How much do I charge for each notarial act? As a first time notary public, these are the kind of questions you will be asking on your first day. All the States have entitled their notaries public to receive certain fees for their notary services. Although, the amount for notary services varies in each State. For example, a California notary charges an amount of up to $10.00 for doing notarial acts like acknowledgments, witnessing signatures, notary signatures, and certifying a copy.

In some States, they don’t have specific fee schedules. For instance, an Alaska notary can charge a fee at his or her own discretion.

If you are a notary public, notary signing agent, or an individual trying to have a document notarized and want to know the complete notary public fees in your State, you can contact your Secretary of State’s notary department and ask for a list of fees. Or, you can also find the list of notary public fees here in FindNotary by clicking the name of your State. These fees are subject to changes, so please check for the latest list of fees in your State’s notary department.

It is important to note that as a notary public, you are prohibited to charge more than the maximum set of fees set by the State for each notarial act. Even if your State does not have a set of fee schedule, you are still instructed to charge reasonably for your notarial services.

For individuals who find a notary public charging more than the required fees, you are allowed to report that notary public to your Secretary of State’s Office. Notaries public who are found guilty of overcharging are subject to possible criminal prosecution or revocation of their notary public commission.

Always remember that as a notary public, you are a professional. So charge accordingly in terms of time, skill, and responsibility — just like any other providers of professional services.

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By Casey Likeness