New York's Notary Fee Limits

New York State sets a maximum fee that notaries can charge for most services. A notary in New York cannot charge more than $2 per signature for acknowledgments and jurats — the two most common notary acts. This cap applies whether the notary is self-employed, works for a bank, or is employed by a law firm.

The $2 limit is a state law ceiling, not a suggestion. Notaries can charge less, and many do, but they cannot legally charge more for a standard acknowledgment or jurat without violating New York law. Some notaries charge $1 per signature, while others charge the full $2. You can ask the notary's fee before the work begins.

A few notary acts fall outside this $2 cap. Certifying copies of documents, administering oaths for purposes other than a jurat, and taking depositions have different rules. Those services are less common in everyday notary work, but the fee limits differ from the standard acknowledgment rate.

Key Takeaways

  • New York notaries cannot charge more than $2 per signature for acknowledgments and jurats, which are the most common notary services.
  • A notary can charge less than $2 per signature, and many notaries set their own lower rates within the legal limit.
  • Certifying copies of documents and administering oaths outside a jurat context have separate fee rules and may cost differently.
  • If a notary charges more than $2 per signature for an acknowledgment or jurat, you can report the overcharge to the New York Department of State.

What Services Fall Under the $2 Cap

An acknowledgment is the most common notary service. It confirms that a person signed a document in front of the notary and that the notary knows or verified the person's identity. Acknowledgments appear on real estate deeds, powers of attorney, and affidavits. The $2 per signature limit applies to every acknowledgment.

A jurat is a notary act where someone swears or affirms that the contents of a document are true. The notary administers the oath and then watches the person sign. Jurats are common on affidavits and court documents. Like acknowledgments, jurats are capped at $2 per signature in New York.

If a document has multiple signatures that each need to be notarized separately, the notary can charge $2 for each signature. A deed signed by two people would be $4 total if both signatures need acknowledgment. The notary should tell you the total cost before starting.

Services With Different Fee Rules

Certifying a copy of a document — making an official copy of an original — is not the same as acknowledging a signature. New York allows notaries to charge up to $5 per page for certified copies, which is higher than the $2 per signature cap. If you need five pages certified, the notary can charge up to $25.

Administering an oath for a purpose other than a jurat on a document also has its own rules. For example, if someone needs to swear an oath for a deposition or a court proceeding, the fee is not limited to $2. These specialized oaths can cost more, and the notary should disclose the fee beforehand.

Travel fees are not regulated by New York State. If a notary travels to your home or office, they may charge a separate travel or mobile notary fee on top of the per-signature charge. This fee varies widely depending on distance and the notary's business model. Always ask about travel costs before booking a mobile notary.

How to Verify a Notary's Fees

Before you use a notary, ask what they charge. Many notaries post their fees on their websites or answer fee questions by phone. If you are using a notary at a bank or law office, ask the staff directly — they can tell you the exact cost for your document.

If a notary charges more than $2 per signature for an acknowledgment or jurat, that is an overcharge under New York law. You can report this to the New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services. Keep a record of what you paid and when, along with the notary's name and location.

Some notaries advertise "free notary services" if you are a customer of their bank or employer. This is legal — the $2 cap is a maximum, not a minimum. Banks and credit unions often notarize documents for account holders at no charge as a customer service.

Common Situations and What They Cost

A single signature on a power of attorney or deed: up to $2. A document signed by two people, each needing acknowledgment: up to $4. A five-page certified copy: up to $5 per page, or $25 total. A mobile notary who travels to your home plus one acknowledgment: up to $2 for the notary act, plus whatever travel fee the notary charges (unregulated).

If you are notarizing multiple documents at the same appointment, each document with one signature costs $2. Three documents with one signature each would be $6. The notary cannot bundle them into a single fee — each signature is counted separately.

Notaries who work for title companies, real estate agencies, or law firms may have different arrangements with their employers. Some employers pay the notary a salary and do not pass the fee to the customer. Others charge the customer and the notary keeps the fee. Either way, the customer should not be charged more than the state maximum.

What to Do If You Are Overcharged

If a notary charges you more than $2 per signature for an acknowledgment or jurat, you have been overcharged. Write down the notary's name, the date, the location, and the amount charged. Keep your receipt or any written record of the fee.

Contact the New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services, at 518-474-4429 or visit their website to file a complaint. You can also report the notary to your county clerk's office, which maintains records of notaries in that county. Complaints are investigated, and notaries who repeatedly overcharge can lose their commission.

If the overcharge was small, you may decide it is not worth pursuing. But if you were charged significantly more than the legal limit, reporting it protects other people from the same notary. The Department of State takes fee violations seriously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a notary charge me if I am a bank customer?

No. Banks typically offer notary services to their customers for free as part of their account benefits. If your bank charges you for a notary service, ask to speak with a manager — this is not standard practice. Some banks limit free notary services to account holders only.

What if the notary charges $3 or $4 per signature?

That is an overcharge. New York law caps acknowledgments and jurats at $2 per signature. You can refuse to pay the extra amount and report the notary to the New York Department of State. Keep your receipt as proof of the overcharge.

Do mobile notaries charge more than in-office notaries?

Mobile notaries can charge a separate travel fee on top of the $2 per signature, but the signature fee itself cannot exceed $2. Travel fees are not regulated by the state, so they vary. Ask for the total cost — both the notary fee and the travel fee — before the notary comes to you.

Can a notary charge different fees for different types of documents?

No, not for acknowledgments and jurats. The $2 cap applies to all acknowledgments and all jurats equally, regardless of what the document is for. Certified copies and specialized oaths have different rules, but standard notary acts are always capped at $2 per signature.

What if I need a notary on a weekend or holiday?

The $2 per signature limit still applies. A notary cannot charge more just because you need the service outside normal business hours. However, some mobile notaries may charge a higher travel fee for weekend or evening appointments. The notary act itself is still capped at $2.