Illinois Notary Primer Practice Exam

When must a notary renew their commission to avoid lapsing?

1. Before the expiration of their commission

2. After the expiration of their commission

3. Every year, regardless of expiration

4. Only if they want to continue operating

The correct answer is: Before the expiration of their commission

A notary must renew their commission before the expiration of their current commission to avoid lapsing. In Illinois, the notary commission has a specific term, and if the notary does not initiate the renewal process prior to its expiration, their ability to perform notarial acts will cease until the renewal is completed. This proactive approach is essential for maintaining continuous authorization and preventing any interruption in notarial services. Waiting until after the commission has expired would result in a lapse, which means the notary would need to go through the application process again as a new applicant, rather than simply renewing their existing commission. Additionally, renewing every year regardless of expiration is not required, as notaries typically have a term of four years for their commission. Finally, the option stating that a notary only needs to renew if they want to continue operating could lead to service interruptions if this renewal isn't managed in a timely manner before expiration.