Public
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acknowledgement - Representative Capacity:
State of Illinois
County of __________________
Signed and acknowledged before me on this __________day of _____________, 20_____,
by_________________________________ as (type of authority: officer, trustee, etc.) of (name of party on
behalf of whom instrument was executed).
__________________________________ (NOTARY SEAL)
Signature of Illinois Notary Public
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Verification Upon Oath or Affirmation - Individual:
State of Illinois
County of __________________
Signed and sworn/affirmed to before me this __________day of ______________, 20______,
by________________________________.
__________________________________ (NOTARY SEAL)
Signature of Illinois Notary Public
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Verification Upon Oath or Affirmation - Representative Capacity:
State of Illinois
County of __________________
Signed and sworn/affirmed to before me on this __________day of _____________, 20_____,
by_________________________________ as (type of authority: officer, trustee, etc.) of (name of party on
behalf of whom instrument was executed).
__________________________________ (NOTARY SEAL)
Signature of Illinois Notary Public
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Witnessing or Attesting a Signature:
State of Illinois
County of __________________
Signed or attested before me this ___________day of _____________, 20_____,
by_________________________________________________.
___________________________________ (NOTARY SEAL)
Signature of Illinois Notary Public
Support our troops.
We offer in office
notary and mobile
notary services.
Travel notary fees are
based upon mileage
and number of
documents needing to
be notarized. Please
call our office with
your exact address and
needs so that we can
give you a service fee
quote.
We offer notary service
for bank mortgage
services. Call to check
pricing.
notary and mobile
notary services.
Travel notary fees are
based upon mileage
and number of
documents needing to
be notarized. Please
call our office with
your exact address and
needs so that we can
give you a service fee
quote.
We offer notary service
for bank mortgage
services. Call to check
pricing.
| Fast Titles, Plates, and Notary Services. |
We offer services for banks, finance companies and legal documents for
everyone. We have competitively priced legal services. We are a mobile
notary that is willing and able to travel to you for your convenience. Our
notaries are trained and certified with several national organizations. See
the list of nationally recognized notary associations below. We have always
worked with the public to give them the best service for the price possible.
Call 217 528 1818 to set up a notary appointment or just drop by our office
at 2800 Clearlake Ave in Springfield.
everyone. We have competitively priced legal services. We are a mobile
notary that is willing and able to travel to you for your convenience. Our
notaries are trained and certified with several national organizations. See
the list of nationally recognized notary associations below. We have always
worked with the public to give them the best service for the price possible.
Call 217 528 1818 to set up a notary appointment or just drop by our office
at 2800 Clearlake Ave in Springfield.
Banks, finance company, legal services.
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