Notary Public
Illinois law requires all Notaries to purchase and maintain a Notary surety bond for the duration of their 4-year commission. Risk Management and Insurance provides assistance to Northwestern University employees seeking a Notary surety bond to obtain Notary Public status for university business.
Important Updates
- University employees applying to become a Notary Public or Electronic Notary Public must use the Secretary of States online application. The online portal is now the standard method for submitting all new, renewal, and electronic notary applications.
Notary Surety Bond Process*
Risk Management and Insurance will complete the Surety Bond section in its capacity as the Surety Bonding Company. Once the form has been finalized and payment has been processed, it will be returned to the applicant.
Step 1: Complete the Notary Public Bond Form
Obtain and complete a Notary Public Bond form from the Illinois Secretary of State website. You must complete the first half of the form; the second half is to be completed by the surety bonding company.
- The form can be typed or handwritten legibly by only using black ink.
- The name and signature of the applicant must be exactly the same.
- The form needs to be notarized and signed by a notary other than the applicant.
- The Notary Bond section should be pre-filled (if typed)
- Provide Full Name of Applicant as Principal/Applicant.
- List Rubicon Insurance Co. C/o Northwestern University as Bonding/Insurance Company.
- The applicant must provide their signature as Principal/Notary Public Applicant.
Step 2: Submit the Notary Surety Bond Payment Form
Submit the Notary Surety Bond Payment form and provide a university chart string to cover the applicable bond fee. See below for details.
Notary Surety Bond Fees
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Surety Bond Amount
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Description
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Fee Amount
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$5,000
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New and renewing Notaries interested in performing notarial acts for signers that are physically in your presence only.
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$25.00
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$25,000
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Notaries who already hold a $5,000 bond and wish to also perform notarial acts for remotely located signers must purchase an additional $25,000 bond.
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$35.00
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$30,000
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New and renewing Notaries interested in performing notarial acts for remotely located signers (as well as those physically in your presence).
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$45.00
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Step 3: Mail Your Notary Public Bond Form
Send the original completed Notary Public Bond Form to Risk Management and Insurance.
The Secretary of State only accepts completed forms with original signatures.
Step 4: Record Your Commission
Once you've obtained your commission from the Secretary of State, notify Risk Management and Insurance by Recording Your Commission.