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How to become a notary public in Illinois

Illinois licenses notaries statewide through the Illinois Secretary of State.1

Last checked · 6 official sources

Who issues it

Illinois Secretary of State

Training and experience

Applicant must give the Secretary of State satisfactory proof of completing any required course of study on notarization.2

From another state

No reciprocity route2

On this page
  1. Illinois notary public licenses
  2. Who needs a Notary Public license
  3. Requirements for a Notary Public license
  4. How to apply
  5. Moving to Illinois with a license from another state
  6. Electronic Notary Public
  7. City and county rules
  8. Laws and rules
  9. Common questions
  10. Notary public licenses in other states

Illinois notary public licenses

Illinois issues 2 notary public credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

LicenseWhat it coversExam
Electronic Notary PublicAn Illinois notary public with an electronic notary public commission may perform electronic notarial acts, including by audio-video communication, using technology approved by the Secretary of State.2Yes2
Notary PublicCommissioned by the Illinois Secretary of State to perform notarial acts. Any Illinois notary may also perform remote notarizations; electronic notarial acts need a separate electronic notary public commission.2–

Who needs a Notary Public license

Commissioned by the Illinois Secretary of State to perform notarial acts. Any Illinois notary may also perform remote notarizations; electronic notarial acts need a separate electronic notary public commission.2

Requirements for a Notary Public license

Education or training
Applicant must give the Secretary of State satisfactory proof of completing any required course of study on notarization.2
Background check
Applicant must not have been convicted of a felony or had a prior notary application or commission revoked by the Secretary of State.2
Residency or citizenship
U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Must have lived in Illinois for the 30 days before applying; a resident of a bordering state can apply after working or keeping a business in Illinois for 30 days.2
Also required
Proficient in English.2
Also required
The name and address on the application must match the applicant's current driver's license or state ID.2

How to apply

  1. Check that you qualify: U.S. citizen or permanent resident, English-proficient, no felony conviction or prior revocation, and 30 days' residence in Illinois (or 30 days working in Illinois if you live in a bordering state).2
  2. Complete the required notary course of study and keep the proof of completion.2
  3. Apply to the Secretary of State in the format it prescribes. The statute lets the SOS run an online application system for Illinois residents; an online application also asks for the full Illinois driver's license or ID card number and its issue date.3
  4. Once you meet every requirement, the SOS approves the commission and issues a unique commission number. You no longer register with a county clerk.2

Moving to Illinois with a license from another state

These are the routes the Illinois Secretary of State publishes for the Notary Public license. The other notary public licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
No reciprocity was found in 2-102. Residents of states bordering Illinois can get an Illinois commission after working or keeping a business in Illinois for the 30 days before applying; their application names the Illinois county of their principal place of work or business.2

Electronic Notary Public

An Illinois notary public with an electronic notary public commission may perform electronic notarial acts, including by audio-video communication, using technology approved by the Secretary of State.2

Requirements

Education or training
Proof of completing any required course of study on electronic notarization.2
Experience
Must already be commissioned as an Illinois notary public.2
License you must hold first: Illinois notary public commission2
Exam
Qualifying examination (electronic notarization)2
Residency or citizenship
Same as the notary commission: U.S. citizen or permanent resident, with 30 days' Illinois residence (or 30 days' work in Illinois for bordering-state residents).2
Also required
Describe the technology or device you will use to create your electronic signature; the technology must be approved by the Secretary of State.2

How to apply

  1. Hold an Illinois notary public commission. The statute lets the SOS run an online application system for both commissions for Illinois residents.3
  2. Complete the required electronic notarization course and pass the qualifying examination.2
  3. Apply to the Secretary of State, describing your electronic signature technology and providing your electronic signature.2
  4. After approval you receive a commission number; perform electronic acts only with SOS-approved technology.2

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
Only Illinois-commissioned notaries can obtain an Illinois electronic notary public commission.2

City and county rules

Notary PublicNo city or county notary license. Since July 1, 2022 the Secretary of State processes all notary applications and commissions; county clerks no longer register new commissions or notary signatures. Certificates of authority come from the Secretary of State (Sangamon County still issues them, at $2.00 per document, for notaries commissioned in Sangamon County).4

City or countyWhat it requiresLink
Cook County (Chicago)No county notary registration; the SOS processes all applications, notary signatures and certificates of authority.1Official page1
Sangamon County (Springfield)New commissions are registered and processed by the SOS, and certificates of authority for newly registered notaries come from the SOS. The County Clerk issues certificates of authority for notaries commissioned in Sangamon County ($2.00 per document) and notarizes for the public ($1.00 per notarization); these are services, not license fees.5Official page5
DeKalb CountySince July 1, 2022 the SOS handles commissions and sends the commission directly to the applicant; signatures are no longer registered with the County Clerk; the SOS is responsible for all certificates of authority.4Official page4
Champaign County (Champaign, Urbana)Since July 1, 2022 the SOS handles all notary matters.6Official page6

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

Can I transfer my notary public license to Illinois?

No reciprocity was found in 2-102. Residents of states bordering Illinois can get an Illinois commission after working or keeping a business in Illinois for the 30 days before applying; their application names the Illinois county of their principal place of work or business.2 Conditions and forms.

Notary public licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. Business and Notary Services - Cook County ClerkCook County Clerk's OfficeChecked November 7, 2026
  2. 5 ILCS 312/2-102Illinois General AssemblyChecked November 7, 2026
  3. 5 ILCS 312/2-102.5 Online application systemIllinois General AssemblyChecked November 7, 2026
  4. Notary Services - DeKalb CountyDeKalb County Clerk & RecorderChecked November 7, 2026
  5. Notary Commissions - Sangamon County ClerkSangamon County ClerkChecked November 7, 2026
  6. Notary Info - Champaign County ClerkChampaign County ClerkChecked November 7, 2026