Notary Public
Plainfield Area Public Library offers notary services for the benefit of all patrons, in accordance with Illinois law. This free service is provided for most documents, with some exceptions listed below:
- Government I-9 forms/Employment Eligibility Verifications.
- Refinancing or other types of real estate loans, purchases, sales, beneficial interests in land trusts and deeds.
- Apostilles/Certificate of Authority – this is a form that certifies that a document that is issued in one country to be used and considered valid in another country. These can be obtained through the Secretary of State’s office.
- Certify copies of documents or signatures. All documents must be original. Notaries also cannot attest to true/certified copies of military documents.
While, in general, library notaries are available during regular business hours, we strongly recommend calling before coming in to make sure a notary is available.
The notary, at their discretion, will not provide service if the document or circumstances of the request raise any issues of authenticity, ambiguity, doubt, or uncertainty. Please note that:
- The Library does not provide witnesses, and witnesses may not be solicited from staff or patrons using the Library. Patrons must provide witnesses if the document to be notarized requires them. Witnesses must also bring photo identification.
- Notaries will not prepare legal documents, nor can they give legal advice.
- Documents must be in a language that both the patron and notary understand; a translator may not be used in accordance with state law.
- Notary services are not guaranteed.
- Notary Services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis and are a courtesy provided by the Library. The notary may ask the person(s) to wait while the Notary tends to other library matters.
For more information, please check out our FAQs below or contact us by phone at 815.327.2515 or by email at info@papl.info.
Documents must be complete (no blank spaces). Do not sign and date until in the presence of the notary. All people signing must be present, including witnesses.
The Library does not provide witnesses and witnesses may not be solicited from staff or patrons using the Library.
Patrons must bring a valid, unexpired government-issued ID that contains a photograph and signature. Examples of acceptable IDs include (but are not limited to) a driver’s license, state ID, passport, firearms identification card, etc.
Though notary services are available during regular business hours, it is best to contact the Library prior to arrival to make sure a library notary is currently available. Contact the Adult Services desk by phone at 815.327.2515 or by email at info@papl.info.
The following are examples of items that cannot be notarized at the Library. For questions about particular document types, please contact the Adult Services desk by phone at 815.327.2515 or by email at info@papl.info.
- Government I-9 forms/Employment Eligibility Verifications.
- Refinancing or other types of real estate loans, purchases, sales, beneficial interests in land trusts and deeds.
- Apostilles/Certificate of Authority – this is a form that certifies that a document that is issued in one country to be used and considered valid in another country. These can be obtained through the Secretary of State's office.
- Certify copies of documents or signatures. All documents must be original. Notaries also cannot attest to true/certified copies of military documents.
No. Notary services are offered for free by the Library.
Notaries are generally available during regular business hours at the Adult Services desk or Check Out desk. However, we strongly recommend calling before coming in to make sure a notary is available.
Notary Services are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis and are a courtesy provided by the Library. The notary may ask the person(s) to wait while the notary tends to other library matters.
The Library does not provide witnesses and witnesses may not be solicited from staff or patrons using the Library. Patrons must provide witnesses if the document to be notarized requires them. Witnesses must also bring photo identification.
An apostille or certificate of authority is a form that certifies that a document that is issued in one country to be used and considered valid in another country. These can be obtained through the Secretary of State's office.
Patrons must bring a valid, unexpired government-issued ID that contains a photograph and signature. Examples of acceptable IDs include (but are not limited to) a driver’s license, state ID, passport, firearms identification card, etc.
Documents must also be complete (no blank spaces) and must be signed and dated in the presence of the notary - DO NOT SIGN DOCUMENTS AHEAD OF TIME. All people signing must be present.
The notarial language section of a document must be in English to be notarized.
If a document is in a foreign language (including the notarial language section), notaries at the Library will not be able to notarize it.
llinois law requires that a notary and the patron seeking notarization be able to communicate directly with each other and that both parties understand the language the document is in. The notary is not permitted to make use of a translator to communicate with the requestor.
Patrons requiring multiple documents notarized should schedule an appointment. Please call 815.327.2515 or email us at info@papl.info.
Contact the Adult Services desk by phone at 815.327.2515 or by email at info@papl.info.
For more information on our notary services, please see Section Three of the Library Services Policy.