How to Become an Illinois Notary in 2026
Illinois requires a 3-hour approved course + exam (mandatory since January 2024), a $5,000 bond, and a rectangular rubber stamp (not circle or embossing — common costly mistake). Journal mandatory since June 2023. Chicago NSAs earn $100–$175/signing.
Commission Cost
~$100 – $175
NSA-Ready Cost
~$365 – $790
Chicago Signing Fee
$100 – $175
Commission Term
4 years
RECTANGULAR stamp required — NOT circle or embossing seal
Illinois specifically requires a rectangular rubber ink stamp. Purchasing a circular seal or embossing seal is a common and expensive mistake — the wrong shape must be replaced. Required since the Illinois Notary Public Act was updated.
Mandatory journal since June 2023
Since June 2023, Illinois notaries must maintain a mandatory journal documenting all notarial acts. Required fields include date, signer info, ID method, fee, and document description.
Best Illinois Notary Training Programs (2026)
1. NNA (Illinois Package)Best All-in-One
IL state-approved 3-hour course + exam, $5,000 bond, rectangular stamp, mandatory journal, 5-year NNA Hotline (matches IL 4-year commission). Verify current pricing at NNA.
Verify
at NNA
2. Loan Signing System (LSS)Best NSA Training
#1 rated NSA training. Chicago Metro is one of the top NSA markets in the Midwest with $100-$175 signing fees. $347 one-time or 4x$97/mo.
$347
Six Figure
3. NNA NSA CertificationIndustry Standard
Background check + NSA certification required by most Chicago area title companies. $199 (background + training) or $299 (adds NNA membership).
$199
or $299
Best Illinois Notary Training Programs
All 2 schools are Illinois Illinois Secretary of State-approved. Price: Low to High.
Quick Price Comparison (Course Only)
NNA NSA Certification
Industry Standard CredentialStarting at
$199
- Industry-standard background check required by most title companies
- NSA Certification Training and Exam (80%+ passing)
- Listing on SigningAgent.com directory included
- Mark Wills recommends getting BOTH LSS certification AND NNA certification
Available Packages (2)
Background Screening + Training
- Background Screening (required by mortgage industry)
- NSA Certification Training and Exam
- Listing on SigningAgent.com
Loan Signing System (LSS) - Mark Wills
Best NSA Training CourseStarting at
$347
- #1 rated NSA training course - 100,000+ students nationwide
- Chicago metro and suburbs are the top Illinois NSA markets
- Includes LSS Certification recognized by title companies
- 4 months LIVE 1:1 mentorship + biweekly coaching calls
- 100% money-back guarantee within 30 days
Available Packages (1)
Six Figure Course
- NSA Training + LSS Certification
- 9-Step Notary Business Blueprint
- Video walkthroughs of all 5 loan signing types
- 4 months mentorship + coaching calls
- 300+ companies hiring signing agents
- Payment plan: 4 x /month
Prices verified March 2026. Prices may change. Always confirm current pricing on the school's website before enrolling.
Illinois Notary — 4 Key Facts
3-hr course + exam (mandatory Jan 2024)
All applicants — attorneys exempt at renewal (Jan 2025)
Applies to new applicants and renewals
RECTANGULAR stamp — common mistake
Not circle, not embossing
Wrong shape = must buy replacement
Mandatory journal since June 2023
Full documentation required
Date, signer, ID, fee, document
Chicago = top Midwest NSA market
$100-$175/signing
Dense suburbs add high volume
How Much Do Illinois Notary Signing Agents Earn?
Chicago Metro Fee
$100 – $175
Per signing appointment
Full-Time Chicago NSA
$60K – $100K+
Direct title relationships
Statewide Range
$75 – $150
Per loan signing
How to Become an Illinois Notary — Step by Step
Complete 3-hour IL SOS-approved course and pass exam (required since Jan 2024)
Complete a state-approved 3-hour notary course and pass the embedded exam. Required for all applicants since January 1, 2024. Illinois attorneys are exempt from the course requirement at renewal (January 2025 update). NNA includes state-approved training.
Obtain $5,000 surety bond
Bond from a licensed Illinois surety. Cost: ~$40-$70 for 4-year term. NNA packages include the bond. RON upgrade requires $30,000 bond.
Submit application to IL SOS with $15 fee
Apply to Illinois Secretary of State at ilsos.gov. $15 application fee.
Purchase RECTANGULAR rubber stamp and mandatory journal
Critical: Illinois requires a rectangular rubber ink stamp — NOT a circular seal or embossing seal. The wrong shape must be replaced. Journal mandatory since June 2023.
Add NSA training for Chicago loan signing income
Loan Signing System ($347) + NNA background check ($199) + E&O insurance (~$100-$250/yr). Chicago Metro is one of the Midwest's top NSA markets. RON ($30K bond upgrade) adds remote income.
Illinois Notary Requirements
Commission Requirements
- Age 18+; IL resident or IL-employed
- 3-hour SOS-approved course + exam (mandatory Jan 2024)
- IL attorneys exempt from course at renewal (Jan 2025)
- $5,000 surety bond (4-year)
- $15 SOS application fee
- RECTANGULAR rubber stamp (NOT circle or embossing)
- Mandatory journal (since June 2023)
- 4-year commission term
Regulator + RON
- Agency: Illinois Secretary of State
- Website: ilsos.gov
- Statute: Illinois Notary Public Act, 5 ILCS 312
- RON: Authorized; $30,000 bond required
- Attorney exemption: Renewal only (since Jan 2025)
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Frequently Asked Questions — Illinois Notary
How do I become a notary public in Illinois?
Complete a 3-hour state-approved notary education course and pass its exam (required since January 1, 2024). Submit your application to the Illinois Secretary of State with the $15 fee and proof of your $5,000 surety bond. Purchase a rectangular rubber stamp seal (Illinois specifically requires rectangular — not circle or embossing) and a notary journal (mandatory since June 2023).
What changed about Illinois notary requirements in 2024?
As of January 1, 2024, all new and renewing Illinois notaries must complete a 3-hour state-approved notary education course and pass its embedded exam. This applies to both new applicants and renewals. Illinois attorneys are exempt from the course and exam at renewal (January 2025 update).
Why does Illinois require a rectangular stamp specifically?
Illinois law requires a rectangular rubber ink stamp — not a circular seal and not an embossing seal. This is a common and expensive mistake: purchasing the wrong stamp shape means you must replace it. The rectangular stamp must include your name, "Notary Public," "State of Illinois," and commission expiration date. This requirement has caught many new notaries off guard.
What is the mandatory journal requirement in Illinois?
Since June 2023, Illinois notaries must maintain a mandatory notary journal documenting all notarial acts. The journal must include: date, type of notarization, name and address of signer, ID method used, fee charged, and brief description of the document. Retain journal records per current Illinois requirements.
Does Illinois require a surety bond?
Yes. Illinois requires a $5,000 surety bond covering the full 4-year commission term. Bond cost is typically $40-$70. NNA packages include the bond bundled with supplies. RON upgrades require a $30,000 bond.
How much does it cost to become an Illinois notary?
Basic commission: ~$100-$175 ($15 SOS application + $40-$70 bond + $25-$50 rectangular stamp + $15-$30 journal). NSA-ready total: ~$365-$790 (add LSS training $347, NNA background check $65, E&O insurance $100-$250/yr).
How much do Illinois notary signing agents earn?
Chicago Metro is Illinois's top NSA market with premium fees driven by high home values. Typical Illinois signing fees: $75-$150 statewide; Chicago and dense suburbs $100-$175. Full-time Chicago-area NSAs with direct title company relationships report $60,000-$100,000+.
What is the RON upgrade for Illinois?
Illinois supports Electronic Notary (eNotary) and Remote Online Notarization (RON) with additional requirements. RON requires a $30,000 bond (vs. $5,000 for standard) and compliance with electronic notarization rules. RON is a strong add-on income source for Chicago operators.
Are Illinois attorneys exempt from the notary course?
Yes — at renewal only. A January 2025 update exempts Illinois attorneys (admitted to the IL bar) from the 3-hour course requirement at renewal. New attorney applicants still need to comply. Verify current requirements at ilsos.gov.
What are the best Illinois markets for notary signing agents?
Chicago Metro is by far the largest and most active market with high home values and premium signing fees. The dense suburbs (Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake counties) have extremely active mortgage activity. Rockford, Springfield, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal provide steady secondary volume.
Income Disclaimer: Salary figures are estimates based on publicly available data and vary significantly by state, market, experience level, employer type, and individual effort. Past or average earnings are not a guarantee of future results. CertLaunch makes no income guarantees of any kind.
Sources:
Licensing requirements, exam fees, and course availability change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board before enrolling or submitting any application. Learn how we source our data.