Notary Public / Illinois
2026 data Illinois board official source

Illinois Notary Public License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Authorized to perform notarizations. Commissioned in all 50 states.

What the Illinois data shows for Notary Publics

Illinois's path to notary public licensure runs through board-approved instruction and a passing score on a state-approved exam, plus a criminal history screening. Illinois folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Varies".

The initial price tag is $75 every 4 years. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in Illinois, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

Illinois evaluates out-of-state credentials case-by-case rather than through a published reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

A-
Licensing Ease Score
83/100
Notary Public · Illinois

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training A+
None required
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B+
$75
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Illinois

Education / Training Hours
Varies
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$75
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 4 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Notary Public All Illinois licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Illinois licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Notary Public in Illinois? ▼
Illinois's requirements cover, a state exam, and an initial fee of $75. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Notary Public in Illinois? ▼
To become a licensed notary public in Illinois, you must meet the state's requirements. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Illinois licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Notary Public license to Illinois from another state? ▼
Out-of-state notary public credentials get a case-by-case review in Illinois rather than automatic recognition. Interstate compacts exist for a number of professions and might still help. Confirm the details with the Illinois licensing board.
Does Illinois require a background check for Notary Public licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for notary public licensing in Illinois. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.

Related Guides

What to do with this notary public license

Notary Public in Illinois is one requirement row in a notary public-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Illinois licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.