The cost to become a notary in Illinois runs roughly $110 to $200 for a standard four-year commission, covering everything the state requires: the application fee, a training course and exam, a $5,000 surety bond, a rubber stamp seal, and a notarial journal. If you also want authorization to perform electronic or remote notarizations, add about $25 in state fees plus a higher bond premium. Most applicants who stick to paper notarizations end up spending $140 to $170.
The $15 Application Fee
The Illinois Secretary of State charges a $15 non-refundable fee for a four-year notary commission.1Justia Law. Illinois Code 5 ILCS 312 – Article II Appointment Provisions Adding electronic notarization authorization costs another $25, for a combined $40 when you apply for both at once.2Illinois Secretary of State. Illinois Notary Public Handbook
Paper applications include an oath that has to be notarized by an existing notary.2Illinois Secretary of State. Illinois Notary Public Handbook Illinois caps that fee at $5, and many notaries charge less.3FindLaw. Illinois Code 5 ILCS 312-3-104 – Maximum Fee
Training Course and Exam: $30 to $60
Every applicant must complete a state-approved course and pass an exam before receiving a commission, whether you’re new or renewing.4Illinois General Assembly. Illinois Code 5 ILCS 312 – Illinois Notary Public Act Once you pass, you have two years to submit your application.5Illinois General Assembly. Illinois Administrative Code 14-176-176.205 – Course of Study and Examination
Prices vary by provider. State-approved programs generally run $30 to $60, with several online options around $49. Confirm your provider appears on the Secretary of State’s approved list before paying.
A narrow exemption exists for licensed attorneys in good standing, sitting Illinois or federal judges, and employees of licensed attorneys or courts who are renewing an existing commission. They can skip the course and exam but must submit a signed statement confirming they’ve read the current Notary Public Act.5Illinois General Assembly. Illinois Administrative Code 14-176-176.205 – Course of Study and Examination
Surety Bond Premium: $30 to $50
Illinois requires every notary to obtain a four-year $5,000 surety bond before receiving a commission.1Justia Law. Illinois Code 5 ILCS 312 – Article II Appointment Provisions You don’t pay the full bond amount. You pay a premium to a bonding company, typically $30 to $50 for the entire four-year term on the standard $5,000 bond.
The bond is not insurance for you. It protects the public if a mistake on your part causes financial harm, and the bonding company can seek reimbursement from you if it pays out a claim.
Notaries authorized to perform electronic or remote audio-video notarizations need an additional $25,000 bond, and Illinois allows both to be combined into a single $30,000 bond.1Justia Law. Illinois Code 5 ILCS 312 – Article II Appointment Provisions The premium on a combined bond often runs $50 to $100, depending on the underwriter.
Seal and Journal: $30 to $70 Combined
Illinois law requires every notary to obtain an official rubber stamp seal on receiving a commission, with specific content and dimensions set by statute.6Illinois General Assembly. Illinois Code 5 ILCS 312-3-101 – Notary Public Official Seal and Electronic Notary Public Electronic Seal A compliant stamp from an online vendor typically costs $15 to $30.
You also have to keep a journal recording each notarial act.7Illinois General Assembly. Illinois Code 5 ILCS 312 – Illinois Notary Public Act A bound notary journal runs $15 to $40 from most suppliers.
Add-Ons for Electronic and Remote Notarization
If you plan to notarize electronically or conduct remote online notarizations by video, the extra costs go beyond the $25 application fee and larger bond. You’ll also need an electronic seal matching your rubber stamp, plus access to a platform handling identity verification, credential analysis, and tamper-evident record storage.6Illinois General Assembly. Illinois Code 5 ILCS 312-3-101 – Notary Public Official Seal and Electronic Notary Public Electronic Seal
Several remote online notarization platforms bundle these tools into a monthly subscription starting around $15 to $25 per month, though some charge per session. If you only handle paper documents in person, none of this applies.
Optional Errors and Omissions Insurance
E&O insurance is not required by Illinois law. It fills a gap the surety bond leaves open: the bond protects the public and lets the bonding company come after you, while E&O covers your own legal defense and settlements if someone sues over an unintentional mistake.
Annual premiums run roughly $25 to $100 depending on coverage amount. Some insurers offer policies spanning the full four-year commission term, which can lower the per-year cost.
What You Can Charge Back Per Notarization
Illinois caps notary fees at $5 per standard notarial act. For notarizations that require travel to the signer or for electronic notarial acts, the cap rises to $25.3FindLaw. Illinois Code 5 ILCS 312-3-104 – Maximum Fee Those limits are worth keeping in mind when figuring out how quickly your startup costs pay for themselves.
Total and Renewal Costs
The mandatory costs for a standard, non-electronic Illinois notary commission:
- Application fee: $15
- Oath notarization: up to $5
- Training course and exam: $30 to $60
- Surety bond premium: $30 to $50
- Rubber stamp seal: $15 to $30
- Notarial journal: $15 to $40
That puts the total mandatory investment at roughly $110 to $200, with most applicants landing between $140 and $170. Add the $25 fee and a higher bond premium if you want electronic authorization, plus $15 to $25 per month if you subscribe to a remote online notarization platform. Optional E&O insurance adds $25 to $100 per year.
The commission itself lasts four years, and the Secretary of State sends a renewal notice about 60 days before expiration.8Illinois Secretary of State. Notary Services Renewal carries the same $15 application fee, a new bond, and a fresh training course unless you qualify for the attorney or judge exemption.