Illinois Notarial Acts Act — 2024 Changes
Illinois notary law was substantially modernized with the Notarial Acts Act, which took effect January 1, 2024. For traditional in-person paper notarizations, Illinois does not impose a mandatory journal requirement. The new law does, however, create clear journal and record-keeping obligations for electronic notarizations and RON.
Journal Requirements for Electronic and Remote Notarization
Under the Notarial Acts Act, Illinois notaries performing electronic or remote online notarizations must maintain:
- A secure electronic journal of each electronic or remote notarial act
- Each entry must include: date and time, type of act, description of the document, name and address of each signer, and the method of identity verification used
- For RON: an audio-visual recording of the session
- All records retained for a minimum of 10 years
Best Practice for Paper Notarizations
While not required for paper notarizations, the Illinois Secretary of State recommends that notaries maintain a journal. For signing agents working in Chicago's competitive real estate market, most title companies and signing services expect journal records as a condition of their approved vendor requirements.
Illinois Commission Facts
| Element | Illinois |
|---|---|
| Governing authority | IL Secretary of State |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Bond | $5,000 surety bond |
| Journal (paper) | Not required — recommended |
| Journal (electronic/RON) | Required — 10-year retention |
Frequently Asked Questions
Illinois does not have a state-issued notary signing agent certification. The notary commission is the legal credential. Signing services operating in Illinois typically require NNA certification, a background check, and E&O insurance. The Notarial Acts Act did not create an NSA-specific licensing tier.
Illinois accepts government-issued photo identification including Illinois driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, and permanent resident card. The Notarial Acts Act codifies the acceptable ID standard more explicitly than the prior law, aligning Illinois more closely with the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) model.