While notary fees generally don’t make people jump out of bed in the morning, they are vital to the certification and authentication of crucial documents, such as loan papers and wills. Notaries are impartial witnesses when you sign important documents, ensuring their legal validity and preventing fraud. While notary fees are typically necessary, there are ways to minimize their impact. Notary fees are set at the state level, meaning a notary could charge any fee (or none) up to the maximum allowed in that state fee schedule. You may want to check with your financial advisor about what you’ll pay before starting the estate planning process.
A notary, also known as a notary public, is a person authorized by the state government to certify and authenticate documents and signatures. The primary role of a notary is to act as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents, such as contracts, affidavits, deeds, wills and powers of attorney.
Notaries verify the identity of the signatories and ensure that all parties are willingly and knowingly entering into an agreement. They also ensure that the document is legally valid and enforceable. As a result, notaries reduce fraud and facilitate honest deals.
Notaries are also responsible for administering oaths and affirmations, which may be required when someone makes a sworn statement or an affidavit. In addition, they can attest that a copy of a document is a true and accurate reproduction of the original.
Once a notary has witnessed the signing of a document, they typically affix their official seal or stamp and provide their signature, indicating that they have performed their duties as a notary. This seal and signature serve as evidence of the proper execution of the document and authentication of the identities of the involved parties. Therefore, notaries play a crucial role in maintaining the public’s confidence in the authenticity and reliability of critical legal transactions.
Notary public fees are typically applicable in the following situations:
Remember, notary fees can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific regulations in place. The state or country typically sets the fee structure, which is subject to change. Therefore, it’s recommended to check the local regulations or consult with a notary public to determine the applicable fees in your area.
Each state sets fee limits for notaries, who can charge up to the maximum. They can also perform their services for free. The following chart breaks down different notary service charges by state:
| State | Acknowledgments | Jurats | Verbal Oath/Affirmation | Travel Fees (set by) | RON |
| Alabama | $5 | $5 | $5 | – | N/A |
| Alaska | No fee schedule for all | ||||
| Am. Samoa | $10 per signature | $10 per signature | $20 per signature | – | N/A |
| Arizona | $10 | $10 | $10 | Dept. of Admin | $10 |
| Arkansas | No fee schedule. Signer must agree to fees in advance | N/A | |||
| California | $15 | $15 | $15 | Not set | N/A |
| Colorado | $15 | $15 | $15 | – | $25 |
| Connecticut | $5 | $5 | $5 | $0.35 per mile | N/A |
| Delaware | $5 | $5 | $5 | – | N/A |
| District of Columbia | $5 | $5 | $5 | Signer must agree in advance | Not set |
| Florida | $10 | $10 | $10 | – | $25 |
| Georgia | $2 | $2 | $2 | Signer must agree in advance | N/A |
| Guam | $10 for the first two signatures and $8 for each additional signature. | – | N/A | ||
| Hawaii | $5 | $5 | $5 | – | $25 |
| Idaho | $5 | $5 | $5 | – | Not set |
| Illinois | $5 | $5 | $5 | – | $25 |
| Indiana | $10 per signature | U.S. General Services Admin | $25 | ||
| Iowa | No fee schedule | ||||
| Kansas | No fee schedule | N/A | |||
| Kentucky | No fee schedule | ||||
| Louisiana | No fee schedule | N/A | |||
| Maine | No fee schedule | N/A | |||
| Maryland | $6 | $6 | $6 | IRS ($5 max) | $25 |
| Massachusetts | No fee schedule | N/A | |||
| Michigan | $10 | $10 | $10 | Signer must agree in advance | $10 |
| Minnesota | $5 | $5 | $5 | – | $5 |
| Mississippi | $5 | $5 | $5 | Signer must agree in advance | N/A |
| Missouri | $5 | $5 | $5 | Signer must agree in advance | $5 |
| Montana | $10 | $10 | $10 | IRS | $10 per signature |
| Nebraska | $5 | $2 | $2 | Dept. of Admin Services | $25 |
| Nevada | $15 | $15 | $7.50 | $15 to $30 per hour (signer must agree in advance) | $25 |
| New Hampshire | $10 | $10 | $10 | $0.20 per mile | $25 |
| New Jersey | $2.50 or a flat fee of $15 for real estate transfers | N/A | Not set | ||
| New Mexico | $5 | $5 | $5 | Not set | $25 |
| New York | $2 | $2 | $2 | – | $25 |
| North Carolina | $10 | $10 | $10 | Prohibited | N/A |
| North Dakota | $5 | $5 | $5 | Not set | $5 |
| Northern Marianas | $2 | $2 | $2 | – | N/A |
| Ohio | $5 | $5 | $5 | Not set | $25 |
| Oklahoma | $5 | $5 | $5 | – | $25 |
| Oregon | $10 | $10 | $10 | Not set | $25 |
| Pennsylvania | $5 | $5 | $5 | – | N/A |
| Puerto Rico | Fees vary depending on the service | ||||
| Rhode Island | $5 | $5 | $5 | IRS | $25 |
| South Carolina | $5 | $5 | $5 | Not set | N/A |
| South Dakota | $10 | $10 | $10 | – | $10 |
| Tennessee | No fee schedule except $25 for RON | $25 | |||
| Texas | $6 | $6 | $6 | – | $25 + regular notary fee |
| US Virgin Islands | $5 | $5 | $5 | – | N/A |
| Utah | $10 fee per signature | – | $25 | ||
| Vermont | No fee schedule | ||||
| Virginia | $5 | $5 | $5 | Not set | $25 |
| Washington | $10 | $10 | $10 | Not set | $25 |
| West Virginia | $10 | $10 | $10 | – | N/A |
| Wisconsin | $5 | $5 | $5 | – | $5 |
| Wyoming | $10 | $0 | $10 | IRS | N/A |
You can find a qualified notary public in your area through several avenues. For example, AAA, your bank, law firms and The UPS Store usually house at least one notary. In addition, tax preparers, auto tag and license service centers, photocopy shops, universities and libraries often have a notary.
However, if traveling to a notary isn’t possible, you can hire an independent notary to come to you. Mobile notaries advertise online, so an Internet search can help you find one. Specifically, you can use your state’s Notary Public database, Angi, Craiglist or Yelp.
Likewise, customers across the country can get documents notarized online through virtual notary services like Notarize, FedEx, NotaryCam and DocVerify. That being said, not every state allows remote notarizations, as outlined above in the fee chart.
Notary public fees cover the cost of certifying documents and signatures, ranging by document type and state. While the fees are unavoidable, there are ways to save money. You can find a notary at banks, law firms, UPS and online directories. To save money on notary costs, get multiple documents notarized together, ask for referrals and check with local government offices for lower-cost options. By exploring these avenues, you can reduce the financial burden of notary fees while ensuring proper certification of your documents.
Photo credit: ©iStock.com/megaflopp, ©iStock.com/shironosov, ©iStock.com/shironosov
Ashley KilroyAshley Kilroy is an experienced financial writer currently serving as an investment and insurance expert at SmartAsset. In addition to being a contributing writer at SmartAsset, she writes for solo entrepreneurs as well as for Fortune 500 companies. Ashley is a finance graduate of the University of Cincinnati. When she isn’t helping people understand their finances, you may find Ashley cage diving with great whites or on safari in South Africa.
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