Notaries charge per signature, not per document
A notary's income comes from fees charged to the person requesting the notarization. The standard payment is per signature notarized, not per page or per document. In most states, a notary can charge between $0.50 and $15 per signature, though the actual amount varies by state law and what the market will bear in your area.
The person requesting the notarization pays this fee directly to the notary at the time of service. If a document has three signatures that need notarizing, the notary charges three times. A notary does not earn money from the government or from any employer unless they work for a bank, law firm, or other organization that employs them as part of their job.
Most notaries are self-employed and set their own rates within their state's legal limits. Some work part-time from home, while others operate as independent contractors or run dedicated notary businesses.
Key Takeaways
- Notaries charge per signature notarized, with state-set maximum fees ranging from $0.50 to $15 per signature depending on where you live.
- The person requesting the notarization pays the fee directly to the notary at the time of service, not to any government body.
- Many notaries work part-time or from home and keep all fees they collect, though some are employed by banks or law firms as part of their regular job.
- Income depends on how many notarizations a notary performs, which varies widely based on location, marketing, and whether they advertise their services.
- Some notaries increase earnings by offering related services like document preparation, mobile notary visits, or certified copies.
How notaries find customers and build income
A notary's earning potential depends on how many people know they exist and can reach them. Notaries who work for banks or law offices have a built-in customer base and earn a salary or hourly wage, so their income is steady but not tied to the number of notarizations they perform.
Self-employed notaries must market themselves to build a customer base. Common ways to attract customers include listing themselves on online notary directories, advertising on Google or local business sites, word-of-mouth referrals, and partnerships with real estate agents, title companies, or mortgage lenders who regularly need notarizations.
A notary in a busy urban area or near a courthouse may attract more walk-in customers than one in a rural area. Some notaries advertise mobile services, meaning they travel to the customer's home or office, which allows them to charge higher fees and serve more clients in a day.
State fee limits and what notaries can actually charge
Each state sets a maximum fee a notary can charge per signature. Some states cap the fee at $0.50 to $2 per signature, while others allow $5 to $15. A few states do not set a maximum and allow notaries to charge whatever the market supports. You can find your state's fee schedule on your state's Secretary of State website or notary regulatory body.
Within the legal limit, a notary can charge less than the maximum or negotiate with regular customers. Some notaries charge a flat rate for straightforward notarizations and higher rates for complex documents, mobile visits, or rush service. A notary cannot charge more than the state maximum, and doing so can result in fines or loss of their notary commission.
In addition to per-signature fees, some states allow notaries to charge separate fees for services like making certified copies, administering oaths, or traveling to a customer's location. These additional fees also have state-set maximums.
How much a notary can realistically earn
Income varies widely depending on how many notarizations a notary performs and what they charge. A part-time notary who handles five to ten notarizations per week at $5 per signature might earn $25 to $50 per week, or roughly $100 to $200 per month. A full-time notary in a busy area who performs 20 to 40 notarizations per week could earn $500 to $2,000 per month or more.
Notaries who work for employers like banks or title companies earn a salary or hourly wage and do not rely on per-signature fees. Their income is more predictable but typically lower than what a busy independent notary can earn.
The biggest variable is volume. A notary in a high-traffic location with good marketing and strong relationships with real estate and legal professionals will earn significantly more than one who works passively or in a low-demand area. Some notaries supplement their income by offering related services such as document preparation, fingerprinting, or loan signing services.
Loan signing as a higher-income notary service
Loan signing is a specialized notary service where a notary witnesses the signing of mortgage documents, refinancing paperwork, or other loan agreements. Loan signings typically involve multiple signatures and pages, and notaries charge a flat fee per signing rather than per signature. Fees for loan signings range from $50 to $200 or more, depending on the complexity and the notary's experience.
To offer loan signing services, a notary must complete additional training and often obtain a separate certification or background check. Loan signings are coordinated through title companies, mortgage lenders, and signing services that connect notaries with borrowers. A notary who handles even two or three loan signings per week can significantly increase their monthly income compared to standard notarizations.
Loan signing work is more stable than general notary work because it is tied to the mortgage and refinancing market. During periods of high refinancing activity, notaries with loan signing credentials can earn substantial income from this service alone.
Operating costs and what notaries keep
A notary's actual take-home income is the fees collected minus any business expenses. For a part-time notary working from home, expenses are minimal: a notary stamp and seal (one-time cost of $15 to $50), a journal to record notarizations (required by law in most states, costing $10 to $30), and possibly liability insurance ($100 to $300 per year).
A notary who operates a dedicated business or offers mobile services has higher expenses: office rent, vehicle costs, marketing, website hosting, and professional liability insurance. These costs can range from $200 to $1,000 or more per month depending on the scale of the operation.
Self-employed notaries must also set aside money for taxes, since they do not have an employer withholding taxes from their pay. The amount depends on how much they earn and their location, but it typically ranges from 15 to 25 percent of gross income.
Why notary income varies so much by location and business model
A notary in a major city with a courthouse, real estate offices, and mortgage lenders nearby has more potential customers than one in a small town. Proximity to high-volume businesses like title companies and law firms directly affects how many notarizations a notary can perform in a day.
A notary who actively markets their services and builds relationships with repeat customers earns more than one who relies on occasional walk-in business. Notaries who specialize in loan signings or offer mobile services also tend to earn more because they can command higher fees and serve customers who cannot visit a physical location.
The state you live in also matters. States with lower fee caps limit how much a notary can charge per signature, while states with higher caps or no maximum allow notaries to earn more per transaction. A notary in a state that caps fees at $2 per signature will need to perform many more notarizations to match the income of a notary in a state that allows $15 per signature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do notaries get paid by the government?
No. Notaries are paid by the person requesting the notarization, not by any government agency. The government issues the notary commission and sets the rules, but does not pay notaries for their work. A notary's income comes entirely from fees charged to customers.
Can a notary charge whatever they want?
No. Each state sets a maximum fee a notary can charge per signature, typically between $0.50 and $15. A notary can charge less than the maximum or offer discounts, but cannot exceed the state limit. Charging more than the legal maximum can result in fines or loss of the notary commission.
How much does a notary make per year?
Income varies widely. A part-time notary might earn $1,200 to $2,400 per year. A full-time notary in a busy area could earn $15,000 to $50,000 or more annually. Notaries who specialize in loan signings or offer mobile services typically earn on the higher end. Income depends on location, marketing, volume, and whether the notary works part-time or full-time.
Is being a notary a full-time job?
It can be, but most notaries work part-time or combine notary work with another job. A notary can build a full-time business by specializing in loan signings, offering mobile services, or building strong relationships with real estate and legal professionals. In slower markets, notary work alone may not generate enough income to be a sole source of employment.
What is the difference between a notary's fee and a loan signing fee?
A standard notary charges per signature, typically $0.50 to $15 depending on the state. A loan signing fee is a flat rate charged for witnessing an entire loan closing, which may include dozens of signatures. Loan signing fees range from $50 to $200 or more because they involve more work and responsibility than a single notarization.