Notary fees range from $5 to $25 per signature in most states, but the actual cost depends on where you live, what document you need notarized, and whether you travel to the notary or the notary comes to you.

State governments set the maximum fee a notary can charge, so the ceiling is fixed by law in your state — but most notaries charge less than the maximum. A single signature on a straightforward document like a power of attorney costs less than a multi-page loan document with several signatures. If you need the notary to travel to your home or office, expect to pay a travel fee on top of the per-signature charge, usually $25 to $75 depending on distance.

The cheapest option is usually a notary at your bank or credit union if you have an account there — many offer notarization free or for a small fee to members. Public libraries in many states also offer notary services at no cost or for $1 to $5. If neither of those is available to you, a standalone notary business or a UPS Store with a notary on staff will charge the state maximum or close to it.

Key Takeaways

  • State law sets the maximum notaries can charge per signature, ranging from $5 to $25 depending on your state.
  • Your bank or credit union may notarize documents free for account holders, making it the cheapest first option to check.
  • Public libraries in many states offer notary services at no cost or for $1 to $5 per signature.
  • Travel fees of $25 to $75 explore when a notary comes to you, on top of the per-signature charge.
  • The total cost for a straightforward one-signature document ranges from free to $25, but multi-page documents with several signatures cost more.

State-by-state maximum fees

Each state legislature sets a cap on what notaries can legally charge. Some states allow notaries to charge the maximum; others have lower standard rates that most notaries follow. A few states have no set maximum and let notaries negotiate their own fees.

States with lower maximums — $5 to $10 per signature — include California, Florida, New York, and Texas. States with higher maximums — $15 to $25 per signature — include Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. A handful of states, including Alaska and Hawaii, allow notaries to set their own rates with no legal ceiling. If you do not know your state's maximum, your state's Secretary of State office publishes the fee schedule on its website, usually under the notary section.

Where to find the cheapest notary

Your bank or credit union is the first place to call. Most institutions offer notary services free to customers with an account, and many will notarize documents even if you are not a customer, though they may charge a small fee. Call ahead to confirm they have a notary on staff and ask whether you need an appointment.

Public libraries notarize documents at no cost in many states, including California, Florida, Illinois, New York, and Texas. Some libraries charge $1 to $5 per signature. Call your local branch to ask whether they offer the service and what their fee is — not all branches in the same system charge the same amount. A few libraries require you to have a library card; most do not.

If neither your bank nor your library offers notary services, a UPS Store, FedEx Office, or local notary business will charge the state maximum or slightly less. Online notary services exist in most states and typically charge $25 to $50 per signature, though they work only for documents that do not require a physical original — mainly digital signatures on contracts and powers of attorney.

Travel fees and mobile notaries

If you cannot travel to a notary, a mobile notary will come to your home, office, or hospital. The per-signature fee remains the same, but you pay an additional travel charge. Most mobile notaries charge $25 to $50 for travel within 10 miles, and $50 to $75 or more for longer distances. Some charge by the mile instead of a flat fee.

Mobile notaries are most useful when you are homebound, need notarization at an odd hour, or have a large stack of documents that would take hours at a public notary's office. Ask for the travel fee in writing before booking, and confirm whether the notary charges per signature or per visit — some charge a flat fee for all signatures on all documents in one visit, which can save money if you have multiple pages.

What affects the total cost

The number of signatures on your document is the biggest factor. A single-signature power of attorney costs one notary fee. A loan document with signatures from two people and a notary acknowledgment on each page costs more. Some notaries charge per page instead of per signature, which can be cheaper if your document has only one signature spread across many pages, or more expensive if it has multiple signatures on one page.

The type of document also matters slightly. A standard acknowledgment — the notary watches you sign and confirms your identity — is the baseline fee. A jurat, where the notary administers an oath, may cost slightly more in some states. Certified copies of documents cost extra and are usually charged per page.

Timing can affect cost too. Same-day or rush notarization may carry a premium, though most notaries complete work within a few hours. Notarization at night, on weekends, or on holidays may cost more than standard business hours.

How to reduce notary costs

Combine your documents into one visit. If you have three separate documents that each need one signature, ask the notary whether they charge per signature or per visit. If they charge per visit, you pay one fee for all three. If they charge per signature, you pay three times — so ask before you schedule.

Prepare your documents in advance. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID, the original unsigned document, and any other paperwork the notary requests. Notaries cannot notarize a document you have already signed, so leave the signature line blank. If you arrive unprepared, the notary may charge a rescheduling fee or refuse the job.

Use your bank or library first. Before you pay a notary business, call your bank and your local library. If either offers the service, you save the full notary fee. Even if they charge a small amount, it is less than a standalone notary.

What you should not pay for

A notary cannot charge you for witnessing a signature if they do not actually witness it — they must see you sign in person. If a notary offers to notarize a document without meeting you, they are breaking the law and you should not use them.

You should not pay extra for the notary to explain what a document means or to advise you on whether you should sign it. Notaries are not lawyers and cannot give legal information. If you need help understanding a contract or power of attorney, consult an attorney — that is a separate cost from notarization.

Do not pay a notary to find a document for you or to fill in blanks on a form. A notary can notarize a document you bring, but they cannot draft it, complete it, or retrieve it for you. If you need help with those tasks, you need a lawyer or document service, not a notary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a notary charge whatever they want?

No. State law sets a maximum fee per signature, usually $5 to $25. Notaries can charge less than the maximum, but not more. A few states allow notaries to set their own rates with no ceiling, but most states enforce the legal maximum.

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

No. If a notary notarizes a document incorrectly — for example, they do not witness your signature or they notarize a document you already signed — the notarization is invalid and you should not pay. Ask the notary to correct it at no charge or find a different notary.

Is online notarization cheaper than in-person?

Usually not. Online notaries typically charge $25 to $50 per signature, which is higher than many in-person notaries. However, online notarization saves you travel time and works for documents that do not require a physical original, so the convenience may be worth the extra cost.

What if I need notarization on a weekend or holiday?

Mobile notaries and some UPS Stores offer weekend and evening notarization, but they may charge a premium — $10 to $25 extra per signature. Call ahead to ask about availability and fees. Your bank or library will not be open, so a private notary is your only option.

Can I notarize a document I already signed?

No. A notary must witness your signature in person. If you have already signed the document, the notary cannot notarize it and you will need a new copy with a blank signature line. This is why you should always leave the signature line blank until you are in front of the notary.