IL Notary - Illinois Notary Electronic & Remote Notarization 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the difference between electronic notarization and remote online notarization (RON) in Illinois?
- They are the same thing
- Electronic notarization is in-person with electronic tools; RON is fully remote via video (Correct answer)
- RON uses paper documents; electronic notarization uses digital
- Electronic notarization requires more training than RON
Correct answer: Electronic notarization is in-person with electronic tools; RON is fully remote via video
Electronic notarization is in-person using electronic tools, while RON is fully remote via audio-video.
Illinois distinguishes between two types of technology-assisted notarization. Electronic notarization is performed in person using electronic signatures and seals. RON allows the entire process to occur remotely.
Question 2: What must an Illinois notary do before performing electronic notarizations?
- Nothing beyond their standard commission
- Purchase specific hardware approved by the state
- Comply with the Illinois Electronic Notarization Act requirements (Correct answer)
- Obtain a separate license from the Department of Technology
Correct answer: Comply with the Illinois Electronic Notarization Act requirements
Illinois notaries must comply with the Electronic Notarization Act requirements.
Before performing electronic notarizations, an Illinois notary must comply with the Illinois Electronic Notarization Act.
Question 3: In Illinois electronic notarization, what replaces the traditional ink stamp or embossed seal?
- A scanned image of the physical seal
- An electronic seal that is tamper-evident and uniquely linked to the notary (Correct answer)
- No seal is needed for electronic documents
- A typed notation of the notary's commission information
Correct answer: An electronic seal that is tamper-evident and uniquely linked to the notary
Electronic notarization uses a tamper-evident electronic seal uniquely linked to the notary.
In electronic notarization, the traditional physical seal is replaced by an electronic seal with cryptographic tamper-evidence.
Question 4: Can an Illinois notary refuse to perform an electronic notarization and insist on paper?
- No, they must offer electronic notarization if requested
- Yes, a notary may choose to perform only traditional paper notarizations (Correct answer)
- Only if they lack the proper technology
- Only for certain document types
Correct answer: Yes, a notary may choose to perform only traditional paper notarizations
An Illinois notary is not required to offer electronic notarization services.
Illinois law does not require notaries to offer electronic notarization services.
Question 5: How are electronic notarization records stored under Illinois law?
- On the notary's personal computer only
- In a secure, tamper-evident electronic format with backup capabilities (Correct answer)
- On paper printouts of the electronic documents
- In the Secretary of State's central database
Correct answer: In a secure, tamper-evident electronic format with backup capabilities
Electronic notarization records must be stored in a secure, tamper-evident format with backups.
Illinois requires electronic notarization records to be maintained securely with tamper-evidence and backup capabilities.
Question 6: What happens to electronically notarized documents if the notary's digital certificate expires?
- All previously notarized documents become invalid
- Previously notarized documents remain valid; the certificate validated them at the time of signing (Correct answer)
- The documents must be re-notarized within 30 days
- The Secretary of State issues new certificates automatically
Correct answer: Previously notarized documents remain valid; the certificate validated them at the time of signing
Documents notarized with a valid certificate remain valid even after the certificate expires.
Documents properly notarized while the certificate was valid remain fully valid and enforceable.
IL Notary - Illinois Notary Electronic & Remote Notarization 2
What is the difference between electronic notarization and remote online notarization (RON) in Illinois?