Illinois Notary Public Surety Bond

Why do I need a surety bond for my Illinois Notary Public commission?

All appointed notaries are required to file this bond with the Secretary of State, in accordance with the Illinois Notary Handbook Article II 2-105. A surety bond is a three-way agreement between a Principal (the Illinois Notary Public), an Obligee (Illinois Secretary of State), and a surety company (the company backing the bond). A surety bond does not function like an insurance policy for the Principal; instead, it protects the Obligee and the Illinois public against any damages caused by negligence or fraud on behalf of the Principal. The bond is a guarantee that the Principal understands and fully agrees to comply with all rules and regulations pertaining to their Notary Public appointment.

This $5,000 bond runs for 4 years (1 year for a non-resident), and costs $100 (non-residents must apply for a quote). Until it is filed with the Secretary of State, the Notary will not be allowed to perform their duties.

If the Notary Public violates the terms of their appointment, and therefore the terms of their bond, there will likely be a claim filed against the bond in order to cover the financial damages. The surety bond will pay the damages (up to the amount of the bond), at which point the Principal is obligated to fully repay the surety. In addition to repayment, the surety company may revoke the bond, which will thus make the Notary appointment invalid until a new bond can be filed.

A claim against your bond can be thought of as a mark against your “credit” in the bond market, and a history of claims will cause problems in any future bond application processes. It is important to understand the terms of your appointment and bond to avoid claims, potential damages, and the violation of trust bestowed on you in your Notary appointment. If you are unable to obtain a surety bond, you will be unable to receive a Notary appointment in the state of Illinois.

What does the bond cover?

This bond protects the public against any damages caused by the misconduct or negligence of an Illinois Notary Public. The bond is written for $5,000, and runs for a 4-year term for a resident Notary.

Who needs this bond?

All appointed Notaries Public are required to file this bond with the Secretary of State before performing any of their duties, in accordance with the Illinois Notary Handbook, Article II 2-105.

How much does this bond cost?

For Illinois resident Notaries Public, this bond costs $100 ($50 premium + $fee) for a 4-year bond.
Non-resident Notaries must apply for a quote, and are only eligible for a 1-year, $5,000 bond.

How do I apply?

To apply for your Illinois Notary Public Bond, complete and submit the application below. You may also download a .pdf application, and email it to apps@www.southcoastsurety.com, or fax it to (949)361-9926. If you choose to email or fax your application, please download and complete a payment form and attach it to your documents.
For resident applicants, your bond will be issued within 1-3 days after you submit a completed application and payment.
Non-resident applicants will receive a quote for their 1-year bond, and can proceed with their application from there. Bonds are handled on a first-come, first-serve basis, but we generally issue bonds within 1-3 days.

Notary Bond Application

Step 1 of 4

Notary Bond Information
Please fill out all the fields below. This bond is instantly approved and not credit check is required. Please fax a copy of your commission to: 949-261-9926 or email attachment to apps@southcoastsurety.com. Once you complete the application below and fax your commission, the bond will usually be processed within 48 hours. Payment must be received prior to issuance of the bond. All credit cards are manually processed after you have accepted the quote and at the time the bond is issued.
Notary State*
County (Where You Receive Commission)*
Bond Amount*
Bond Term*
Not to exceed notary term
Requested Effective Date*

The requested effective date must be the same as the commission start date that appears on your Certificate of Appointment.

Notary Information
Full Name*
Mailing Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
Phone Number*
Fax Number
Email*

Errors & Omissions Insurance
Do You Need Errors and Omissions Insurance?*
- Yes
- No
E&O Insurance Amount
This notary bond only protects the public, not the notary (you.) You should protect yourself with Errors and Omissions Insurance. If you would like additional E&O provided with your notary bond, please indicate how much and we can provide you a quote
Add Four Years of E&O Insurance Here
- $10,000 policy
- $15,000 policy
- $30,000 policy
Notary Public E & O Group Employer Policies Also Available - After finishing this application please contact us by email apps@southcoastsurety.com or call 800-361-1720

Credit Card Information
We recommend that you enter your credit card information now because it helps us to get your bond mailed to you quickly. We will not bill you until the bond is in the mail to you. You may leave it blank and we will e-mail you within two working days with a premium quote and information on how to pay by check. **A 6% service fee is charged on all on line transactions.
We accept MasterCard or Visa
- MasterCard
- Visa
Credit Card Number
Security Code
Name appearing on credit card
First Last
Expiration Date
Credit card billing address same as mailing address?
- Yes
- No
Credit Card Billing Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Click Submit Button Below
We will reply to you within 48 hours with a bond quote. We will not charge your credit card until you approve the quote. Please fax a copy of your commission to: 949-261-9926 or email attachment to apps@southcoastsurety.com.