Florida Notary Fees: What You Can Legally Charge

Notaries in Florida play a vital role in ensuring the authenticity and trust in legal and business transactions. To protect the public and maintain fairness, the state establishes specific limits on the fees that notaries can charge for official acts. 

This guide explains the maximum legal fees, outlines optional service charges, and emphasizes transparent and ethical practices to help notaries remain compliant and professional.

Maximum Fees Allowed by Florida Law

Under Section 117.05(2)(a), Florida Statutes, a notary public may not charge more than $10 for any one notarial act performed under Part I of Chapter 117. This includes acknowledgments, oaths or affirmations, jurats, and attested copies.

There are two exceptions to this limit:

1. Solemnizing Marriages – Under Section 117.045, a Florida notary may charge the same fee as the clerk of the circuit court. According to Section 28.24, the current amount is $30.
   
2. Remote Online Notarization (RON) – Section 117.275 allows a notary performing an online notarization to charge up to $25 per online notarial act.

Additionally, Section 117.05(2)(b) prohibits charging any fee for witnessing or verifying a vote-by-mail ballot.

Reference: Florida Statutes Chapter 117

Maximum Legal Fees Summary

Notarial Service	Maximum Fee	Legal Authority
Acknowledgment	$10	Section 117.05(2)(a)
Oath or Affirmation	$10	Section 117.05(2)(a)
Jurat (Sworn Statement)	$10	Section 117.05(2)(a)
Attested Copy	$10	Section 117.05(2)(a)
Remote Online Notarization	$25	Section 117.275
Marriage Ceremony	$30 (same as clerk)	Section 117.045; Section 28.24
Witnessing Vote-by-Mail Ballot	No fee allowed	Section 117.05(2)(b)

Optional Fees and When to Charge Them

Florida’s statutory limits apply only to the notarial act itself. Notaries may charge additional non-notarial service fees, provided they are reasonable, clearly disclosed, and separately itemized.

• Travel or Mobile Service Fees: You may charge for travel when clients request services at their chosen location, such as a hospital or office. The rate should be agreed upon before travel.
  
• After-Hours or Urgent Service Fees: Optional convenience fees are acceptable when clients require service outside regular business hours, provided the charges are disclosed in advance.
  
• Printing, Scanning, or Courier Fees: If clients require printing or document delivery, you may charge reasonable fees that are clearly explained before the service is provided.
  
• Technology Fees for RON: When using an online platform that charges you, you may pass that cost to the client as a separate, non-notarial line item, in addition to the $25 notarial fee.
  

All additional fees must be clearly disclosed and listed separately from the state-regulated notarial fees.

Ethical and Transparent Fee Practices

Ethical behavior is essential for maintaining trust. Following best practices ensures compliance and professionalism:

• Itemize each notarial act at the correct legal rate.
  
• Disclose all optional fees before performing the service.
  
• Avoid combining optional charges with statutory notarial fees.
  
• Never overcharge for any act, as this can result in suspension or loss of commission.
  
• Decline to notarize if clients refuse to accept disclosed fees or if the act is prohibited by law.
  
• Maintain accurate records of all collected fees in your notary journal.

Transparent Pricing Templates

• In-Person Notarization
  “Acknowledgment fee: $10 per act (per Section 117.05). Travel fee: $30 (optional, non-notarial). Total estimated: $40.”
  
• Remote Online Notarization
  “Online notarial act: $25 per act (per Section 117.275). Platform access fee: $10 (optional, non-notarial). Total estimated: $35.”
  
• Marriage Ceremony
  “Marriage solemnization: $30 (same as clerk, per Section 117.045 and Section 28.24). Optional travel fee: $25. Total estimated: $55.”

Clear, itemized communication like this helps clients understand their costs and reinforces transparency.

Continuing Education for Compliance Excellence

Staying compliant requires ongoing awareness. Florida’s notary laws may change, and maintaining current knowledge protects both your commission and your reputation. Enroll in Notary Public Association’s professional training programs to stay updated on Florida fee regulations, improve ethical decision-making, and strengthen your service standards.