4.1 Notary Fees
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
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?