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Illinois notary journal requirements

Illinois requires a journal of all notarial acts. The Secretary of State sets the entry format. US Notary Journal is an electronic notary journal that asks for exactly what Illinois expects in each entry.

Journal required?

Required for every act

Electronic journal allowed?

State guidance on electronic journals is not settled. Check with your commissioning office before using one as your only journal.

How long to keep it

No period found in statute. Keeping it at least 10 years is common practice.

Thumbprint

Optional

Source

5 ILCS 312/3-107

What a Illinois journal entry must include

• Date and time of the act
• Type of notarial act
• Document type or description
• Signer name
• Signer address
• How identity was proven (ID type)
• ID issue and expiration dates
• Fee charged
• Signer signature

Good to know

• Do not surrender your journal to an employer.
• Check the Secretary of State rules on electronic journals and on recording biometrics before relying on this app as your only journal.

An electronic notary journal for Illinois

Choose Illinois as your commission state and US Notary Journal sets up the entry form above, warns you about the Illinois fee cap where one applies, and locks each finished entry so it cannot be altered. Use it on your phone at the signing and on your computer at the office.

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Last checked 2026-10-25. General information, not legal advice.