A notary public serves as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents, verifying the identity of signers and deterring fraud. In Illinois, notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State and authorized to perform specific notarial acts under the Illinois Notary Public Act (5 ILCS 312). Here's what they can — and can't — notarize.
Types of Notarial Acts in Illinois
Acknowledgment
The most common notarial act. The signer appears before the notary, presents valid ID, and acknowledges that they signed the document voluntarily. The notary doesn't witness the actual signing — the document can already be signed. Common for deeds, titles, and real estate documents.
Jurat (Oath or Affirmation)
The signer must sign the document in front of the notary and swear or affirm that the contents are true. Used for affidavits, sworn statements, and depositions. Lying on a sworn document is perjury.
Signature Attestation
The signer must sign the document in front of the notary. The signature is notarized by Notary Public.
Documents Commonly Notarized in Illinois
- Power of Attorney (Financial and Healthcare)
- Affidavits and Statutory Declarations
- Real Estate Deeds and Mortgage Documents
- Loan Documents and Refinancing Paperwork
- Wills and Living Wills (self-proving affidavit)
- Trusts and Estate Documents
- Immigration Forms (consent to travel letters, affidavits of support)
- Parental Consent for Minor Travel
- Vehicle Title Transfers
- Business Contracts and Agreements
- Authorization Letters
- Foreign-Use Documents (requiring notarization before Apostille)
What a Notary Cannot Do in Illinois
Illinois notaries are not attorneys and cannot:
- Provide legal advice or tell you which document to sign
- Notarize a document if the signer is not present
- Notarize a document they personally have an interest in
- Certify copies of vital records (birth, marriage, death, divorce certificates)
- Notarize a blank or incomplete document
- Notarize if they don't understand the language of the document (unless a qualified interpreter is present)
What to Bring to Your Notary Appointment
- Your document — complete and ready to sign (do not sign it before arriving for a jurat)
- Valid government-issued photo ID — driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID; must be non-expired and contain your photo and signature
- All required parties — if multiple people need to sign, all signers must appear in person with their own IDs
Notary Fees in Illinois
Illinois law caps notary fees at $5 per notarial act (per signature). For a single document with one signature, the notary fee is $5. For a document with multiple signers or multiple notarial acts, the fee is $5 per act. Mobile notary appointments also include a travel fee.
Power of Attorney in Illinois — Special Notes
Illinois law (755 ILCS 45) requires a Power of Attorney for Property (financial POA) to be signed in the presence of one witness and one notary, or two witnesses. A notary who is related to the principal cannot serve as witness. We recommend consulting an attorney before executing a POA for complex estate planning needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to sign the document before I arrive?
It depends on the notarial act. For an acknowledgment, you can sign beforehand. For a
jurat, you must sign in front of the notary. When in doubt, wait and sign at the appointment.
Can I get documents notarized in a language other than English?
Yes. We offer bilingual service in English and Hindi. For other languages, we can notarize the signer's
signature as long as we can verify identity — but we cannot notarize the content of a document we cannot read.
Can you come to me for notarization?
Yes. We offer mobile notary service within a 15-mile radius of Naperville, including homes, offices,
hospitals, and care facilities. Call or text 847-436-5222 to arrange.