Illinois notary surety bond

A Illinois notary surety bond is a promise, backed by a surety company, that helps pay a person who is harmed by a mistake or by misconduct of a notary. The bond is for the public. It is not for the notary. If the surety pays a claim, the notary usually has to pay the surety back.

Illinois notary bond at a glance

Bond amount

$5,000 for standard notarization; $25,000 for remote or electronic notarization; a combined $30,000 bond satisfies both

Commission term

Four years for Illinois residents; one year for qualifying residents of a bordering state

Commissioned by

Illinois Secretary of State

What Illinois requires

1. Apply to the Illinois Secretary of State for your commission.
2. Buy a $5,000 bond for standard, in-person notarization, for a four year term.
3. If you also plan to notarize remotely or electronically, add a $25,000 bond, or combine both into a single $30,000 bond.
4. Submit the bond with your application.

Illinois is one of the few states where the bond amount depends on what kind of notarizing you do. $5,000 covers standard, in-person work. Remote or electronic notarization needs a separate $25,000 bond, though a single $30,000 bond can cover both.

Illinois residents get a four year commission. A resident of a bordering state whose workplace is in Illinois can also be commissioned, but only for one year, and only if that neighboring state extends the same right to Illinois residents.

A notary bond does not replace notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. The bond pays the public. E&O protects you.

State rules change. Always check with the Illinois commissioning authority for the current requirements before you apply. Details on this page were last checked on 2026-08-12.

Apply online in minutes. Same day issue is available in most cases.

A notary bond protects the public. E&O insurance is intended to protect you, the notary, against a claim that comes from an error, a mistake or alleged misconduct in your notarial work. Many Illinois notaries add an E&O policy next to the bond.