Notary Public Permit Requirements in Chicago, IL

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you operate as an LLC/corporation or have employees. Sole proprietor notaries with no employees may use their SSN.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Illinois Notary Public Commission (Secretary of State)

   Apply to the Illinois Secretary of State for a 4-year notary public commission. You must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, an Illinois resident for the 30 days before applying (or a qualifying border-state resident), proficient in English, with no felony conviction and no prior revoked commission. First-time applicants and renewing notaries must complete the Secretary of State's required course of study on notarization and pass the examination at its conclusion (5 ILCS 312/2-101.5). A $5,000 surety bond must accompany the application. Illinois residents must apply online unless they qualify for a hardship exemption; questions go to 217-782-7017 or [email protected].

   Official government source

   $15 appointment fee paid to the Secretary of State (5 ILCS 312/2-103(a)), plus the premium your surety charges for the $5,000 bond. An electronic notary public commission costs an additional $25, but that fee is currently waived by statute.·Filed online through the Secretary of State's notary application system; the commission is issued once the application, bond verification and course/exam results are on file.

   $15 appointment fee paid to the Secretary of State (5 ILCS 312/2-103(a)), plus the premium your surety charges for the $5,000 bond. An electronic notary public commission costs an additional $25, but that fee is currently waived by statute.

   Filed online through the Secretary of State's notary application system; the commission is issued once the application, bond verification and course/exam results are on file.

2. Illinois Notary Surety Bond ($5,000)

   Every application for an Illinois notary public commission must be accompanied by an executed surety bond in the sum of $5,000, running for the 4-year term of the commission, issued by a company qualified to write surety bonds in Illinois (5 ILCS 312/2-105). The bonding company submits verification of the bond directly to the Secretary of State. A notary who also performs remote or electronic notarizations by audio-video communication must carry an additional $25,000 bond; a single $30,000 bond satisfies both requirements.

   Official government source

   No government fee. The bond premium is set by the private surety company; the state fixes only the bond amount, $5,000 for a standard 4-year commission ($30,000 combined if you also notarize remotely).·Issued by the surety, usually the same day; must be in place when the commission application is filed.

   No government fee. The bond premium is set by the private surety company; the state fixes only the bond amount, $5,000 for a standard 4-year commission ($30,000 combined if you also notarize remotely).

   Issued by the surety, usually the same day; must be in place when the commission application is filed.

3. Notary Errors & Omissions Insurance (optional)

   Illinois law does not require notaries to carry errors and omissions insurance. The only mandatory financial requirement is the $5,000 surety bond (plus a $25,000 bond for remote or electronic notarization). The bond protects the public and the surety can seek reimbursement from the notary; E&O insurance is what protects the notary personally against claims arising from an unintentional mistake. Coverage is sold by private insurers and notary associations in tiers commonly starting at $25,000.

   Official government source

   No government fee. Premiums are set by private insurers and vary by coverage limit and term; there is no state-published price.·Can be purchased online at any time, usually effective immediately.

   No government fee. Premiums are set by private insurers and vary by coverage limit and term; there is no state-published price.

   Can be purchased online at any time, usually effective immediately.

1. Chicago Business License (if operating a notary business)

   If you operate a standalone notary business (notary signing agent services, mobile notary, etc.) in Chicago, you generally need a City of Chicago Limited Business License from BACP. If notarization is incidental to another licensed profession (e.g., attorney), a separate business license may not be required. Fees are flat, not based on gross receipts.

   Official government source

   $500 for a 2-year license (effective 1/1/2026)·1–3 weeks

   $500 for a 2-year license (effective 1/1/2026)

   1–3 weeks

Official Sources

• Illinois — Notary Public Requirements
• Illinois Secretary of State
• National Notary Association — State Requirements

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