Notary Service

We offer free limited notary public service in accordance with the Illinois Notary Public Act and Library 3-15.5 Notary Services Policy. Please come in no later than an hour before we close as we end notary service then. For all other times call ahead to make sure a notary will be available at 847-907-3600, x167.  

An official Notary Public will verify your identity and your signature on legal documents, NOT the content of your document, with proper photo identification.

  • Bring current, unexpired photo identification (in English) with a signature issued by a U.S. state or federal government such as a driver's license, state ID card, U.S. military ID, or U.S. passport. International passports are only accepted if they are in English.
  • DO NOT sign the document beforehand. Documents must be signed in the Notary's presence.
  • When witnesses are required in addition to a Notary, provide your own witnesses with current photo identification with a signature. The library will not supply witnesses for you, nor can you solicit witnesses in the Library.
  • Documents must be in English.

 

EXCEPTIONS

We CANNOT notarize:

  • Documents that are already signed
  • Copy certifications
  • Any real estate documents or transactions, including property transfers, loans, deeds, and mortgages
  • Wills, living wills, or living trusts
  • Codicils or depositions
  • Government Form I-9 or Employment Eligibility Verification.
  • Foreign and domestic vital records and any documents issued by a US county (e.g. birth certificates, marriage certificates, and death certificates)


We CANNOT provide:

  • Apostilles
  • Legal advice or counsel


Notary Publics must maintain a notary journal of notarial acts they perform for accountability and recordkeeping, that is required to use the service.  

Notary Publics will not provide service if the requestor, document, or circumstance of the request raises an issue of authenticity, ambiguity, doubt, or uncertainty for the Library. In this event, the Notary Public, at their sole discretion, may decline to provide notary public service.

WE ARE NOT ATTORNEYS LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN ILLINOIS. WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DRAFT LEGAL DOCUMENTS OR RECORDS, NOR MAY WE GIVE LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY MATTER, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, MATTERS OF IMMIGRATION, OR ACCEPT OR CHARGE FEES FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THOSE ACTIVITIES.