Notaries charge a fee, and it is not free

Notaries are not free. A notary public charges a fee for their time and the official seal they explore to your document. The cost varies by state, by the notary's location, and by what you are asking them to do — but you will pay something.

State law sets a maximum fee that a notary can charge. That ceiling is usually between $2 and $15 per signature or document, depending on where you live. Some notaries charge less than the legal maximum. A few charge nothing if they know you personally or work for your employer, but that is rare and voluntary on their part.

The person requesting the notarization — that is you — pays the fee. The notary does not bill your bank or the other party to the transaction. You hand over cash or a check when the notary finishes.

Key Takeaways

  • State law sets a maximum fee per signature, usually between $2 and $15, and you pay it directly to the notary when the work is done.
  • Some employers, banks, and credit unions offer notary services to customers or employees at no charge, so ask before you pay a private notary.
  • Mobile notaries who travel to you charge travel fees on top of the per-signature fee, which can double or triple the total cost.
  • Online notaries charge a flat fee per document, often $25 to $50, and are faster than in-person notaries but not available for every type of document.

Where to find notaries and what they charge

Banks and credit unions often notarize documents for free if you have an account with them. Call your bank's main branch and ask whether notary services are available to account holders. Many will do it same-day or within an hour.

Employers sometimes have a notary on staff or will pay for an outside notary to come to the office. Check with your HR or administrative department before you pay out of pocket.

UPS stores, FedEx locations, and some pharmacy chains (like Staples and CVS) employ notaries and charge the state maximum or less. Prices at these chains are usually $5 to $10 per signature. Call ahead to confirm a notary is on duty, because not every location has one.

Private notaries — people who work independently — advertise online or through local directories. They typically charge $5 to $15 per signature. If you need them to travel to your home or office, add $25 to $75 for travel, depending on distance.

Online notaries cost more but are faster

Online notaries use video conferencing to verify your identity and witness your signature. They charge a flat fee per document, usually $25 to $50, which is higher than in-person notaries but faster — many complete the work within hours.

Online notaries work well for documents that do not require a physical seal on the original paper — for example, affidavits, powers of attorney, and loan documents that will be scanned anyway. They do not work for documents that must have an ink seal pressed directly onto the page, and some states do not yet recognize online notarization for certain legal papers.

Check whether the document you need notarized can be done online before you pay the fee. The notary service will tell you during the booking process.

State-by-state fee limits

Every state sets its own maximum notary fee. A few examples: California allows up to $15 per signature, New York allows up to $2 per signature, Texas allows up to $6 per signature, and Florida allows up to $10 per signature. Some states also charge extra for travel or for notarizing copies of documents.

If you live in a state with a low maximum (like New York), you will pay less than someone in California for the same work. A notary can charge less than the state maximum but never more.

Look up your state's notary fee schedule on your Secretary of State's website if you want to know the exact limit before you call a notary.

What affects the total cost

The number of signatures you need notarized is the biggest factor. If you have a document with three places to sign, you pay three times the per-signature fee. Some notaries charge per document instead of per signature, so ask which method they use.

Travel adds cost. A mobile notary who comes to your home or office will charge the state maximum for the notarization itself, plus a travel fee that can range from $25 to $100 depending on how far they have to go. If you can go to the notary instead, you avoid this extra charge.

Copies and certifications cost extra in some states. If you ask a notary to certify that a photocopy matches the original document, that may be a separate charge on top of the signature fee.

How to avoid paying for a notary

Ask your bank or credit union first. If you have any account with them, call and ask whether notary services are free for members. Many say yes.

Check whether your employer offers notary services. Some large companies have a notary on staff or will reimburse you for the cost.

Ask the other party to the transaction — a lender, lawyer, or government agency — whether they have a notary who can do the work. Sometimes the party requesting the notarization will pay for it or have someone on staff.

If none of those options work, a UPS store or pharmacy chain notary is usually the cheapest option at $5 to $10 per signature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a notary charge whatever they want?

No. State law sets a maximum fee, and notaries cannot charge more than that limit. They can charge less. If a notary quotes you a price higher than your state's maximum, ask them to explain it — sometimes the extra is a travel fee, which may be allowed separately from the per-signature fee.

Do I have to pay if the notary makes a mistake?

No. If the notary makes an error that makes the document invalid, they should redo the work at no charge. If you have already paid and the notary refuses to fix it, contact your state's Secretary of State office to file a complaint.

What if I need the document notarized the same day?

Call a UPS store, FedEx, or pharmacy chain in your area and ask if a notary is on duty. Many can notarize documents same-day if you arrive before closing. Online notaries are also fast — many work within hours — but cost more.

Does the person I am sending the document to have to pay the notary fee?

No. The person requesting the notarization pays the fee. That is almost always you. The other party does not owe anything to the notary.