If you are licensed in Illinois, your land surveyor stamp is an important part of conducting business. Keep reading to make sure you understand the most important guidelines for how your seal looks and how you should be using it.
Illinois land surveyor stamps must adhere to certain appearance guidelines in order to be considered valid. Each seal is made up of two
circles of different sizes, with the outer circle generally being 1 5/8” in diameter, even though there are no specific size requirements. In the space between the two circles, the stamp must include the licensee’s name along the top arc and the city and state in which you are licensed along the bottom. Inside the smaller inner circle, the stamp must list the license number on one line, followed by the words “Professional Land Surveyor State of Illinois” spread over the next four lines.Use of Illinois Land Surveyor Stamps
You are required to use your Illinois land surveyor stamp on each report, plat, drawing, or other official document that you create. Each time it is used, you must also include your signature, the date and the expiration of your license by the seal. When adding your signature to documents along with the Illinois land surveyor stamp, you can include an original signature, a computer-generated signature, or a copy of the document in question that includes your handwritten signature.
It is important to understand that each time you use an Illinois land surveyor stamp, it implies a few different things, including:
- That you are responsible for the creation of the documents or you personally oversaw the employee who created them
- You have verified that all of the information is correct and meets all local requirements
- You accept responsibility for all reports and information that is contained within the pages
- That you have a land surveyor license in Illinois that is in good standing
While you can affix your Illinois land surveyor stamp to documents that are prepared under your direct supervision, you must be considered “in responsible charge” of them. If you did not provide supervision during the writing of the documents, you can’t use your seal on them.
Special Considerations
Another important thing to remember when using an Illinois land surveyor stamp is that you are not responsible for any damages that result from changes to the information. This means that if you did not directly approve the changes to a document bearing the seal, including those made by local or state governmental agencies, you can’t be held liable for the results of those changes.
Using an Illinois land surveyor stamp is required, so you need to ensure that you have a clear understanding of all regulations to avoid penalization, which can include revocation of your license, due to improper use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information is required on an Illinois land surveyor stamp?##
An Illinois land surveyor stamp should include the licensee’s name on the top arc, the city and state of licensure on the bottom arc, the license number inside the inner circle, and the words “Professional Land Surveyor State of Illinois” arranged over four lines. While the state does not specify an exact overall size, the seal must follow the required layout to be valid.
When is an Illinois PLS stamp required on documents?##
You must use your Illinois land surveyor stamp on each report, plat, drawing, or other official document you prepare. The stamp helps show that the work has been reviewed and approved by the licensed professional, and it is a key part of complying with Illinois PLS stamp regulations.
Does my signature need to be included with the Illinois land surveyor seal?##
Yes. Each time you use your Illinois land surveyor stamp, it must also be accompanied by your signature, the date, and the expiration date of your license. Accepted signature formats may include an original signature, a computer-generated signature, or a copy of the document that contains your handwritten signature.
What does it mean to be “in responsible charge” of survey documents?##
Being “in responsible charge” means you personally supervised the work or had direct oversight of the documents before sealing them. If you did not supervise the preparation of the report, plat, or drawing, you should not affix your Illinois land surveyor stamp to it.
Can I stamp documents prepared by an employee or technician?##
Yes, but only if the documents were prepared under your direct supervision and you were in responsible charge. If you did not oversee the work and verify its accuracy, using your seal could create compliance and liability problems under Illinois land surveyor seal requirements.
Am I responsible if a sealed document is changed after I approve it?##
Not necessarily. If changes are made after you have sealed a document without your approval, including changes made by government agencies or others, you are generally not responsible for damages caused by those changes. However, if you approve or participate in the changes, that can affect your liability and responsibility.
