Illinois Notary Primer Practice Exam

True or False: An Illinois Notary Public can notarize a document without using their official seal.

1. True

2. False

3. Only if the document does not require notarization

4. Only if the signer requests it

The correct answer is: False

In Illinois, a Notary Public must use their official seal when performing notarizations. The use of the seal is mandated by law and serves as a verification tool for the authenticity of the notary's actions and the document being notarized. The seal includes specific information, such as the notary's name, the words "Notary Public," and the county of commission, necessary for the document's legal validity. Notarizations performed without a seal are generally considered incomplete and can lead to legal complications or rejection by receiving entities. This requirement ensures that the notary’s credentials and the legitimacy of the notarized document are properly recognized and verifiable. Therefore, it is not permissible to notarize a document without the official seal, affirming that the statement is false.