Illinois Notary Journal Requirements

Illinois journal rules at a glance

• Required for every notarial act (paper or electronic). Acts on candidate nomination petitions are exempt.
• Each entry includes: the signer's name, any credible witness, the document title or description, the date, whether done in person, remotely, or electronically, the fee, and where the notary and signer were located.
• Electronic journals must prevent edits after entry and be securely backed up.
• The journal belongs to the notary, even if the employer keeps its own records.
• Notaries working for a law firm that keeps copies of notarized documents are exempt from keeping a journal during that job.
• A lost or stolen journal must be reported to the Secretary of State within 10 business days.
• Retention period: Not confirmed — check the official source.

From the official Illinois notary sources, checked October 20, 2026: law.justia.com (1), law.justia.com (2), law.justia.com (3), law.justia.com (4). Lines marked "Not confirmed" need checking with the state. General information, not legal advice.

Inside the Illinois Notary Journal

• 500 numbered entries, laid out the way Illinois entries should be recorded.
• The fields Illinois requires, and nothing it doesn't allow you to record.
• A built-in Illinois notary handbook in the back matter, with loan-signing basics and a notary info log.
• Original Illinois cover art from Uptown Seal Press.
• Paperback or hardcover, printed to order and shipped free.