Understanding the cost of notary services can be confusing, as fees are often regulated at the state level. Pricing transparency is crucial for consumers, ensuring you know what to expect when you need a document notarized. This guide provides an overview of how notary fee regulations work across different states, empowering you to budget accurately for this essential service.

The Role of State Fee Schedules

In the United States, nearly all states have statutory maximum fees that a notary public is permitted to charge for basic notarial acts. These laws are designed to protect the public from price gouging and ensure fair access to notary services.

Key things to know about state-regulated fees:

• Maximum, Not Minimum: The fee schedules set the maximum amount a notary can charge per notarial act. A notary is always free to charge less than the maximum or even offer services for free.
• Per Notarial Act: Fees are typically charged per notarial act (e.g., one acknowledgment, one jurat), not per signature or per document. A single document might require multiple acts, resulting in higher overall fees.
• Common Acts: The most frequently regulated acts include:
  • Acknowledgments
  • Jurats (oaths or affirmations)
  • Witnessing or Attesting a Signature
  • Certifying or Attesting a Copy (where permitted by state law)

Variable Fees and Additional Charges

While the core notarial act fees are fixed, other charges can vary widely or be added to the total cost.

1. Travel Fees

If a notary public travels to meet you at your preferred location—whether it's your home, a hospital, or a local coffee shop—they are generally allowed to charge a separate travel fee.

Crucially, many states require the travel fee to be agreed upon in advance and stated separately from the official notarial fee. This ensures transparency about what you are paying for the service versus the convenience.

2. Loan Signing Fees

Notaries who specialize in loan closings (often referred to as Notary Signing Agents or NSAs) handle complex, large document packages. Their fees are often higher because they encompass more than just the notarial acts. A typical loan signing fee includes:

• The fee for all required notarial acts.
• The time spent printing hundreds of pages of documents.
• The travel to and from the signer's location.
• The time spent preparing and shipping the documents back.
  
  

Guide to Notary Fees in Select States

The table below provides a representative example of the maximum fee for a single notarial act (such as an acknowledgment or jurat) in a few states. Always check the current statute for your specific state, as fees are subject to change.

Loan Signing Fees vs. General Notary Fees

The significant difference in price between a standard notarial service (often $5–$25 per act) and a specialized loan signing (typically ranging from $100 to $300 or more) stems from the scope of work and the specialized expertise required.

Components that Justify the Higher Loan Signing Fee:

1. Administrative Overhead: The fee covers the time and cost associated with receiving, reviewing, and organizing the digital loan package.
2. Extensive Printing: Loan packages often exceed 100 pages, requiring a significant investment in paper, toner, and high-speed laser printers.
3. Extended Travel and Time: The fee includes travel to and from the signer's location, the time spent conducting the long signing appointment, and often a trip to the shipping carrier (FedEx/UPS) immediately afterward.
4. Specialized Knowledge: Notary Signing Agents (NSAs) must be proficient in guiding borrowers through complex documents like the Closing Disclosure, Promissory Note, and Deed of Trust, ensuring all pages are signed, dated, and notarized correctly to prevent funding delays.

Liability and Insurance: NSAs carry higher-limit Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance specifically for loan closings, reflecting the high financial risk associated with handling real estate transactions.