When does an electronic notary commission become effective?

An electronic notary commission becomes effective when the application is approved by the Illinois Secretary of State. This is the crucial point at which the notary's authorization to perform notarial acts electronically is granted. Until the approval is awarded, the individual does not have the legal authority to act as a notary.

This process ensures that all necessary criteria, including background checks and compliance with state regulations, have been satisfied before allowing someone to notarize documents electronically. Other stages in the process, such as submitting an application or receiving a commission number, do not grant the authority to notarize until the official consent is given by the Secretary of State. This protects the integrity of the notarial process by ensuring that only qualified individuals can perform electronic notarizations.