What happens if you fail to notify the Illinois Secretary of State of changes to your personal information within the required timeframe?

Failing to notify the Illinois Secretary of State of any changes to your personal information within the required timeframe leads to the cessation of your notary commission. This means that if you do not keep your personal information current—such as your address or name changes—the state considers your notary commission invalid. It is crucial for notaries to maintain up-to-date records with the Secretary of State to ensure the validity of their commission and to uphold the integrity of notarization practices.

In contrast, a notary commission does not just remain in effect indefinitely; ongoing compliance with state regulations is necessary. A warning or grace period is not typically granted for this type of failure, emphasizing the importance of proactive communication with the Secretary of State. Simply applying for a new commission would not resolve the lack of notification regarding changes to personal information, as the original commission would still have been rendered inactive due to non-compliance. Thus, notifying the Secretary of State promptly is essential for maintaining a valid notary commission.