Notaries public are a familiar and often essential part of many personal and legal transactions. Whether you’re signing a deed, finalizing a loan, or creating a power of attorney, a notary’s stamp and signature add a layer of official verification. But were you ever in doubt and asked yourself, “How much does a notary public charge?”
After all, are there differences between the costs associated with each type of notarization? And just where to find notaries public?
Understanding the costs involved is crucial for budgeting and making informed decisions. In this article, our team will break down how notary fees are determined and answer the questions above – so keep reading to learn more about this important service.
Read as well: Understanding notary agencies and their role
How much does a notary public charge? Understanding state-regulated fees
The cost of a notary public’s service might seem arbitrary, but in fact it’s primarily dictated by state law. Each state sets its own fee schedule, establishing maximum amounts that a notary can charge for specific notarial acts. You may think of these as official price caps, ensuring that notary services remain accessible to the public.
For example, a state might set a maximum fee of $5 for notarizing a signature on a document through an acknowledgment. For administering an oath or affirmation, the maximum might be $10. Similarly, states often have capped fees for certifying copies of documents or performing other specific notarial acts.
It’s important to note that, while these are maximums, a notary is perfectly within their rights to charge less than the state-allowed fee. However, they absolutely cannot charge more.
When you pay a notary fee, you’re paying for the notarial act itself – the verification of your identity, the witnessing of your signature, and the formal completion of the notarial certificate with their seal and signature.
This fee covers their time, the responsibility they undertake, their administrative costs (like maintaining a notary journal), and any necessary supplies.
It’s important to remember that the notary fee is not for preparing the document you are signing – that’s a separate matter handled by the document’s creator or your legal counsel.
How much does a notary public charge? A general chart of notary fees by state
| State | Max Fee (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $10 | |
| Alaska | — | No set fee |
| Arizona | $10 | Per signature |
| Arkansas | — | No set fee |
| California | $15 | |
| Colorado | $15 | |
| Connecticut | $5 | |
| Delaware | $5 | |
| Florida | $10 | |
| Georgia | $2 | |
| Hawaii | $5 | |
| Idaho | $5 | |
| Illinois | $5 | |
| Indiana | $10 | |
| Iowa | — | No set fee |
| Kansas | — | No set fee |
| Kentucky | — | No set fee |
| Louisiana | — | No set fee |
| Maine | — | No set fee |
| Maryland | $8 | |
| Massachusetts | — | No set fee |
| Michigan | $10 | |
| Minnesota | $5 | |
| Mississippi | $5 | |
| Missouri | $5 | |
| Montana | $10 | |
| Nebraska | $5 | |
| Nevada | $15 | First signature up to $15 |
| New Hampshire | $10 | |
| New Jersey | $25 | The highest max applies to certain real estate transactions |
| New Mexico | $5 | |
| New York | $2 | |
| North Carolina | $10 | |
| North Dakota | $5 | |
| Ohio | $5 | |
| Oklahoma | $5 | |
| Oregon | $10 | |
| Pennsylvania | $5 | |
| Rhode Island | $25 | |
| South Carolina | $5 | |
| South Dakota | — | No set fee |
| Tennessee | — | No set fee |
| Texas | $10 | First signature up to $10 (additional signature $1) |
| Utah | $10 | |
| Vermont | — | No set fee |
| Virginia | $10 | |
| Washington | $15 | |
| West Virginia | $10 | |
| Wisconsin | $5 | |
| Wyoming | $10 |
Understanding these state-regulated fees is the first step. If you need a notary, your next logical question might be about how to find one and what additional factors might influence the total cost beyond the base notarial act fee, so let’s talk about it.
Factors influencing notary fees
While state laws set the maximum fees for specific notarial acts, the total cost you pay can be influenced by several other factors. These are especially relevant when you consider the convenience and flexibility that different notary services offer.
Probably the most significant factor by itself is related to travel fees, which is the usual case when you hire the services of a mobile notary. They are professionals who travel to your location – whether it’s your home, office, a hospital, or another convenient spot, thus “mobile.”
They charge for their travel time and mileage, which is a separate fee from the actual notarial act fee. These travel fees can vary widely depending on the distance the notary must travel and the time of day, with after-hours or emergency requests potentially incurring higher travel charges.
While this adds to the overall expense, many people find the convenience and time savings well worth the extra cost, especially when their schedule is packed or they have mobility challenges.
The type of notarial act can sometimes influence pricing, although most states set a maximum fee per act. Complex acts or those requiring more detailed examination might subtly affect the notary’s willingness to discount, though they cannot exceed the state’s cap.
If a document requires multiple signatures or multiple notarial acts, you will typically be charged the state-regulated fee for each individual act or signature, which can increase the total cost.
Additionally, the notary’s business model could impact the prices. Independent notaries might have different pricing structures than those working for larger businesses, such as shipping stores or legal firms. Businesses often factor in overhead costs like rent and utilities, which can sometimes lead to higher flat fees.
Similarly, some notaries might offer after-hours or emergency services for an additional fee, again, always within the bounds permitted by state law.
In any case, it’s always best practice to inquire about all potential fees upfront, especially travel and emergency surcharges, before you commit to a service.
Where to find notary services
With a primer on notary fees out of the way, let’s talk about finding said services. Fortunately, notarization is available through various channels, each with its own pricing structure and convenience factors.
Many banks and credit unions offer notary services. For their account holders, these services are sometimes provided free of charge. However, for non-customers, a fee is usually applied. It’s a good practice to call your specific bank branch ahead of time to confirm if they have a notary available and to inquire about their fees, especially if you’re not an account holder.
Shipping and business centers, such as UPS Stores or FedEx Office locations, are increasingly popular places to find notary services. These businesses often have commissioned notaries on staff, making it a convenient option. They typically charge a flat fee for each notarization, which can vary by location.
AAA offices also provide notary services, often as a benefit to their members, sometimes at a discounted rate or even for free. If you are an AAA member, it’s worth exploring this option.
Some libraries and courthouses may offer free or low-cost notary services to the public. However, availability at these locations can be limited, and wait times might be longer due to higher demand and potentially fewer notaries on staff.
Independent notaries and mobile notaries like ourselves set their own prices, but they must always operate within the state’s maximum fee limits for notarial acts as well. Independent notaries might work from an office or from home, while mobile notaries, as mentioned, travel to you!
The convenience of a mobile notary often comes with a travel fee, but it’s the perfect choice for those on busy schedules. Read to the end to see how we can help you out.
Finally, online notarization services are also an option in states that permit it. These platforms have their own fee structures, which can vary widely and tend to be much higher than their traditional, in-person counterpart. In several states, Remote Online Notarization (also known as RON) fees can range from $25 to even $50 per act.
Regardless of where you seek notary services, the best practice is always to inquire about all applicable fees upfront before the notarization is performed. This transparency ensures you are aware of the total cost and avoid any surprises!
How Mobile Notary Orlando can handle your documents with efficiency
So – how much does a notary public charge, then? Well, it depends.
Understanding the matter involves looking at state-regulated maximum fees for specific acts, but also considering factors like travel, urgency, and the notary’s business model. The fees are generally modest, but always ask about the total cost before services are rendered!
For convenient, professional, and reliable notary services, especially for those complex documents or on-the-go needs that are so common today, we at Mobile Notary Orlando are here to assist.
The convenience of having a notary come directly to you is a significant advantage in our fast-paced lives, saving you time and effort. This mobile approach is beneficial for busy professionals, individuals with mobility challenges, or anyone needing services outside of traditional business hours.
For a deeper dive into the legitimacy and advantages of this modern approach, you can learn more here.
We at Mobile Notary Orlando offer clear pricing and mobile convenience throughout Orange, Seminole, Brevard, and Osceola counties, ensuring your notarization needs are met efficiently and accurately. Contact us today to experience extremely easy, quick, and convenient notarization!
