SummarySenate Bill 3513 exempts licensed attorneys, judges, or employees of licensed attorneys or the court, from taking the mandatory education courses for a Notary Public and Electronic Notary Public commission.
AnalysisThe National Notary Association dislikes bills such as Senate Bill 3513 because we believe that any person commissioned to perform notarial acts should be trained and examined on the requirements and duties for performing notarial acts. Over the years, the NNA has read numerous court disciplinary cases for disbarment involving attorneys who have violated state Notary statutes. Law schools almost never teach Notary Public law to aspiring attorneys, and thus, attorneys typically never receive any training on Notary Public practices.
An attorney and judge is exempted by Senate Bill 3513 if they submit a signed statement that they are in fact a licensed attorney or judge and have read and understood the most current Illinois Notary Public Act in effect at the time they apply for a commission.
Exempting attorneys and judges conceivably makes sense on the grounds that all attorneys are under supervision by Illinois courts. But Senate Bill 3513 also exempts employees of attorneys and judges as well, provided they also submit the signed statement and have read the current Illinois Notary Public in effect at the time of application. With this, the NNA cannot agree.
Read Senate Bill 3513.