Illinois Notary Primer Practice Exam

Is it true that an Illinois Notary Public can use a rubber stamp as their official seal?

1. True

2. False

3. Only in certain situations

4. Only if the stamp is authorized

The correct answer is: True

An Illinois Notary Public is permitted to use a rubber stamp as their official seal. This is established under the Illinois Notary Public Act, which specifies that a notary's seal must include certain elements such as the notary's name, the words "Notary Public," the county of appointment, and the state of Illinois. The use of a rubber stamp is a common and accepted method for applying this seal to documents. In practice, using a rubber stamp for the official seal provides consistency and ensures that the information required by law is clearly printed. It allows for efficient document handling, especially since notaries often work with multiple documents each day. While it is crucial for the stamp to meet the legal requirements, the allowance of rubber stamps adds flexibility for notaries in their work. The options that suggest restrictions or conditional use do not align with this straightforward regulation, where a rubber stamp is fully acceptable as long as it meets the required specifications outlined by Illinois law.