Notary Fee Schedules

Every state establishes maximum fees that notaries can charge for their services. Understanding fee rules is essential for compliance — charging more than the allowed maximum is a violation that can result in commission revocation and penalties.

How Notary Fees Work

Per Act, Not Per Document

Notary fees are charged per notarial act, not per document. A single document may require multiple notarial acts (e.g., two signers each needing an acknowledgment = two fees). Conversely, a single notarial act on a multi-page document is still one fee.

Example:

• A husband and wife each acknowledge a deed → 2 acknowledgment fees
• A 50-page contract with one signer → 1 acknowledgment fee
• Three affidavits signed by the same person → 3 jurat fees

Maximum, Not Fixed

State-set fees are maximums — notaries may charge any amount up to the maximum, including nothing at all. Many bank and corporate notaries provide notarizations at no charge as a service to customers.

State Fee Examples (2026)

Fees vary dramatically by state. Here are representative examples:

Important: Always verify your state's current fee schedule, as rates are periodically updated by state legislatures.

Travel Fees

When a notary travels to a signer's location (mobile notary service), additional charges may apply:

Key Point: Travel fees are SEPARATE from the per-act notary fee. The notary must still comply with the state's maximum fee for the notarial act itself, regardless of how much they charge for travel.

Fee Posting and Disclosure

Many states require notaries to:

• Post their fee schedule visibly at their place of business
• Disclose fees in advance before performing the notarization
• Provide a receipt upon request
• Not charge fees if prohibited (some states prohibit charging for certain services like administering oaths to public officials)

Waiving Fees

Notaries may choose to waive fees entirely. This is common when:

• The notary works for a bank, law firm, or company that offers free notarizations
• The signer is a personal friend or community member
• The notary is performing a charitable service

Important: A notary may NOT accept a fee for services they are not authorized to perform. Accepting payment for unauthorized services (like drafting documents or giving legal advice) compounds the UPL violation.

On the Exam

Fee questions test your understanding of:

• Per act, not per document — each notarial act is one fee
• Maximum, not minimum — can charge less, never more
• Travel fees are separate from per-act fees
• Overcharging violates state law — can result in penalties
• Know your state's fee schedule