Illinois Notary Fee — $5 Per Act (5 ILCS 312/3-104)
Illinois sets notary public fees by statute. As of June 2026, the maximum fee for a traditional non-electronic notarization is $5 per notarial act, established in 5 ILCS 312/3-104 as amended by Public Act 102-160. This was an increase from the previous $1 maximum. Illinois is a per-act state — the $5 cap applies to each notarial act.
Illinois Statutory Notary Fee Cap (as of June 2026)
| Notarial Service | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Non-electronic notarial act — per act (§3-104) | $5.00 |
| Electronic notarial act — per act (§3-104; ILAC §176.540) | $25.00 |
Source: 5 ILCS 312/3-104 (P.A. 102-160); Electronic notarization confirmed by ILAC §176.540. Maximum allowed by state law as of June 2026.
How Illinois Notary Fees Are Structured
Illinois is a per-act state. The $5 cap applies to each notarial act. A document where two people each sign and need notarization = two notarial acts = up to $5 × 2 = $10 at the statutory maximum.
Before P.A. 102-160 took effect, the Illinois cap was just $1 per act — so the current $5 cap represents a significant increase, though it remains low compared to California ($15/sig) or Texas ($10 first sig).
Use the notary fee calculator to estimate for any number of acts instantly.
Mobile Notary Fees in Illinois
Illinois law does not regulate mobile travel fees. A notary who comes to your home or office may separately charge for travel. Typical market rates range from $25 to $75 for daytime appointments within roughly 20 miles. Chicago metro area rates may be higher due to traffic and parking.
After-hours or same-day service typically adds another $25–$75. See the mobile notary fees guide for a complete breakdown.
Online Notary Fees in Illinois
Illinois has authorized electronic notarization. An Illinois electronic notary may charge up to $25 per electronic notarial act, recognizing that part of this fee covers the technology platform costs. Major platforms like Notarize and NotaryLive charge approximately $25 per session. See the online notary cost guide for platform-by-platform pricing.
Where to Get Free or Low-Cost Notarization in Illinois
- Banks and credit unions — most major banks offer free notarization to account holders.
- Chicago Public Library and other Illinois public libraries — many offer free notary services.
- Illinois Secretary of State offices — some locations provide notary services.
- UPS Store and FedEx Office — charge a small fee (varies by location).
Illinois Notary Fee FAQ
An Illinois notary may charge a maximum of $5 per notarial act for non-electronic notarizations (5 ILCS 312/3-104, as amended by P.A. 102-160).
An Illinois electronic notary may charge up to $25 per electronic notarization. This recognizes that part of the fee will be paid to the platform or technology vendor the notary uses (5 ILCS 312/3-104; confirmed by ILAC §176.540).
Illinois Public Act 102-160 (effective July 2021) raised the maximum non-electronic notarial act fee from $1 to $5.
Illinois law caps the notarial act fee but does not regulate mobile travel surcharges. A mobile notary may separately charge for travel — typical market rates run $25–$75 for appointments within roughly 20 miles.
The Illinois General Assembly publishes the ILCS at ilga.gov. 5 ILCS 312/3-104 governs notary fees. The Illinois Secretary of State publishes the Illinois Notary Public Handbook at ilsos.gov.