Maximum Notary Fees by State & Notarial Act

Notary fees are not one-size-fits-all — every state sets its own rules about how much a notary can legally charge, and those limits often vary by the type of notarial act performed. Whether you are a notary trying to set competitive rates or a member of the public wondering what you should expect to pay, understanding maximum notary fees by state and act type helps everyone operate fairly and legally.

How State-by-State Notary Fee Limits Work

In the United States, notary publics are commissioned by state government, and each state has the authority to set maximum fees for notarial services. These caps are established to protect consumers from price gouging while still allowing notaries to be compensated for their time and expertise.

Some states set a single maximum per act. Others vary the cap based on the type of notarial act — for instance, a jurat may have a different cap than an acknowledgment. A few states set no cap at all, leaving fees to market forces. Understanding which category your state falls into is essential for setting your notary fees correctly.

Most fee statutes are set by the state legislature or administrative code. Requirements vary widely — always verify your state’s current fee schedule through your commissioning authority, as amounts can change when laws are updated.

Common Types of Notarial Acts and How Fees Apply

To understand fee caps, you first need to understand the types of notarial acts notaries perform. Most fee schedules break down charges by act type rather than by document. You can learn more about when each act is appropriate in this guide to the different types of notarizations and when to use each one.

The most common notarial acts include:

• Acknowledgment — The signer personally appears and acknowledges their signature on a document
• Jurat — The signer appears, signs in the notary’s presence, and swears or affirms the truth of the document’s contents
• Oath or affirmation — A verbal oath administered without a written instrument
• Copy certification — The notary certifies that a copy is a true and accurate reproduction of an original
• Signature witnessing — The notary witnesses a signature but does not certify anything about the document’s content

The distinction between acknowledgments and jurats is especially important. If you need a deeper understanding of the difference, this guide on notary acknowledgments vs. jurats covers the key distinctions clearly.

Maximum Notary Fee Quick Reference Table

The table below provides general fee ranges commonly seen across states. These figures represent typical maximum per-act fees and are for informational purposes only. Fee limits change frequently. Always verify the current cap in your state directly with your state’s notary commissioning authority before charging or paying any fee.

What Fees Notaries Can Charge Beyond the Per-Act Amount

In many states, the statutory fee cap applies only to the notarial act itself. Notaries may be permitted to charge separately for other legitimate services related to the appointment. Common additional charges may include:

• Travel or mobile fees — When a notary travels to a signer’s location, many states allow a separate travel charge
• Waiting time — Some states or service agreements allow a fee if the signer is significantly delayed
• Document preparation — If a notary prepares a document (not just notarizes it), a separate charge may apply in some circumstances
• Printing or administrative costs — In some remote notarization scenarios, platform or technology fees may be separate

These additional fees are separate from the notarial act itself and are often subject to their own rules. Reviewing your state’s complete notary law is the best way to understand what you can and cannot charge. You can stay current on changes to these rules by following the latest legal updates in notary law.

Remote Online Notarization Fees: Different Rules May Apply

Remote online notarization (RON) has introduced a new layer of complexity to notary fee structures. In states that have authorized RON, many have also created separate fee caps or allowances for remote sessions. RON sessions often involve technology platforms, audio-visual equipment, and identity verification costs that do not exist in traditional in-person notarizations.

In some states, the standard per-act cap applies to RON as well. In others, notaries are permitted to charge a higher fee for remote sessions to account for platform costs. Some states set an entirely different fee schedule for RON acts compared to in-person notarizations.

If you are considering offering remote notarization services, understanding both the fee structure and the technical setup requirements is essential. See this overview of what you need to know about electronic notarization to understand how online notarizations differ from traditional ones.

How Maximum Fees Affect Notary Income and Business Strategy

Statutory fee caps define the ceiling — not the floor. In many states, notaries are free to charge less than the maximum, including offering free notarizations as a customer service or employee benefit. Banks, credit unions, and libraries often provide free notarizations as a community service.

For notaries running a professional practice, the maximum fee cap is one important factor in building a sustainable business. Many working notaries supplement their income by offering mobile services, acting as loan signing agents, or adding complementary services to their practice. For strategies on expanding beyond per-act fees, see this guide on how to maximize your income as a notary.

Loan signing agents, in particular, earn income at the signing appointment level rather than strictly per notarial act. Lenders and escrow companies set the appointment fee, which often significantly exceeds the statutory per-act cap because the agent is being compensated for their time, travel, expertise, and responsibility — not just the individual stamps. If this career path interests you, learn more about how to become a loan signing agent.

Key Factors That Affect What You Should Know About Fee Limits

Whether you are a notary setting up a fee schedule or a client wondering whether you were overcharged, several factors shape the fee picture:

• State of commission — The notary must follow the laws of the state where they are commissioned
• Act type — Different acts often carry different maximum fees within the same state
• Number of signatures — Some states cap fees per signature rather than per document or per session
• In-person vs. remote — RON sessions may fall under different rules than traditional notarizations
• Service context — Government employees serving in a notarial capacity are often prohibited from charging any fee at all

Properly recording every transaction in your notary journal, including the fee charged, protects both you and the signer. Good recordkeeping practices are covered in detail in this guide on how to keep a notary journal.

Notarial Act Fees at a Glance: Key Facts Summary

The following table summarizes important concepts related to maximum notary fee structures across the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum notary fee in most states?

Maximum notary fees vary widely by state and act type. Common caps range from $2 to $25 per notarial act, with many states falling in the $5 to $15 range. A small number of states have no statutory cap. Always verify the current limit with your state’s commissioning authority, as fee schedules can be updated by legislation.

Can a notary charge for travel in addition to the per-act fee?

In many states, yes. Mobile notaries are often permitted to charge a separate travel fee on top of the per-act notarial fee. The rules on what may be charged for travel vary by state — some allow any reasonable amount, while others set a separate cap. Check your state’s notary statute for guidance on travel fee rules.

What happens if a notary charges more than the maximum allowed fee?

Overcharging is a violation of notary law and can result in disciplinary action, including formal complaints, suspension of the notary’s commission, or revocation. Consumers who believe they were overcharged may file a complaint with the state’s notary-commissioning authority.

Do loan signing agents earn more than the standard per-act fee cap?

Yes, typically. Loan signing agents are compensated at the appointment level for the entire signing package, not per individual notarial act. The appointment fee is set by the lender, title company, or signing service and reflects the agent’s total time, expertise, and travel — not just the stamps on individual pages.

Are remote online notarization (RON) fees different from in-person notary fees?

In many states, yes. Some states have established separate or higher fee caps for remote online notarization sessions to account for the technology platforms and identity verification services involved. Other states apply the same fee cap to both in-person and remote acts. You should review your state’s specific RON statute for the applicable fee rules.

Conclusion

Maximum notary fees by state and notarial act type represent an important regulatory boundary that every notary and consumer should understand. The fee cap is set by state law, applies per notarial act or signature depending on the jurisdiction, and may differ for remote notarizations versus in-person services. Because these limits are established in statute and can change, verifying your state’s current schedule through your commissioning authority is always the right first step before setting or paying a notary fee.