When should you start using your new stamp after renewing your commission?

The correct answer is that you should start using your new stamp after your current commission expires. In Illinois, a notary public's commission has a specified term, and renewal stamps should be used only when the previous commission has officially ended. This practice ensures that all notarizations performed are linked to the valid and active commission. Using a new stamp while still being under a previous commission can lead to confusion over the validity of notarized documents, as well as potential legal complications.

It's important for notaries to maintain compliance with state regulations, which stipulate that the stamp represents that the notary was in the legal position to perform the notarization at the time of the act. Therefore, using the new stamp before the existing commission expires is not permissible since the current commission is still valid.