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Illinois remote notary bonds.
$50 flat.

Illinois notaries who perform remote (electronic / audio-visual) notarizations must file a $30,000 bond with the Secretary of State — separate from, and larger than, the $5,000 bond for in-person-only notaries. Ours is $50 flat, issued instantly. License bonds like this issue instantly.

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Required for the remote / electronic notary commission — if you notarize by audio-visual communication

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Fixed price, fixed amount — $30,000 bond, $50, no quote process

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One 4-year term — set it up once for up to your commission term

A-ratedA.M. Best carriersInstantunderwriting process4-yr termset by the carrier

Trusted by industry leaders

How it works

Three steps. One sitting.

License bonds are the simplest thing in surety. Here's the entire process:

NOW · ONLINE

Apply online

Your name, county, and an effective date. That's the application — no financials, no credit section, no follow-up scavenger hunt.

MINUTES, USUALLY

Pay & e-sign

Notary bonds are among the thousands of bond types that issue right after purchase.

SAME DAY

File with your commission

Your executed bond arrives by email, ready to file with your Illinois Secretary of State notary application. Wet-ink original mailed on request.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the bond actually guarantees

A notary bond is a public-protection guarantee. You verify identities and witness signatures, and Illinois wants a financial backstop so that anyone harmed by a notary's improper or fraudulent act can recover.

It's a three-party arrangement: you (the principal), the surety carrier, and the people of Illinois (the protected parties), with the Secretary of State as obligee. If a notary notarizes for someone committing fraud, or fails to actually witness a signature, a harmed person can recover against the bond.

Remote notaries post the larger $30,000 bond because audio-visual notarization carries more risk than in-person work. In-person-only notaries post a $5,000 bond instead — if you don't perform remote notarizations, you don't need this one. The bond must stay active for your commission term; we track it and notify you 60 and 30 days out.

Illinois Notary Public Act (5 ILCS 312)Under the Illinois Notary Public Act (5 ILCS 312) and the Secretary of State notary rules, a notary who performs remote (audio-visual) notarizations must file a $30,000 surety bond with the Secretary of State; in-person-only notaries file a $5,000 bond. The Secretary of State does not accept a public official bond or an errors-and-omissions policy in place of the surety bond. Confirm the amount that applies to your commission on your application.

You need this bond if you're

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Applying for a remote notary commission — the $30,000 bond is filed with your application

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Adding remote authority to an existing in-person notary commission

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Renewing a remote notary commission whose bond is expiring or whose surety non-renewed

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An electronic-closing or title professional notarizing by audio-visual communication

One application, issued instantly.

These are the actual issuing fields — no credit section, because this bond doesn't have one.

Start the application →

FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the Illinois remote notary bond?The premium is $50, set by our carrier for this bond — the same for every notary. The $30,000 bond amount is set by the state for remote notaries, so there is no quote process.

Do I need the $30,000 bond or the $5,000 bond?The $30,000 bond is for notaries who perform remote (audio-visual) notarizations. If you only notarize in person, Illinois requires a $5,000 bond instead. If you answer that you will notarize remotely, you need this $30,000 bond.

Do I pay the $30,000?No. You pay $50. The $30,000 is the surety's maximum liability if a valid claim is made against the bond — not a deposit, and nobody holds your money.

Is there a credit check?The application collects no credit information for this bond. Most applications approve instantly.

When does it renew?The bond must stay active for your commission term. You can buy a 1-year or a single 4-year term; we send renewal notices 60 and 30 days out, with autopay available, so your commission never lapses over a missed email.

Which A-rated carriers underwrite these bonds?Typically Arch Insurance Company (A.M. Best A+) or Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (A.M. Best A). Which one writes your bond depends on the bond type and your state. The carrier's name and official signature are printed on the bond you receive.

How do I contact Light RFP about this bond?Email insurance@lightrfp.com. It reaches the bond team at Light RFP Risk Management Services LLC (NY DFS License # PC-1978982). Write to us about quotes, applications, bond forms or certificates. We will respond within 24 hours.

Same family

Other Illinois notary bonds.

Not sure this is the one your license calls for? These are the other notary bonds we write in Illinois. Each has its own statute and bond amount.

Related bonds

Other Illinois bonds.

Finish your notary commission today.

$50 flat, no credit review, bond often issued in the same sitting. Free until issued.

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Your price$50

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