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Message from the Cook County Recorder of Deed's Office

New State Laws Initiate Major Changes To Notarial Duties And How Employers Supervise Notaries

New Record Law
Effective June 1, 2009

New ID Law
Effective June 1, 2009

New Case Law
Effective now

All Illinois NOTARIES and certain EMPLOYERS OF NOTARIES must comply.

All Illinois NOTARIES must comply.

All Illinois NOTARIES and EMPLOYERS OF NOTARIES are affected.

Senate Bill 546 introduces a new statewide requirement for documenting, delivering and retaining information about properties and signers when notarizing certain "documents of conveyance" for properties located in Cook County.

Senate Bill 546 also introduces new requirements for "satisfactory evidence" of identity when Notaries take acknowledgments, verifications upon oath or affirmation and signature witnessings. Identification documents presented must meet four new requirements to be accepted for notarizations.

The Illinois Appellate Court ruled that Notaries and their employers can be held to a higher standard of performance than mandated by state statutes. Vancura v. Katris (December 26, 2008) expands common-law duties of Notaries and employers.

Legislative, Judicial Measures Mark Sweeping Changes For Illinois Notaries And Employers


Penny Cooper, administrator for the Index Deparment's Notary Division, witnesses the signature of the new Governor of Illinois, Pat Quinn, who signs her Notary Journal.

Culminating a major effort to reduce mortgage fraud and increase consumer protection across the state, three new mandates for Illinois Notaries — two legislative and one judicial — have not only imposed new responsibilities on the state’s Notaries, but also expanded the duty of employers to ensure that their Notary-employees use notarial practices that do not risk harm to the public.

These measures significantly affect every Notary and business employing Notaries in the state. It is critically important that all Notaries and their employers become familiar with these new rules and standards. Accordingly, the National Notary Association has worked closely with state and county officials to make available authoritative training on the new requirements.