Illinois Notary Primer Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a valid notarization in Illinois?

1. The signer must be present

2. The document must be signed in front of the notary

3. The notary must know the signer for at least 3 years

4. The notary must keep a record of the notarization

The correct answer is: The notary must know the signer for at least 3 years

In Illinois, a valid notarization does not require the notary to have known the signer for a minimum of three years. Knowledge of the signer can come from a variety of contexts, such as personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence of identification, which can be provided through various means, including proper identification documents. This flexibility allows notaries to effectively carry out their duties regardless of the length of their relationship with the signer. The other requirements for a valid notarization are essential. The presence of the signer is fundamental to ensure they are willingly signing the document and understands the implications of their action. Additionally, the act of signing the document in front of the notary confirms that the notary can directly witness the signature, which is critical to the integrity of the notarization process. Keeping a record of the notarization is also important for maintaining an accurate log that could be referenced in the future, ensuring accountability and traceability of the notarization acts performed by the notary.