Notary Public

How to become a Notary Public

The process to become a Notary Public begins with the Office of the Secretary of State. To begin, visit the SOS website to download the application form. You may also call their office at 217-782-7017, and have one sent to you.

Notaries are appointed by the Secretary of State for a four-year term.

An applicant for an appointment must be a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, be a resident of the State of Illinois for at least 30 days, be at least 18 years of age, be able to read and write the English language, have not been convicted of a felony, and have not had a notary commission revoked during the past 10 years.

An applicant must complete the application form provided by the Secretary of State and must obtain a notary bond valued at $5,000 from a bonding or surety company. As of July 1, 2022, the Index Division will contact you about your commission as Notary Commissions will no longer be handled by the County Clerk.

If you need a duplicate Commission Certificate because it was lost, missing, did not receive, etc.… please follow the directions below:

  1. If your Commission Certificate was issued on or before June 30, 2022, please check with the County Clerk and verify that you have signed the signature card, if you have not then the County Clerk's Office will ask that you complete that.  If you have completed those items then the County Clerk's Office will advise you to email the Secretary of State, Index Department and the Index Department will mail you a duplicate certificate.  The Duplicate Commission Certificate should be mailed from the Index Department about 1-2 weeks from the date we receive the email from your office.  The email should be sent to enotary@ilsos.gov.
  2. If your Commission Certificate was issued on or after July 1, 2022, the County Clerk's Office advises you to contact the Secretary of State Index Department at  enotary@ilsos.gov or telephone 1-217-782-7017.