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Hotline Tip: How Much Can I Charge As A Mobile Notary?

I’ve been working as a Notary at my job for several years, and I’ve recently decided to get more out of my commission by becoming a mobile Notary. How much am I allowed to charge for a signing, if the notarization includes travel, photocopies, or other services? –C.K., Calabasas, CA

Updated 2-9-23. The question regarding Notary fees is a common one for both mobile Notaries and Notary Signing Agents alike, and there are several factors to consider when determining your fee. First, make sure you understand what your expenses are in providing Notary services. You mention several. The good news is that California’s Notary fee statute only regulates the per signature fee for notarizations, so you are free to set fees for ancillary services as you please. Since travel is one of your main expenses, you can check out the IRS website that offers a helpful reference for determining how much to charge per mile. [Business mileage for 1/1/2022 through 6/30/2022 is 58.5 cents per mile for business miles driven. From 7/1/2022 through 12/31/2022, the rate is  62.5 cents per mile for business miles driven.]

If offering mobile Notary services, the customer still pays the standard fee for a California notarization, which is $15 per signature for a jurat or an acknowledgment. From there, you would communicate the additional costs for ancillary services clearly to your signer prior to completing the notarization.

If you want to conduct mortgage loan signings, you will be paid by a title company, escrow agency or signing service instead of a signer, and you will be paid a flat fee for all of your services. The most important advice when it comes to Notary fees is to always establish and clearly communicate the total with your client before you perform the notarization, and always carefully record the fees collected, so that you will never be accused of overcharging your clients.

Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors

Confronted with a tricky notarization? Unsure how to proceed? NNA members have unlimited access to our expertly trained NNA Hotline consultants to help you with all of your notarial questions. Call 1-888-876-0827, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. PST; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.




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26 Comments

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aracely@pa250.net

04 Jan 2024

hello what is the cost for mobile notary in california for example in the area of hayward, castro valley, oakland , livermore ?? i know for a notary doc is $15 but i would like to know for the travel fee . thank you

National Notary Association

05 Jan 2024

Hello. In California, the Secretary of State has said, "Other fees, such as travel fees and/or loan signing fees should not be included as fees charged for the notarial service. You may note other fees charged in the additional information portion of your journal" (Notary News, 2020).

michelle.rios.notary@outlook.com

17 Apr 2022

How much I can charge for my time as a mobile public notary in Florida?

National Notary Association

19 Apr 2022

Hello. Florida does not regulate travel fees for Notaries. If you choose to charge a travel fee, you should communicate with the customer prior to the notarization that the travel fee is separate from the notarization fee. Please see here for more information: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2021/07/notary-travel-fees-across-united-states

Johanna Braat

18 Oct 2021

When charging notary public mileage fees, I assume we ask for roundtrip mileage, right?

National Notary Association

21 Oct 2021

Hello. To help us answer your question, can you please tell us what state you are commissioned in?

Johanna

18 Oct 2021

Would the travel fee for mileage to perform a mobile notary act be for roundtrip?

Willie Smith

04 Jun 2020

What is the traveling fee for a Notary in the State of Michigan? The Notary fee is $10.00. I can’t get a clear answer on the mileage fee.

National Notary Association

05 Jun 2020

“Before the notary public commences to travel in order to perform a notarial act, the notary public and client may agree concerning a separate travel fee to be charged by the notary public for traveling to perform the notarial act” (MCL 55.285[7]).

Sharlett Laufenberg

07 Mar 2020

A business partner and I are starting a mobile notary business in Idaho and we are wondering what we can charge as a flat rate for notary documents and how much can we charge for travel? Are there restrictions in Idaho?

National Notary Association

12 Mar 2020

Hello. The maximum fee an Idaho Notary may charge for any notarial act is $5 (IC 51-133). In addition to the fee, a notary public may be compensated for actual and reasonable expense of travel to a place where a notarial act is to be performed (IC 51-133[2]). More information regarding charging travel fees can be found here: www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2015/06/five-tips-notaries-charging-travel-fees

Ethel rubio

06 Aug 2019

My commission is for the state of Arizona I like to know what’s the fee for miles I can charge for mobile notary services.

National Notary Association

07 Aug 2019

When traveling to perform a notarial act, in Arizona, “notaries public may be paid an amount up to the amount authorized for mileage expenses and per diem subsistence for state employees as prescribed by title 38, chapter 4, article 2” (ARS 41-316[B]). The Arizona Department of Administration determines this mileage fee through its General Accounting Office. For the latest authorized mileage fees, check the fee schedule online at www.gao.az.gov/travel.

Rene Smythe

28 Nov 2018

Your page is way out of date. The fee for a notarization in California is $15.

National Notary Association

29 Nov 2018

Hello. We've updated the Hotline Tip answer with the current CA fees. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

Holly Flick

13 Sep 2018

Hello. I am a newly commisionned NP in New York. What business fees may I charge, above the state mandated signing fees? I'm having a hard time finding answers. Thank you in advance for your help.

National Notary Association

13 Sep 2018

Hello. You may not charge more than the maximum fee prescribed by New York Notary law for notarizations. New York Notary law does not address guidelines for Notaries charging travel fees separate from Notary services.

Angela Malone

16 Jul 2018

What's the maximum amount that I can charge for mobile notary in the State of California?

National Notary Association

17 Jul 2018

Hello. The maximum statutory Notary fee that can be charged for a notarization in California is $15 per signature notarized. The Secretary of State's office has published guidelines in its newsletter stating that Notaries may charge separate fees for travel or other services, but the customer must be informed about these fees before the notarization takes place.

alma ledezma

13 Jul 2018

how much can a nortary charge for services. such as power of attorney letter and traveling 158 miles round trip.

National Notary Association

16 Jul 2018

Hello Alma. Notarization and travel fees vary depending on your state. What state are you commissioned in, please?

Aly

07 May 2018

What is the updated recommneded travel fee in the state of PA?

National Notary Association

08 May 2018

Hello. At this time, Pennsylvania does not set a recommended travel fee for Notaries. The PA Department of State's website says the following: "Notaries public may charge a clerical or administrative fee for services they have provided related to the notarial act, such as copying documents, postage, travel and telephone calls. These clerical or administrative fees are not set by the Department. Such clerical or administrative fees must be customary and reasonable for the geographic area and for the service rendered. Customers should be informed prior to the notarization of a document if a clerical fee is being charged in addition to the notary public fees. The customer's receipt should itemize these fees. Clerical and administrative fees, if charged, must be separately itemized in the notary journal." (http://www.dos.pa.gov/OtherServices/Notaries/General%20Information%20and%20Equipment/Pages/Notary-Public-Fees.aspx)

Jesi

09 Apr 2018

What is the updated recommended travel fee to charge for 2018 seeing as cost per signature has gone up to $15?

National Notary Association

09 Apr 2018

Hello. Travel fee rules may vary depending on state law. What state are you commissioned in, please?

nikki@nchwealth.com

29 Sep 2017

Just curious about mobile notary rates

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