Which of the following can a notary public NOT do in Illinois?

A notary public in Illinois is prohibited from acknowledging an instrument in which they are a party to the transaction. This is grounded in the principle of impartiality that governs notarial acts. Notaries must remain neutral and cannot act in a capacity that has a personal interest in the outcome of the notarization. This ensures the integrity of the notary's role as an unbiased witness to the signing of documents or transactions.

When a notary is a party to the document being notarized, it creates a conflict of interest that undermines the trust and impartiality required in notarial services. Notaries are tasked with verifying the identity of the signers and ensuring that they are signing voluntarily and without coercion. If the notary has a stake in the document, their ability to provide an unbiased verification is compromised.

The other choices highlight actions that can lead to improper practices but are not strictly prohibited in the same manner. For example, signing under a different name than commissioned, while misleading and unethical, may not constitute a lawful barrier if done under specific circumstances. Redacting information on a notarial certificate typically falls outside the notary's responsibilities, as it can alter the official record, and using a personal seal may reference a seal that is not compliant with