Illinois Notary Primer Practice Exam

What should a notary do if their name changes during their commission?

1. Notify their clients

2. File a name change notification with the Secretary of State

3. Change their seal immediately

4. Wait until the next renewal

The correct answer is: File a name change notification with the Secretary of State

When a notary's name changes during their commission, it is essential to file a name change notification with the Secretary of State. This procedure ensures that the state records accurately reflect the notary's current legal name, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of notarial acts and public trust. A notary must have their official commission documents match their current name to avoid any potential legal issues or confusion regarding their notarial authority. Proper notification is imperative because it allows the notary to continue performing notarial duties without discrepancies. Updating the Secretary of State helps ensure that all pertinent information is aligned and that the notary's seal can reflect their current name as required by Illinois law. While notifying clients and changing the seal may seem important, these actions would be premature without first updating the official state records. Simply waiting until the next renewal would not address the immediate need for accurate identification and could lead to challenges in validating their notarial acts.