Notary Service

Notary Services Policy – Broadview Public Library District

The Broadview Public Library District provides free notary services to residents of the Village of Broadview by appointment only. Patrons must present a valid, unexpired, government-issued photo identification with signature at the time of the notarial act. Per (5 ILCS 312/) Illinois Notary Public Act, identification documents are valid if they are issued by a state agency, federal government agency, or consulate, and bear both the photographic image of the individual’s face and the signature of the individual. Acceptable forms include a driver’s license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or U.S. military ID. Documents must be complete, written in English, and unsigned at the time of presentation; all signatures must occur in the presence of the notary. Library staff serving as notaries cannot provide legal advice, act as witnesses, or notarize certain
documents, including I-9 forms, real estate transactions (mortgages, deeds, property transfers), wills, trusts, powers of attorney, foreign documents, or copies of original documents.

Notaries follow the requirements of the Illinois Notary Public Act. Each notarization must be recorded in the notary’s journal, which will include identification information. Documents must be signed in black ink and dated for the day of notarization. If an oath is required, the patron must affirm or swear the oath as directed by the notary; declining an oath prevents notarization. Notaries may refuse service at their discretion, including when identification or document authenticity cannot be verified or when requirements of this policy are not met.

Purpose

To provide guidance for the provision of notary services to residents of the Village of Broadview in compliance with the Illinois Notary Public Act (5 ILCS 312/).

Scope

Notary services are available at no charge to all residents of the Village of Broadview.

Scheduling

Patrons must schedule a notary appointment in advance by contacting the library. Walk-in requests may be accommodated at the library’s discretion.

Identification Requirements

Patrons must present a valid, government-issued photo ID with signature. Acceptable forms include:

• Driver’s license or state ID card
• U.S. passport
• U.S. military ID

ID must:

• Be current and unexpired
• Display a clear likeness of the individual
• Include the individual’s valid signature

Document Requirements

• Documents must be in English and complete with no blank lines
• Do not sign documents before arriving at the library
• Library does not provide witnesses; witnesses may not be solicited among patrons
• Notarization cannot be provided for:
  • I-9 forms
  • Real estate transactions (mortgages, deeds, property transfers)
  • Wills, trusts, powers of attorney
  • Foreign documents or copies of originals

Notary Procedures

• All notarizations must comply with Illinois law, including:
  • Signature must occur in the presence of the notary
  • Notary must record each notarization in the notary journal, including supporting ID information
  • Documents must be signed in black ink
  • Notary must administer any required oath for jurats; refusal prevents notarization
  • Documents will be dated on the day of notarization; backdating or future dating is not allowed
• Library staff are not authorized to provide legal advice.
• Notaries may refuse service for any reason, including incomplete documentation,
  identification concerns, or noncompliance with this policy.

Access to Notary Journal

Requests to view the notary journal must comply with FOIA and other applicable legal
requirements.

To make an appointment, please email brs@broadviewlibrary.org or call the library at (708) 345-1325.

Effective January 2, 2026, we offer Notary Services during the following days and times and by appointment only:

• Tuesdays: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Thursdays: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Fridays: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Approved by the Board of Trustees September 2025