Illinois (IL)
Manual Only
Research Illinois notary commissions. Illinois requires manual lookup through the official state database.
Visit Illinois Official Notary Database
How to Research a Illinois Notary
Illinois provides an online notary public search maintained by the Secretary of State.
To verify an Illinois notary commission:
1. Go to https://apps.ilsos.gov/notarysearch/
2. Enter the notary's name, commission number, city, or zip code.
3. Click Search and review the results.
4. Verify the commission number, status, and expiration date.
5. If the online search is unavailable, call the Illinois Secretary of State's Index Department at (217) 782-7017.
Reference: https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/index/notary.html
To verify an Illinois notary commission:
1. Go to https://apps.ilsos.gov/notarysearch/
2. Enter the notary's name, commission number, city, or zip code.
3. Click Search and review the results.
4. Verify the commission number, status, and expiration date.
5. If the online search is unavailable, call the Illinois Secretary of State's Index Department at (217) 782-7017.
Reference: https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/index/notary.html
How to Verify a Illinois Notary's Signature
Illinois notaries must record their commission with the county clerk of the county in which they reside. The appointment is not complete until the commission is recorded with the county clerk.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Identify the county of residence (this may appear on the notarial certificate or seal).
2. Contact the county clerk in that county -- the clerk maintains the recorded commission.
3. You may also contact the Illinois Secretary of State's Index Department at (217) 782-7017 to confirm commission status.
Reference: 5 ILCS 312/2-102, 312/2-103
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Identify the county of residence (this may appear on the notarial certificate or seal).
2. Contact the county clerk in that county -- the clerk maintains the recorded commission.
3. You may also contact the Illinois Secretary of State's Index Department at (217) 782-7017 to confirm commission status.
Reference: 5 ILCS 312/2-102, 312/2-103
Verifying Older Illinois Documents
The Illinois Secretary of State's online notary search may include both current and expired commissions.
1. Search at https://apps.ilsos.gov/notarysearch/ -- expired commission data may still appear in results.
2. If not found online, contact the Secretary of State's Index Department at (217) 782-7017 for historical records.
3. You may also contact the county clerk in the county where the notary recorded their commission.
Commission term: 4 years.
1. Search at https://apps.ilsos.gov/notarysearch/ -- expired commission data may still appear in results.
2. If not found online, contact the Secretary of State's Index Department at (217) 782-7017 for historical records.
3. You may also contact the county clerk in the county where the notary recorded their commission.
Commission term: 4 years.
Illinois Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
Illinois requires every notary to obtain and use an official rubber stamp seal on all notarized documents.
Seal requirements (5 ILCS 312/3-101):
- Type: Rubber stamp (required); an embosser alone is NOT sufficient
- Shape: Rectangular, not more than 1 inch high by 2.5 inches wide, with a serrated or milled edge border
- Must include: (i) the words "Notary Public", (ii) "State of Illinois", (iii) "My commission expires" followed by the expiration date
- Must be affixed using black ink, capable of photographic reproduction
- Illinois notaries are commissioned statewide (jurisdiction is not limited to the county of residence)
- The notary must sign every notary certificate with the same name that appears on the commission
Seal requirements (5 ILCS 312/3-101):
- Type: Rubber stamp (required); an embosser alone is NOT sufficient
- Shape: Rectangular, not more than 1 inch high by 2.5 inches wide, with a serrated or milled edge border
- Must include: (i) the words "Notary Public", (ii) "State of Illinois", (iii) "My commission expires" followed by the expiration date
- Must be affixed using black ink, capable of photographic reproduction
- Illinois notaries are commissioned statewide (jurisdiction is not limited to the county of residence)
- The notary must sign every notary certificate with the same name that appears on the commission
Contacting a Illinois Notary
The following is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
We make no warranty regarding its accuracy or completeness.
Consult a qualified attorney before taking action.
Illinois — Contacting the Notary for Verification
Illinois has comprehensive notary journal requirements. Every notary public and electronic notary public must maintain a journal of each notarial act (5 ILCS 312/3-107; 14 IAC 176.900).
Right to inspect:
- Any person may inspect an entry in the official journal of notarial acts during the notary's regular business hours (14 IAC 176.950).
- The requestor does not need to be a party to the transaction.
- Inspection requests made through law enforcement investigative requests, by the Secretary of State, or by subpoena in the course of criminal or civil litigation or administrative proceedings shall be complied with in the manner specified in the request or subpoena.
What can be requested:
- Journal entry details: date and time of the notarial act, type of notarial act performed, type and title of the document or proceeding, signature and printed name and address of each person whose signature is notarized, fee charged, and method of identification (14 IAC 176.920).
- If satisfactory evidence was used, the type of identification credential, issuing agency, serial or identification number, and date of issuance and expiration.
- Thumbprint: Illinois previously required thumbprints for Cook County real estate conveyances (5 ILCS 312/3-102), but this requirement expired on July 1, 2018. Thumbprints are no longer required.
Key considerations:
- If the notary refuses a lawful request, a court order or subpoena can compel production.
- Notaries must retain journals in tangible format for a minimum of 7 years after the final notarial act recorded in the journal (14 IAC 176.900).
- A notary public who holds a commission may continue to use the journal until completion of that journal or expiration of that commission, whichever occurs first (5 ILCS 312/3-107).
- Contact: Illinois Secretary of State, Notary Public Division — (217) 782-7017
Relevant statutes: 5 ILCS 312/3-107; 14 IAC 176.900; 14 IAC 176.920; 14 IAC 176.950
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.
Illinois has comprehensive notary journal requirements. Every notary public and electronic notary public must maintain a journal of each notarial act (5 ILCS 312/3-107; 14 IAC 176.900).
Right to inspect:
- Any person may inspect an entry in the official journal of notarial acts during the notary's regular business hours (14 IAC 176.950).
- The requestor does not need to be a party to the transaction.
- Inspection requests made through law enforcement investigative requests, by the Secretary of State, or by subpoena in the course of criminal or civil litigation or administrative proceedings shall be complied with in the manner specified in the request or subpoena.
What can be requested:
- Journal entry details: date and time of the notarial act, type of notarial act performed, type and title of the document or proceeding, signature and printed name and address of each person whose signature is notarized, fee charged, and method of identification (14 IAC 176.920).
- If satisfactory evidence was used, the type of identification credential, issuing agency, serial or identification number, and date of issuance and expiration.
- Thumbprint: Illinois previously required thumbprints for Cook County real estate conveyances (5 ILCS 312/3-102), but this requirement expired on July 1, 2018. Thumbprints are no longer required.
Key considerations:
- If the notary refuses a lawful request, a court order or subpoena can compel production.
- Notaries must retain journals in tangible format for a minimum of 7 years after the final notarial act recorded in the journal (14 IAC 176.900).
- A notary public who holds a commission may continue to use the journal until completion of that journal or expiration of that commission, whichever occurs first (5 ILCS 312/3-107).
- Contact: Illinois Secretary of State, Notary Public Division — (217) 782-7017
Relevant statutes: 5 ILCS 312/3-107; 14 IAC 176.900; 14 IAC 176.920; 14 IAC 176.950
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.