{
 "slug": "chicago",
 "city": "Chicago",
 "state": "IL",
 "last_checked": "2026-10-24",
 "summary": "Illinois caps most in-person notary fees at $5. Chicago Public Library does not advertise a standing free notary service; some ward offices offer free notary for their residents, and some banks notarize free.",
 "state_rules": [
  "Illinois law caps the fee for a non-electronic notarial act at $5 (5 ILCS 312/3-104); electronic notarial acts up to $25. No fee may be charged to notarize the Secretary of State's Homeless Status Certification form."
 ],
 "options": [
  {
   "type": "Ward office (city)",
   "name": "45th Ward Office, 5460 N. Milwaukee Ave.",
   "cost": "Free",
   "who": "Residents (the ward page says 'available to residents'; it does not define whether that means 45th Ward residents only; ask).",
   "appt": "Call 773-853-0799 before stopping by to make sure a notary is available. Office hours Mon-Fri (Thu from 9:30 a.m.) to 4:30 p.m.",
   "id": "Valid photo ID and the document(s).",
   "src": "w45"
  },
  {
   "type": "Public library",
   "name": "Chicago Public Library",
   "cost": "Unconfirmed",
   "who": "Unconfirmed",
   "appt": "We found no current standing notary service on CPL's site (only a past one-day event). Ask a librarian: (312) 747-4300.",
   "id": "N/A",
   "src": "cpl"
  },
  {
   "type": "County clerk",
   "name": "Cook County Clerk",
   "cost": "N/A",
   "who": "N/A",
   "appt": "The Clerk's business and notary services page covers notary commissions and authentication, not notarizing the public's documents.",
   "id": "N/A",
   "src": "cook"
  },
  {
   "type": "Bank policy",
   "name": "Bank of America financial centers",
   "cost": "No fee (per Bank of America)",
   "who": "Bank of America's notary page does not say whether non-customers are served. Call the financial center to ask.",
   "appt": "Schedule a financial center appointment; Bank of America says a typical appointment takes about 30 minutes; not every location offers it ('many of our financial centers').",
   "id": "State-acceptable ID for every signer (e.g., state driver's license or ID card, U.S. passport, U.S. military ID). Bring all pages; don't sign beforehand; bring your own independent witness if one is required.",
   "src": "boa"
  },
  {
   "type": "Bank policy",
   "name": "Banks in general (e.g., Chase)",
   "cost": "Varies",
   "who": "Chase's own guidance says banks may notarize free for account holders, some charge non-customers a fee, and some limit service to customers; availability differs by location. Chase does not publish a specific non-customer policy on that page.",
   "appt": "Call the branch first to confirm a notary is on duty.",
   "id": "Government-issued ID; accepted IDs vary by state.",
   "src": "chase"
  }
 ],
 "sources": {
  "w45": {
   "title": "Notary Services Available | 45th Ward Office",
   "url": "https://www.aldermangardiner.com/notary-services-available"
  },
  "cpl": {
   "title": "Services FAQs | Chicago Public Library",
   "url": "https://www.chipublib.org/faq/services/"
  },
  "cook": {
   "title": "Business and Notary Services | Cook County Clerk",
   "url": "https://www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/vital-records/business-notary"
  },
  "il": {
   "title": "5 ILCS 312/3-104 Maximum fee | Illinois General Assembly",
   "url": "https://ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/000503120K3-104.htm"
  },
  "boa": {
   "title": "Notary Services | Bank of America",
   "url": "https://www.bankofamerica.com/signature-services/notary/"
  },
  "chase": {
   "title": "What Are Notary Services? | Chase",
   "url": "https://www.chase.com/personal/banking/education/basics/what-are-notary-services"
  }
 },
 "url": "https://notarywhere.com/cities/chicago/",
 "site": "Notary Where",
 "disclaimer": "Summarized from the official sources listed; rules change, confirm with the source before acting."
}