IL Notary Notary Bond Requirements and Commission Maintenance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the required bond amount for an Illinois notary public?
- $1,000
- $5,000 (Correct answer)
- $10,000
- $25,000
Correct answer: $5,000
Illinois requires notaries to obtain a surety bond of $5,000.
Under the Illinois Notary Public Act, every notary public must obtain and maintain a $5,000 surety bond throughout the term of their commission.
Question 2: Who does the notary bond protect?
- The notary against lawsuits
- The public against notary misconduct (Correct answer)
- The notary's employer
- The surety company
Correct answer: The public against notary misconduct
The notary bond protects the public by providing a financial remedy if the notary causes harm.
The notary surety bond exists to protect members of the public who may suffer financial loss due to a notary's misconduct, errors, or negligence.
Question 3: How long is the standard term of an Illinois notary commission?
- 2 years
- 4 years (Correct answer)
- 5 years
- 10 years
Correct answer: 4 years
An Illinois notary public commission is valid for a four-year term.
Illinois notary commissions are issued for a four-year term. Upon expiration, the notary must apply for reappointment.
Question 4: What must an Illinois notary do with their commission and seal when their term expires?
- Destroy the seal and notify the Secretary of State (Correct answer)
- Continue using them until the renewal is processed
- Store them for future reuse
- Return them to the county clerk
Correct answer: Destroy the seal and notify the Secretary of State
When a commission expires, the notary must destroy or deface their seal to prevent unauthorized use.
When an Illinois notary's commission expires, resigns, or is revoked, the notary must destroy or deface their notarial seal to prevent any further use.
Question 5: If a claim is paid on an Illinois notary's bond, what happens to the notary?
- Nothing, the bond company absorbs the cost
- The notary must reimburse the surety company (Correct answer)
- The notary's commission is automatically renewed
- The notary receives a tax deduction
Correct answer: The notary must reimburse the surety company
When a surety company pays a claim on a notary bond, the notary is responsible for reimbursing the surety company.
A notary bond is not insurance that protects the notary. When a surety company pays a claim against the bond, the notary is legally obligated to reimburse the surety company.
Question 6: What is required to renew an Illinois notary commission before it expires?
- Simply paying the renewal fee
- Submitting a new application, bond, and oath of office (Correct answer)
- Passing a notary examination
- Obtaining a recommendation from a sitting judge
Correct answer: Submitting a new application, bond, and oath of office
Renewal requires a new application, a new surety bond, and a new oath of office.
Illinois does not offer a simplified renewal process. The notary must submit a new application, obtain a new surety bond, and take a new oath of office.
IL Notary Notary Bond Requirements and Commission Maintenance 2
What is the required bond amount for an Illinois notary public?