(a) A person shall not perform or attempt to perform a notarial act or hold himself or herself out as being able to do so in this State without first having been commissioned.

(b) A person shall not use in connection with the person's name any letters, words, or insignia indicating or implying that the person is a notary public unless commissioned in accordance with this chapter.

(c) A person shall not perform or attempt to perform a notarial act while his or her commission has been revoked or suspended.

(d) A person who violates a provision of this section shall be subject to a fine of not more than $5,000.00 or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. Prosecution may occur upon the complaint of the Attorney General or a State's Attorney and shall not act as a bar to civil or administrative proceedings involving the same conduct.

(e) A commission as a notary public shall not authorize an individual to assist a person in drafting legal records, give legal advice, or otherwise practice law.

(f) Except as otherwise allowed by law, a notary public shall not withhold access to or possession of an original record provided by a person who seeks performance of a notarial act by the notary public. (Added 2017, No. 160 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 2019.)