Free Illinois Notary Timed Practice Exam (50 Questions)

50 questions, 60-minute countdown. The timer starts on your first answer. No signup. Why 50 and 60?

1. Who is liable to the persons involved for damages caused by a notary's official misconduct? (Prohibited acts, liability & penalties) The notary and the surety on the notary's bond Only the employer Only the Secretary of State No one

2. Is special technology required for a remote (not electronic) notarization under the handbook? (Remote & electronic notarization) Yes, a digital certificate No; any real-time audio-video connection that lets parties see and hear clearly and can record Yes, an approved platform Yes, a state-issued device

3. When is the witnessing/attesting short form used? (Notarial acts & certificates) When an oath is required For corporate acknowledgments only For certified copies When witnessing a signature and an oath is not necessary or required

4. What is the penalty for a non-attorney notary who accepts payment for legal advice? (Prohibited acts, liability & penalties) A warning A business offense: a fine of 3 times the amount received or $1,001 minimum, plus restitution Nothing A $50 fine

5. Which name must appear on the application? (Appointment & qualifications) A nickname The official name as on the applicant's current driver's license or state ID Any preferred name The employer's name

6. How does an Illinois notary voluntarily resign? (Prohibited acts, liability & penalties) Let the bond lapse Simply stop notarizing Notify the Secretary of State in writing and physically return the stamp Call the county clerk

7. Which language requirement applies to Illinois notary applicants? (Appointment & qualifications) Proficiency in English Proficiency in any language Bilingual English and Spanish None

8. An electronic notary uses audio-video communication and the signer is not personally known. What must the notary use to confirm identity? (Remote & electronic notarization) Remote presentation of a government ID, credential analysis of its front and back, and a dynamic knowledge-based authentication assessment The signer's email A phone call A selfie only

9. What are the maximum dimensions of an Illinois notary seal? (Duties, seal, fees & journal) 2 inches in diameter 1 inch high by 2.5 inches long 1 inch by 3.5 inches 1.5 inches by 3 inches

10. A person signs as an attorney in fact for a principal. In what capacity are they signing? (Notarial acts & certificates) An individual capacity A witness capacity A representative capacity A notarial capacity

11. Which is one way a notary has “satisfactory evidence” of identity under Section 6-102(d)? (Notarial acts & certificates) The person is identified upon the oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally known to the notary A coworker vouches by phone The person signs the journal The person shows a business card

12. The Secretary of State requests a journal entry. Within how many days must the notary produce it to avoid possible suspension? (Duties, seal, fees & journal) 10 days 30 days 60 days 5 days

13. Under Section 7-108(a)(3), a licensed attorney-notary may have their commission revoked if they are what? (Prohibited acts, liability & penalties) Over 70 Late on CLE Practicing out of state Sanctioned, suspended, or disbarred by the ARDC or the Illinois Supreme Court

14. What must an electronic notarial certificate include? (Remote & electronic notarization) The signer's password A thumbprint A wet-ink signature A notation that the notarization is an electronic notarization

15. What may a non-attorney charge to complete one immigration form? (Duties, seal, fees & journal) $10 per form $25 per form $5 per form $75 per form

16. Before performing an electronic notarial act by audio-video, what must the electronic notary tell all participants? (Remote & electronic notarization) That the electronic notarization will be electronically recorded Nothing The fee schedule only Their home address

17. Which is NOT an action the Secretary of State may order after finding a prohibited act? (Prohibited acts, liability & penalties) Imprison the notary directly Refer to the State's Attorney or Attorney General Issue a letter of warning Suspend the commission

18. Is a separate commission required to perform electronic notarizations in Illinois? (Remote & electronic notarization) No Only for out-of-state signers Yes, an electronic notary public commission in addition to the traditional one Only for real estate

19. A person convicted of a felony 20 years ago applies to be an Illinois notary. Are they eligible? (Appointment & qualifications) Yes, after 10 years Yes, if it was nonviolent No Yes, with a pardon letter only

20. May the commission expiration date on the seal be handwritten? (Duties, seal, fees & journal) No; it must be imprinted Only on renewals Yes, in black ink Yes

21. Which short-form wording is used for witnessing or attesting a signature? (Notarial acts & certificates) “Signed or attested before me on (date) by …” “Subscribed and sworn to before me” “Witness my hand and seal” “This instrument was acknowledged before me”

22. What is the result of a notary failing to cooperate with a Secretary of State investigation? (Prohibited acts, liability & penalties) A small fine only A reminder letter Nothing Suspension or revocation of the commission

23. When does an Illinois notary commission expire? (Appointment & qualifications) At noon on the expiration date At midnight on the expiration date At the end of that month 30 days after the expiration date

24. In taking an acknowledgment, what must the notary determine? (Notarial acts & certificates) That the document is legally valid That the signer read every page aloud From personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence, that the person appearing is the person whose true signature is on the instrument That the contents are true

25. During a remote notarial act under 6-102.5, what must the signatory attest to? (Remote & electronic notarization) Being physically located in Illinois Having read the Act Being a U.S. citizen Owning the document

26. How long must a notary subject to 3-103 keep the signed written acknowledgments (“I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY…”) from customers? (Prohibited acts, liability & penalties) 5 years Throughout the current commission and 2 years after 1 year Not required

27. How much instruction must an approved Illinois notary course provide? (Appointment & qualifications) 8 hours 1 hour 3 hours (at least 180 minutes) 6 hours

28. What is the additional fee for an electronic notary public commission? (Appointment & qualifications) $15 $5 $40 $25

29. Does a voluntary resignation stop a pending investigation into the notary? (Prohibited acts, liability & penalties) Yes No Only after 30 days Only if the stamp is returned

30. What is the total filing fee when applying for both notary public and electronic notary public at the same time? (Appointment & qualifications) $15 $40 $30 $25

31. Where may an Illinois notary perform notarial acts? (Duties, seal, fees & journal) Throughout the state, as long as they reside in the county of commission Only in Cook County Only in their county Anywhere in the U.S.

32. For a remote notarial act, how long must the audio-video recording be preserved, and by whom? (Remote & electronic notarization) 7 years, by the notary No requirement 1 year, by the Secretary of State At least 3 years, by the signatory or the signatory's designee

33. After a commission ends, how long must notarial records required under Section 6-104 be kept? (Duties, seal, fees & journal) 5 years after termination 10 years 1 year No requirement

34. What must all Illinois notaries provide for fees accepted? (Duties, seal, fees & journal) Itemized receipts, with notarial fees shown separately, plus records A receipt only on request Verbal confirmation Nothing

35. What is an “acknowledgment” under 5 ILCS 312/6-101(b)? (Notarial acts & certificates) A sworn statement that a document's contents are true A notary's signature on a blank form A certified copy of a record A declaration by a person that they executed an instrument for the purpose stated in it

36. Within how many days must a notary public remittance agent forward an applicant's application and fee? (Appointment & qualifications) 30 days 5 days 60 days 10 days

37. Which of these is NOT listed as a notarial act in Section 6-101(a)? (Notarial acts & certificates) Witnessing or attesting a signature Taking an acknowledgment Administering an oath or affirmation Certifying a copy of a vital record

38. When a notary leaves a job, who keeps the journal? (Duties, seal, fees & journal) The Secretary of State The county clerk The notary; it may not be surrendered to the employer The employer

39. May a notary take an acknowledgment from someone they actually know has been adjudged mentally ill by a court and not restored to mental health? (Prohibited acts, liability & penalties) No Yes Yes, with two witnesses Yes, with a guardian's ID

40. What bond amount is required for a traditional Illinois notary commission? (Appointment & qualifications) $5,000 $15,000 $25,000 $10,000

41. Must a notarial act in Illinois be evidenced by a certificate? (Notarial acts & certificates) Only for oaths Yes, signed and dated by the notary, identifying the jurisdiction and bearing the official seal Only for acknowledgments No

42. Are Illinois notary commissions automatically renewed? (Appointment & qualifications) Yes Yes, for attorneys Yes, if the bond is renewed No; the Secretary mails a notice at least 60 days before expiration

43. Within how many business days must a notary report a lost, stolen, or compromised journal to the Secretary of State? (Duties, seal, fees & journal) 5 business days 30 days 10 business days after discovery Immediately

44. May an Illinois notary use a facsimile signature stamp on certificates? (Duties, seal, fees & journal) Yes No Only with consent Only for bulk documents

45. According to the handbook, which item must appear on the seal right after the words “Commission No.”? (Duties, seal, fees & journal) The bond number The notary's county The notary's commission number The notary's phone number

46. When may a resident of a bordering state be commissioned as an Illinois notary? (Appointment & qualifications) When their place of work or business is in an Illinois county and their state lets Illinois residents be notaries there Never When they pay a $100 fee When they own Illinois property

47. What must an identification document bear to be acceptable under Section 6-102(d)(3)? (Notarial acts & certificates) Only a photo A thumbprint Only a signature A photo of the person's face and the person's signature

48. May an electronic notary sell personal information learned during an electronic notarization? (Remote & electronic notarization) No, except as required by law, law enforcement, the Secretary of State, or court order Only to the vendor's partners Yes, with a fee disclosure Yes

49. Which statement about the electronic signature and seal is correct? (Remote & electronic notarization) They may be shared with an assistant They may be used for non-notarial purposes The employer controls them They must be kept secure and under the notary's exclusive control; no one else may use them

50. A notary negligently commits official misconduct. What class of offense is it? (Prohibited acts, liability & penalties) A Class A misdemeanor A Class B misdemeanor Not an offense A business offense

60:000/50 answered

About this timed practice exam

Illinois rules set the course final exam at 50 questions and a passing score of at least 85% (14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.235). They set no time limit, so the 60-minute timer is our practice pace, not an official limit. Ask your course provider for its own rules. The rules publish no topic weights, so topics are mixed roughly in proportion to our 168-question Illinois bank. Here: Appointment & qualifications 11, Duties, seal, fees & journal 11, Notarial acts & certificates 9, Remote & electronic notarization 9, Prohibited acts, liability & penalties 10.

“which shall consist of 50 questions from a test bank of a minimum of 100 questions.”

Source: 14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.235 (Course completion and final examination)

“A student must score at least 85% on the final examination.”

Source: 14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.235 (Course completion and final examination)

Is this the same as the Illinois notary exam?

It has the same number of questions, 50, that 14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.235 sets for the course final exam. The rules set no time limit, so the 60-minute timer is our practice pace. The questions are original, not from any provider's exam.

What score do I need to pass the Illinois notary exam?

At least 85% on the course final exam (14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.235). Aim for 85% or better here, but this is practice, not a prediction of your result.

Does it repeat the free 20-question test?

No. These 50 questions do not overlap with the free 20-question Illinois sample. The full bank has 168 questions.

Independent study aid. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any state agency, exam vendor or course provider. All questions are original practice questions written from official public sources; they are not actual exam questions. Laws and fees change, so confirm details with the official source before you rely on them. Official sources: Illinois Notary Public Handbook (PDF), 5 ILCS 312 Illinois Notary Public Act, 14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.205 (course and exam).

Last verified: October 5, 2026.

Free Illinois Notary Timed Practice Exam (50 Questions)

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About this timed practice exam

Is this the same as the Illinois notary exam?

What score do I need to pass the Illinois notary exam?

Does it repeat the free 20-question test?