Have you ever wondered what goes into becoming a notary public? Illinois notary publics are impartial witnesses who verify the identity of signers and witness the signing of important documents. To become a notary, you must first obtain a bond, which is a form of insurance that protects the public from any losses of official seal that may result from your actions as a notary. You will also need to purchase a notary seal, which is used to stamp or emboss your official notary signature on documents. While the requirements for becoming a notary may seem daunting, once you have all the necessary notary supplies, you'll be ready to begin your new career!
The Requirements For Becoming A Notary Public In Illinois
You must:
- Be a resident of Illinois or have a place of employment or practice in Illinois.
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Be able to read and write English.
- Not have been convicted of a felony.
To notary public in Illinois, you must first file an application with the Secretary of State. The form for the application can be found online at the Secretary of State's website. Once the application has been completed and filed, you will be contacted by the office to schedule an appointment for your notary public examination.
The Examination Consists of Two Parts:
- A written examination of the duties and responsibilities of a notary public.
- An oral examination.
You must pass both parts of the examination to be appointed as a notary public.
You will also be required to purchase a notary public stamp and a journal in which to record all your notarial acts.
The Importance Of Having A Surety Bond And How To Obtain One?
A surety bond is a three-party agreement between the surety (company guaranteeing the obligations of another party), the principal (the party who purchases the bond and is obligated to the bond), and the obligee (person or entity protected by the bond). In Illinois, a Notary must purchase Notary Bond. This bond protects the people of Illinois from financial losses due to dishonest or fraudulent activities committed by a Notary Public. The surety company that issues the bond is responsible for any losses up to the full amount of the bond. If you are interested in becoming a Notary Public in Illinois, you must first purchase a Notary Bond. You can purchase this bond from a surety company or through a professional bonding company.
Once you have obtained the bond, you must file it with the Secretary of State's office.
You will also need to apply, which includes your Social Security number and pay a filing fee. After your bond and application have been filed, you will be notified by the Secretary of State's office as to whether you have been approved to become a Notary Public.
What Is The Difference with Illinois Notary Stamps?
A regular wood handle stamp is one where you must manually apply ink to the stamp each time before using it. A self-inking stamp has a built-in ink pad that automatically inks the die (the raised image) of the stamp each time it is used. Self-inking Illinois notary stamp and seal is available for thousands of uses without re-inking and lasts for years with proper care.
Many benefits come with using a self-inking stamp, such as:
- They’re extremely convenient as you don’t have to worry about ink smudging or running out.
- They offer a clean and consistent impression each time.
- They’re much more durable than regular stamps as the parts are less likely to wear out.
- They don’t require a separate ink pad, so they’re great for travel.
If you’re looking for a high-quality self-inking stamp, we offer a wide selection of stamps that are perfect for any notary public. All our stamps are made with the highest quality materials and backed by a 100% state board guarantee.
The Necessity Of A Illinois Notary Stamp And Where To Purchase Illinois Notary Supplies
In this section, we will tell you everything you need to know about getting your notary seal so that you can be prepared for your next notarization.
As an Illinois notary, you are required to have a stamp or seal with which to sign and date your documents. Your notary seal should include the following information:
- Your name as it appears on your commission certificate
- The words “Notary Public, State of Illinois”
- The current commission expiration date
- Your notary registration number is permitted but not required
You can purchase your notary stamp or seal from a variety of vendors. You can also purchase your notary supplies from a variety of online retailers. When choosing where to purchase your supplies, be sure to compare prices and shipping costs. Some vendors may offer discounts for bulk purchases.
How Do I Get an Illinois Notary Stamp?
You may purchase these at any office supply store, online retailer, or EngineerSealStamps.com. At ESS our production time is about one business day and we make our Illinois Notary Stamps up to state requirements. We sell self-inking stamps and also pre-inked stamps.
Other Illinois Notary Supplies - Do Illinois notaries have to keep a Journal?
You will need your Illinois Notary Stamp but what other notary supplies will you need? A notary journal will help you keep track of all of your notarial acts. Sometimes when you notarize a document, not all of the required language is on the paperwork so supplemental notary stamps can help.
What is a Notarial Record?
A Notarial Record (as shown in 5 ILCS 312/3-102) is the document created when a notary notarizes a document of conveyance for qualifying residential real property ONLY in Cook County. The Notarial Record is completed by the seller and notary and contains information mandated by the new law. Please see the updated notary handbook for more information.
How To Get Started As A Notary Public?
If you're interested in becoming a notary public, the first step is to contact your state's Notary Division. In Illinois, the Secretary of State's office manages the notary public program. You can find more information about requirements and how to apply on their website. Once you've been sworn in as a notary public, you'll need to purchase a few supplies. This includes a notary journal, a seal, and bonding insurance.
You can find all the supplies you need to get started as a notary public at ESS. We offer a variety of stamps and seals, as well as notary journals.
If you require notary supplies in the state of Illinois, there are a few different ways that you can go about ordering them. You can either purchase them directly from the Secretary of State’s office, or a third-party vendor. Both options have their own set of advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to weigh your options before deciding.
You cannot go wrong with Engineer Seal Stamps when it comes to high-quality seals at an affordable price.
About ESS
Illinois notaries are ready to start signing official acts as soon as they get their certificate and we have the official set up. The most popular choice is a self-inking stamp. Simply choose your ink color and add your information as it was given to you by the state.
