Is it allowed for an Illinois notary to notarize an instrument they are a party to?

A notary public's primary responsibility is to maintain impartiality and objectivity in their duties. When a notary is a party to a document, it creates a conflict of interest that undermines the integrity of the notarization process. Being involved in the transaction raises questions about the notary's ability to serve as an unbiased witness, which is essential to the trust placed in notarized documents.

Illinois law explicitly prohibits notaries from notarizing any document in which they have a direct personal interest. This prohibition is in place to prevent any potential fraud or coercion and to ensure that all parties involved in the transaction can rely on the authenticity and truthfulness of the notarization.

While there may be instances in other jurisdictions where notaries can notarize documents after disclosing conflicts or with permission from involved parties, Illinois maintains a strict stance on this matter to uphold the ethical standards of notarization. Thus, the correct answer reflects the fundamental principle that a notary must remain neutral and should not engage in notarizing documents they have a personal stake in.