Welcome to the Will County Clerk's Other Services Web Site.

The County Clerk's Office is responsible for filing public documents.  For more information about Assumed Business Name filing call (815) 740-4660 and for Notary Public Information (815) 740-4302.

Use these links to jump down the page of topics and frequently asked questions.
Assumed Business Name Filing
Notary Public Information

Assumed Business Name Filing

Any person or persons conducting business in Will County under an assumed name other than their real name or names of the owner(s) conducting or transacting the business are required to file an Assumed Business Name Certificate with the County Clerk in the county in which the business is located.  This requirement includes registration for sole proprietorships and general partnerships.

The certificate must be filed in each county where the owners have a business location.  

The filing fee for the initial application is $5.00.  Please make checks payable to the Will County Clerk.  All addresses where the person or persons conduct or transact business, or intend to conduct or transact business (not P. O. Box), must be listed on the application.

The full name or names of the person or persons owning, conducting or transacting the business must be shown, along with the full and complete residence address (not P. O. Box) of each person or persons.

All applications must be notarized and sent in with a $5.00 fee.

Once filed, the owners will receive a copy of the processed application and a notice that must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the business is, or will be, conducted.  A list of acceptable newspapers is given with the publication notice.

You must publish once a week for three consecutive weeks.  The first of the three notices must be published within 15 days from the date of filing the Assumed Business Name Certificate.

Proof of publication must be filed within 50 days of filing the certificate.  A photocopy of the notice is not sufficient; the applicant must provide a signed Certificate of Publication with a clipping of the ad attached.  Failure to provide the proof of publication within the 50 days renders the registration VOID.

The business will be sent a Certificate of Ownership of Business from the County Clerk once all filing requirements have been completed.

If any person changes his legal name, residence address, or the address of the business, or if another person or persons is (are) added or withdrawn, then a Supplemental Assumed Name Certificate must be filed with the County Clerk, under the same terms and conditions as the original filing.

If you have any questions, please call the Will County Clerk's office at 815/740-4625.

Information will be provided by the Will County Building and Zoning Department at (815) 727-8850 for businesses that are located out of your home that may require a Special Use Permit and Bonding for Contractors.

Businesses that are incorporated (limited partnership) or a corporation should file with the Illinois Secretary of State, Business Services Department, 328 Howlett Bldg., Springfield, IL  62756 (217/782-7880).

For a Business Registration Kit (tax i.d. number forms) call 1-800-356-6302.

Small Business Administration (Contact Joliet Junior College-Small Business Development) 815/727-6544, ext. 1400 or ext. 1419

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Notary Public Information

   A Notary is appointed by the Secretary of State for a four year term.  The Notary Public Handbook and applications to become a notary public may be obtained from the Will County Clerk's office or from the Illinois Secretary of State.  All applicants must obtain a $5,000 notary bond from a bonding or surety company.  The completed notary application, proof of surety bond, and a $10 filing fee are mailed to:

Once your official Notary Commission is processed by the Secretary of State's office, your certificate is then sent to the County Clerk's office in which you reside.  You will be notified when your certificate has been received.  The Illinois Notary Public law requires you to appear in person in the Clerk's office, record your commission and pay a fee of $5.00 to the County Clerk.  Or, if it is a hardship for you to come in to sign the Notary Register, you may request your commission be mailed to you.  The request must be accompanied by a specimen of your signature and a $10.00 fee payable to the County Clerk.  Your appointment as a notary is not complete until the commission is recorded with the County Clerk.  Commissions not processed within the required time frame are automatically returned to the Secretary of State for cancellation.

To request a notary public application and/or handbook from the Will County Clerk's office call (815) 740-4302.

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OFFICE OF THE WILL COUNTY CLERK | 302 North Chicago Street | Joliet, IL 60432
815-740-4615 | FAX 815-740-4699

Page Last Updated: 12/12/2007 Will County Clerk