The Fountaindale Public Library District provides notary services in accordance with the Illinois Notary Public Act. This act is for reference through the Illinois General Assembly under Compiled Statutes. Library notaries will decline to provide notary services in situations that do not comply with the provisions of this act and Library Notary Policy as outlined below. The Board of Trustees may modify, amend or supplement this policy as it deems necessary and appropriate.
Patrons seeking notary services are encouraged to inquire before their visit regarding the availability of services, as a notary may not be present at all times. Notary services are provided free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.
Documents in a language other than English will only be notarized if a notary who understands the language is available.
Illinois law requires that a notary and the patron seeking notarization be able to communicate directly with each other. The library notary is not permitted to make use of a translator to communicate with the requestor.
To ensure adequate time for service, notary services will end fifteen minutes before closing.
The requestor must provide the notary with a current, valid identification issued by a state or federal agency that includes the requestor’s photo and signature, such as a current driver’s license, state ID, U.S. military ID, or U.S. passport. Illinois state law requires that photo IDs must be issued by a state or federal government agency and must bear the photographic image of the individual’s face and signature. Examples of acceptable IDs include a valid (unexpired) state driver’s license or ID card, a United States Military ID, valid (unexpired) passport, and a Tribal Identification Card.
Notary services are not available for the following documents:
Additionally, Illinois Notaries by law cannot:
Notaries will not provide service if the requestor, document, or circumstance of the request for notary services raises an issue of authenticity, ambiguity, doubt, or uncertainty for the library. In this event, the notary may, at his or her sole discretion, decline to provide notary public service.
The Library does not provide witnesses and witnesses may not be solicited from staff or patrons using the Library. In order to serve as a witness, the witness must personally know the person whose document is being notarized and must be in possession of valid photo identification.
Documents that do not contain notary language or a notary certificate cannot be notarized. At the patron’s discretion, staff may stamp a notary certificate for a “Jurat” or “Affirmation” on the document or on a separate page and staple it to the document. Staff cannot choose which form to be used by the patron.
In accordance with Illinois law, all notarial services will be entered in the acting notary’s Notary Public Record Book. Library notaries will not provide notary services for patrons who decline to sign the Record Book.
The Board of Trustees of the Fountaindale Public Library District will review the notary services policy periodically and reserves the right to amend it at any time.
