What statute governs Illinois acknowledgment forms?

5 ILCS 312/6-105 sets the short form certificates under the Illinois Notary Public Act, which was overhauled effective 2023.

Does the signer sign in front of the Illinois notary?

Not for an acknowledgment. The instrument may be pre-signed, but the signer must appear before the notary and prove identity to acknowledge it.

How long is an Illinois notary commission?

Four years, commissioned by the Secretary of State. Notaries must also keep a journal of their acts under the 2023 Notary Public Act.

Do non-attorney Illinois notaries give a disclosure?

Yes, if they advertise services. They provide a signed written notice that they are not an attorney, in English and the advertising language, kept for two years.

Illinois Notary Acknowledgment: Free Fillable Form & 2026 Wording

This content is educational and informational, not legal advice. The wording reflects the Illinois Notary Public Act, 5 ILCS 312/6-105, but the law can change. Confirm the current form with the Illinois Secretary of State before relying on it.

Quick answer: An Illinois acknowledgment certifies that a named person appeared before the notary and acknowledged signing a document. The statutory short form in 5 ILCS 312/6-105 reads "This instrument was acknowledged before me on (date) by (name)." The venue names the state and county. Since the 2023 overhaul, Illinois requires a specific rectangular rubber stamp in black ink. Fill the certificate below and copy or print it.

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Fillable Illinois acknowledgment certificate

Enter the details and the certificate updates live with the statutory Illinois wording. Copy or print it, then attach it to your document. The notary completes and signs the final certificate after verifying identity; this tool simply prepares the correct form.

What is the exact Illinois acknowledgment wording?

Illinois's individual acknowledgment short form under 5 ILCS 312/6-105 uses "instrument," and the venue names the state and county where the act takes place.

State of Illinois
County of ______

This instrument was acknowledged before me on ______ (date) by ______ (name/s of person/s).

___________________________________
(Signature of Notary Public)

(Seal)

What must an Illinois acknowledgment include?

An Illinois acknowledgment must include the state and county venue, the date, the signer's name, and the notary's signature and rubber stamp seal, applied at the time of the act in black ink. The notary determines identity from personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence, and cannot sign a blank certificate or acknowledge an instrument in which they are a party. Illegibility of required information does not by itself void the transaction, but a smudged seal is a leading reason recorders reject a filing.

Element	What goes there
Venue	State of Illinois and the county
Date	The date the instrument was acknowledged
Signer	Name or names of the persons acknowledging
Notary	Signature and rubber stamp seal in black ink

What are the Illinois notary stamp rules?

Illinois requires a rubber ink stamp, not an embosser, with a rectangular border and a serrated or milled edge, no more than one inch tall by two and a half inches wide. The stamp shows the notary's name, the words "Notary Public, State of Illinois," and the commission expiration date, in black ink that photocopies. This exact shape and size requirement came in with the 2023 overhaul of the Notary Public Act, so a round seal or an embosser no longer complies. Ordering the wrong stamp is a common and avoidable error.

Who commissions notaries in Illinois?

The Secretary of State commissions Illinois notaries for a four-year term, and since the 2023 overhaul notaries must keep a journal of their acts. A notary who is not an attorney and advertises notarial services must give each client a signed written disclosure, in English and the advertising language, stating "I am not an attorney licensed to practice law in Illinois" and cannot give legal advice or charge for it. The notary keeps copies of these signed disclosures during the commission and for two years after.

When do you use an acknowledgment instead of a jurat in Illinois?

You use an acknowledgment when the signer confirms they signed the instrument willingly, and a jurat when they swear or affirm the statement is true. For an acknowledgment, the instrument may be pre-signed; the signer appears, is identified, and acknowledges the signature. A jurat uses "signed and sworn" and requires an oath before the notary. Using the individual form when a representative form is needed, or vice versa, is one of the most common reasons recording offices return documents.

Illinois acknowledgment: frequently asked questions

What statute governs Illinois acknowledgment forms?: 5 ILCS 312/6-105 sets the short form certificates under the Illinois Notary Public Act, which was overhauled effective 2023.
What shape is an Illinois notary stamp?: Rectangular with a serrated or milled edge, no more than one inch tall by two and a half inches wide, a rubber ink stamp in black ink, not an embosser.
Does the signer sign in front of the Illinois notary?: Not for an acknowledgment. The instrument may be pre-signed, but the signer must appear before the notary and prove identity to acknowledge it.
How long is an Illinois notary commission?: Four years, commissioned by the Secretary of State. Notaries must also keep a journal of their acts under the 2023 Notary Public Act.
Do non-attorney Illinois notaries give a disclosure?: Yes, if they advertise services. They provide a signed written notice that they are not an attorney, in English and the advertising language, kept for two years.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Illinois Notary Public Act, 5 ILCS 312/6-105, 3-101 and 3-103; the Illinois Secretary of State Notary Public Handbook. Confirm current wording before relying on it.