Illinois Notary Bond Overview
- Purpose: To protect the public and the state from illegal notary actions
- Who Needs It: Any person applying to become a public notary in Illinois
- Regulating Body: The Illinois Secretary of State
- Bond Amount: $5,000 or $30,000 for remote notaries
- Premium Price: $30–$90
What Is an Illinois Notary Bond?
An Illinois notary bond ensures that notaries follow the law and act ethically. All notaries public in Illinois need a $5,000 surety bond or $30,000 if performing remote notarizations.
By filing the bond, you agree to perform all duties as required by law. The bond protects your clients if you fail to do so.
How Much Do Notary Bonds Cost?
Illinois notary bonds cost a low, flat rate of $30–$50 for four years of coverage, depending on whether you are doing remote notarizations.
All bonds come with $5,000 of errors and omissions (E&O) coverage. You can add on more E&O for just $20–$40 extra. Buy your bond in minutes.
SuretyBonds.com offers the lowest available rates from our nationwide provider network with no added fees.
Bond and E&O Requirements for Illinois Notaries
All standard notaries in Illinois need a $5,000 surety bond and remote notaries need a $30,000 bond. Both bonds come with errors and omissions coverage. Here’s how they work together:
- Surety Bond: Can reimburse clients for notary malpractice or serious professional mistakes
- E&O Insurance: Protects a notary if a client takes legal action due to accidental errors or omissions
In other words, the notary bond protects your clients while E&O insurance protects you.
Other Notary-Related Surety Bonds in Illinois
There are two additional notary-related surety bonds that businesses or professionals may need in Illinois:
- $50,000 Illinois Notary Public Study Course Bond
- $20,000 Notary Public Remittance Agent Bond
Use the link above to apply for the notary course provider bond. Please call 1(800) 308-4358 for a remittance agent bond quote.
How to Get Your Notary Bond
You can get your Illinois notary bond in minutes using the form on this page. It only takes three steps:
- Select your bond and E&O coverage option
- Enter your personal information
- Provide payment details
We’ll email you the bond right after you check out. If you don’t see the bond in 5–10 minutes, please check your junk folder.
How Does a Notary Bond Work?
When you file an Illinois notary bond, you enter a legally-binding contract with two other parties.
- Principal: You, the bonded notary public
- Obligee: The Illinois Secretary of State – Index Department
- Surety: Us, the issuing surety provider
If you break the bond terms, anyone harmed can file a claim on the bond. If a claim is valid, the surety reimburses the damages up to the bond amount.
How Do I Renew My Bond?
Illinois notary bonds last for four years. If you renew your notary commission, you’ll also need to renew the surety bond.
We’ll send out helpful email and text reminders before your bond expires. Just pay the renewal premium and we’ll issue a new bond for your next term. If you’re not renewing your commission, you can simply let the bond expire.
Can I Make Changes to My Bond?
If you need to update information on your bond form like a name or address, contact your surety company. You can reach us at [email protected] with the change request.
When possible, we issue free bond rider forms to amend existing bond forms.
How to Become a Notary Public in Illinois
The Illinois Secretary of State enforces notary commission and bond requirements. You’ll need to meet these basic qualifications:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be fluent in English
- Be a resident or qualifying non-resident of Illinois
- Have never been removed from a notary commission or convicted of a felony
Learn exactly how to become an Illinois notary public by reading our quick guide.
Note: If you’re not a state resident, you must submit a paper notary commission application rather than using the online portal.
