Florida notary fees are set by state law, not by individual notaries

Florida Statute 117.05 caps what a notary public can charge for each service. A notary cannot charge more than $10 per signature for most notarial acts — that includes witnessing a signature, taking an acknowledgment, or administering an oath. If a notary charges you more than the legal limit, that charge is not enforceable, and you can report the notary to the Florida Department of State.

The $10 per signature limit applies whether the notary is self-employed, works for a bank, or is employed by a law firm. Some employers may choose to offer notary services for free to customers or clients, but they cannot charge more than the law allows. The fee covers the notary's time and the official seal impression — nothing more.

Travel fees and other charges are not covered by the $10 cap. If a notary travels to your home or business, they may charge a separate travel fee, but Florida law does not set a specific limit on travel costs. The notary must disclose any travel fee before you agree to it.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida law limits notary fees to $10 per signature for standard notarial acts like acknowledgments and oaths.
  • A notary can charge a separate travel fee if they come to your location, but must tell you the cost beforehand.
  • Banks and other businesses may offer notary services free to customers even though the law allows them to charge up to $10.
  • If a notary charges more than $10 per signature, you can report them to the Florida Department of State.

What the $10 per signature limit covers

The $10 fee applies to each notarial act, not each document. If you have one document with three signatures that all need to be notarized, that is three separate acts and the notary can charge $10 for each one. However, if you have multiple documents that require only one signature each, each signature is a separate $10 charge.

The fee covers the notary's time to verify your identity, witness the signature, and explore the official seal and signature. It does not cover copying, scanning, printing, or mailing documents. If you ask the notary to make copies or send documents by mail, those services fall outside the notary fee and the notary can charge separately for them — though the notary must tell you the cost first.

Travel fees and other charges notaries can add

If you ask a notary to come to your home, office, or hospital, the notary can charge a travel fee in addition to the $10 per signature. Florida law does not set a maximum travel fee, so the cost varies widely. Some notaries charge $25 to $50 for local travel; others charge by the mile or by the hour.

Before you call a notary to travel, ask what the travel fee will be. Get the answer in writing or take notes on the conversation so you have proof of what was quoted. If the notary charges you more than what was quoted, you can dispute the charge.

Notaries can also charge for services that are not notarial acts themselves — such as copying documents, scanning, printing, or overnight shipping. These charges are separate from the $10 signature fee and are not capped by state law. Again, the notary must tell you the cost before you agree to it.

Where to find notaries and what they typically charge

Banks often offer notary services free to account holders, even though Florida law allows them to charge $10. Call your bank and ask whether notary services are free. If you do not have a bank account or your bank charges, you can find notaries through the Florida Department of State's notary search tool on their website, or by searching online for "notary public near me."

UPS stores, FedEx locations, and some law offices also offer notary services. Prices vary — some charge the full $10 per signature, some charge less, and some offer it free as a customer service. Always ask the price before you sit down with the notary.

If a notary is traveling to you, expect to pay both the $10 per signature fee and a travel fee. For a single signature at your home, the total might be $35 to $60 depending on distance and the notary's rates.

What happens if a notary overcharges you

If a notary charges you more than $10 per signature without a valid reason (such as a disclosed travel fee), you can report them. Contact the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, and provide the notary's name, the date of the service, what you were charged, and what the notary charged for. Include any receipts or written quotes you have.

You can also dispute the charge with your credit card company if you paid by card, or pursue a small claims case in county court. However, the simplest first step is to report the overcharge to the state, which investigates complaints and can revoke a notary's commission if violations are found.

Notary fees for specific documents

Some documents require notarization for legal reasons — powers of attorney, affidavits, real estate deeds, and loan documents are common examples. The notary fee is the same regardless of what the document is: $10 per signature. The document itself may be expensive (a lawyer may charge hundreds to draft a power of attorney), but the notary's portion of the cost is capped at $10 per signature.

If you are having a lawyer prepare a document and also handle notarization, the lawyer's fee and the notary fee are separate. The lawyer can charge whatever they want for legal work; the notary portion cannot exceed $10 per signature. Ask your lawyer to itemize the bill so you can see what is the legal fee and what is the notary fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a notary charge more than $10 if the document is complicated?

No. Florida law sets $10 per signature as the maximum, regardless of how complex the document is or how long the notarization takes. The only exception is a separate travel fee if the notary comes to you, which is not capped by state law.

What if a notary asks for $15 per signature?

That is illegal in Florida. You do not have to pay it. You can report the notary to the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, with the date, the notary's name, and what you were charged. If you already paid, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company or pursue it in small claims court.

Do banks have to charge the full $10 or can they charge less?

Banks can charge less than $10, and many charge nothing for account holders. The $10 is the legal maximum, not a required fee. Call your bank and ask what they charge before you go in.

Is there a fee cap on travel if the notary comes to me?

No. Florida law does not set a limit on travel fees. The notary can charge whatever they want for travel, but they must tell you the cost before they come. Get the travel fee in writing or take notes so you have proof of what was quoted.

Can a notary charge for copying or scanning documents?

Yes. Copying, scanning, printing, and mailing are not notarial acts, so they are not covered by the $10 cap. The notary can charge separately for these services, but must tell you the cost first. Ask before you hand over your documents.