IL Notary Maximum Allowable Fees and Fee Schedule Display 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum fee an Illinois notary may charge for performing a notarial act?
- $5.00
- $10.00
- $25.00 (Correct answer)
- $50.00
Correct answer: $25.00
Under current Illinois law, the maximum fee a notary may charge for a notarial act is $25.00.
The Illinois Notary Public Act sets the maximum allowable fee at $25.00 per notarial act.
Question 2: Is an Illinois notary required to charge a fee for notarial services?
- Yes, the minimum fee is $5.00
- Yes, to maintain professional standards
- No, the notary may waive fees entirely (Correct answer)
- No, but they must charge at least $1.00
Correct answer: No, the notary may waive fees entirely
Illinois notaries are not required to charge any fee and may provide notarial services free of charge.
Illinois law establishes a maximum fee but does not impose a minimum. Notaries may choose to waive their fee entirely.
Question 3: Where must an Illinois notary display their fee schedule?
- On their business website only
- In a conspicuous location at their place of business (Correct answer)
- Filed with the county clerk's office
- Printed on every notarized document
Correct answer: In a conspicuous location at their place of business
Illinois law requires notaries to display their fee schedule in a conspicuous place at their regular place of business.
The Illinois Notary Public Act requires notaries who charge fees to display their fee schedule prominently at their regular place of business.
Question 4: An Illinois mobile notary travels to a client's location. Can they charge a travel fee in addition to the notarial fee?
- No, the notarial fee must cover all costs
- Yes, travel fees are separate from notarial fees (Correct answer)
- Only if the travel distance exceeds 25 miles
- Only with prior written agreement from the client
Correct answer: Yes, travel fees are separate from notarial fees
Illinois notaries may charge a separate, reasonable travel fee for mobile services in addition to the statutory notarial fee.
The statutory fee cap applies specifically to the notarial act itself. Mobile notaries may charge a separate, reasonable travel fee.
Question 5: What happens if an Illinois notary charges more than the maximum allowable fee?
- The notarization is automatically void
- The notary must refund the excess amount only
- The notary may face commission revocation and penalties (Correct answer)
- Nothing, as fee limits are advisory only
Correct answer: The notary may face commission revocation and penalties
Overcharging constitutes a violation of the Illinois Notary Public Act and can result in revocation of the notary's commission.
Charging more than the maximum allowable fee is a violation of the Illinois Notary Public Act.
Question 6: Can an Illinois notary charge different fees for different types of notarial acts?
- No, all notarial acts must be charged the same fee
- Yes, as long as each fee does not exceed the maximum (Correct answer)
- Only if approved by the Secretary of State
- Yes, but only for government vs. private documents
Correct answer: Yes, as long as each fee does not exceed the maximum
Illinois notaries may set different fees for different types of notarial acts, provided no single fee exceeds the statutory maximum.
Illinois law does not require notaries to charge a uniform fee for all notarial acts.
IL Notary Maximum Allowable Fees and Fee Schedule Display 2
What is the maximum fee an Illinois notary may charge for performing a notarial act?