What is required of an applicant to become a notary in Illinois?

To become a notary in Illinois, one of the primary requirements is that the applicant must never have been convicted of a felony. This stipulation is in place to ensure that individuals who serve as notaries public are trustworthy and have a clean legal background. Notaries are responsible for verifying the identities of individuals, administering oaths, and witnessing signatures, which necessitates a high level of integrity and reliability.

In this context, having a felony conviction would indicate a failure to uphold the law or ethical standards, which could compromise the notary's ability to perform their duties properly. Thus, this requirement helps maintain the credibility and professionalism of notaries in the state.

Other options do not meet the legal and ethical standards set forth by the Illinois Secretary of State for the role of a notary public. For instance, notaries must be at least 18 years old, be residents of the state, and typically need to possess at least a high school diploma. These additional requirements further ensure that notaries can carry out their responsibilities effectively and responsibly.