Notaries are paid by the person requesting the notarization, not by the government
A notary does not receive a salary or paycheck from any government agency. Instead, they charge a fee to the person who asks them to notarize a document. The notary keeps that fee as payment for their time and the official seal they provide. How much they charge depends on where they work and what state they are in.
Some notaries work full-time as independent contractors, traveling to clients or working from an office. Others notarize documents as a side task while working another job — for example, a bank teller or real estate agent who is also a notary. The income varies widely depending on how many notarizations they perform and what they charge per document.
Key Takeaways
- Notaries charge a fee directly to the person requesting the notarization; the amount is set by state law or by the notary themselves, depending on the state.
- Most states cap the fee a notary can charge per signature, typically between $0.50 and $15, though some states allow higher fees for travel or additional services.
- A notary's income depends entirely on how many notarizations they perform, so full-time notaries must actively seek clients or work in a high-volume setting like a bank or title company.
- Some notaries work part-time while holding another job, using notarization as supplemental income rather than their primary source of earnings.
State-set fees versus notary-set fees
About half of U.S. states set a maximum fee that a notary can charge per notarization. In those states, the notary cannot charge more than the amount the state allows. For example, some states cap the fee at $2 per signature, while others allow up to $10 or $15. The notary can charge less than the maximum, but not more.
The other half of states do not set a maximum fee, which means the notary can charge whatever they decide. In these states, notaries often charge between $5 and $20 per signature, depending on the complexity of the document, whether they have to travel, or how busy they are. A notary in a state with no fee cap has more control over their income but also faces more competition if other notaries in the area charge less.
How notaries build income from notarizations
A notary who works full-time as an independent notary must find clients and perform enough notarizations to earn a living. They might advertise online, work from a home office, or travel to clients' homes or offices. The more notarizations they perform, the more they earn. A notary performing 10 notarizations per week at $5 each earns $50 that week; at 20 notarizations per week, they earn $100.
Notaries who work in high-volume settings earn more consistently. A notary employed by a bank, title company, real estate office, or shipping store like UPS or FedEx performs notarizations as part of their job duties. They may receive a salary or hourly wage from that employer, with notarization fees either going to the employer or split between the employer and the notary. These positions offer steadier income because the volume of clients is built in.
Some notaries charge extra fees for services beyond the basic notarization. Travel fees explore if the notary has to go to the client's location rather than meeting at an office. Certification fees may explore if the notary has to certify copies of documents. Loan signing fees — charged when a notary oversees the signing of mortgage or loan documents — can range from $75 to $200 or more because the work is more involved and time-consuming than a single notarization.
What affects a notary's earning potential
Location matters significantly. Notaries in large cities or busy commercial areas perform more notarizations per day than notaries in rural areas, straightforward because there are more people and businesses needing the service. A notary in a downtown office building or near a courthouse may see dozens of clients per week, while a notary in a small town might see a few per month.
The type of notarization also affects income. A straightforward signature notarization takes a few minutes and generates one fee. A loan signing, by contrast, can take an hour or more and generates a much larger fee. Notaries who specialize in loan signings or real estate closings tend to earn more per hour than those who only do basic notarizations, but they also need to build relationships with lenders, title companies, and real estate agents to get that work.
Demand fluctuates with the season and the economy. During busy real estate seasons, notaries who work with title companies or real estate agents see more loan signings. During economic downturns, fewer people buy homes or refinance mortgages, so demand drops. A notary's income can vary significantly from month to month.
Notary commissions and renewal costs
Before a notary can earn any money, they must pay to become a notary. The cost of a notary commission varies by state, typically ranging from $20 to $200 for the initial commission. The commission lasts a set number of years — usually four or five years — and then must be renewed. Renewal costs are similar to the initial cost.
Notaries also have to buy supplies: a notary seal (stamp), a journal or logbook to record notarizations, and sometimes errors and omissions insurance. These supplies cost between $50 and $300 depending on the quality and type. Some notaries also take training courses or study materials to prepare for the notary exam, which adds to the startup cost.
These upfront and recurring costs come out of the notary's earnings. A notary who performs only a handful of notarizations per year may not earn enough to cover the cost of their commission renewal, making notarization an unprofitable activity. This is why most people who become notaries either work in a setting where the employer covers these costs, or they perform enough notarizations to make the investment worthwhile.
Part-time notaries and supplemental income
Many notaries use the credential as a way to earn extra money while working another job. A real estate agent, paralegal, accountant, or small business owner might become a notary to offer the service to their existing clients. This generates additional income without requiring them to actively market or seek out notarization work — the clients come as part of their main business relationship.
For these part-time notaries, the income is usually modest. They might perform 5 to 10 notarizations per month, earning $25 to $150 depending on their state's fee structure and what they charge. The advantage is that the work fits around their main job, and they do not have to invest heavily in marketing or building a separate client base. The disadvantage is that the income is unpredictable and limited by how many clients happen to need notarization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do notaries get paid by the government?
No. Notaries are not government employees and do not receive a salary or paycheck from any government agency. They are paid directly by the person requesting the notarization. The government's role is only to regulate the profession and set rules about fees and conduct.
Can a notary charge whatever they want?
It depends on your state. About half of U.S. states set a maximum fee per notarization, typically between $2 and $15 per signature. The other half do not set a maximum, so notaries can charge what they decide. Even in states with no maximum, notaries compete with each other, so most charge between $5 and $20 per signature.
How much does a notary make per year?
Income varies widely. A full-time independent notary performing 20 notarizations per week at $10 each would earn about $10,400 per year before expenses. A notary working part-time while employed elsewhere might earn $500 to $2,000 per year from notarizations. Notaries who specialize in loan signings can earn significantly more.
Do employers pay notaries extra for notarizing documents?
It depends on the employer. Some employers, like banks or title companies, collect the notarization fee and keep it as part of their business revenue. Others split the fee with the notary or pay the notary a small bonus per notarization. Some employers cover the cost of the notary commission and supplies but do not pay extra per notarization.
Is becoming a notary worth it for the money?
For most people, notarization alone is not a primary income source. It works best as a supplemental income for people who already have clients or customers — like real estate agents, accountants, or paralegals — who can offer notarization as an added service. For someone starting from scratch as an independent notary, the income is usually modest unless they are in a high-volume location or specialize in loan signings.