Key Takeaways
- Oregon notaries may charge up to $10 per notarial act for in-person notarizations
- Remote online notarizations (RON) may charge up to $25 per notarial act
- Travel fees are allowed but must be disclosed and agreed upon in advance
- Notaries who charge fees must display a fee schedule in English
- Notaries are not required to charge fees - services can be provided free
Notary Fees
Oregon Revised Statutes ORS 194.400 governs the fees notaries may charge. Understanding fee limits and requirements is essential for the exam.
Maximum Fee Limits
| Type of Notarization | Maximum Fee per Act |
|---|---|
| Traditional (in-person) | $10 |
| Remote Online Notarization (RON) | $25 |
Per Act Meaning: Each notarial act (acknowledgment, jurat, etc.) can be charged separately. A document requiring multiple notarizations can have fees for each act.
Travel Fees
Notaries may charge additional fees for traveling to perform a notarial act:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Disclosure | Must explain travel fee is additional |
| Agreement | Person must agree to amount in advance |
| No legal limit | Amount is not determined by law |
| Separate from notary fee | Cannot be disguised as notary fee |
Example: A mobile notary can charge $10 for the notarial act plus a $50 travel fee, as long as the client agrees to the travel fee in advance.
Fee Display Requirements
If a notary charges fees, they must:
- Display a list of fees in English
- Make fees visible to customers
- Apply fees consistently
No Requirement to Charge
| Scenario | Allowed? |
|---|---|
| Charge no fee | Yes |
| Charge less than maximum | Yes |
| Charge maximum | Yes |
| Charge more than maximum | No - violation |
| Waive fee for some customers | Yes |
Important: Notaries employed by banks, law offices, or businesses often do not charge for notarizing documents for their customers or clients.
Fee Calculation Examples
| Document | Notarial Acts | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Single acknowledgment | 1 | $10 |
| Document with 3 acknowledgments | 3 | $30 |
| Jurat + acknowledgment | 2 | $20 |
| One oath administered | 1 | $10 |
What Cannot Be Charged For
| Service | Chargeable? |
|---|---|
| Making copies | Not as notary fee |
| Filling out forms | Not as notary fee (and may be UPL) |
| Advice about documents | No - should not be given |
| Multiple signatures on one certificate | One fee per certificate |
On the Exam
- $10 maximum: Traditional notarial acts
- $25 maximum: Remote online notarizations
- Travel fees: Allowed with advance agreement
- Display required: If charging, must post fees in English
What is the maximum fee an Oregon notary can charge for a traditional in-person notarial act?
A mobile notary wants to charge a $50 travel fee in addition to the notarization fee. Is this allowed?