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National Notary Association
The National Notary Bulletin

Can I charge a Notary fee for document witnesses?

By NNA Staff

When notarizing a document that requires witnesses, can the $5 fee be applied or is it only for the single principal signer? — K. E., North Carolina

The $5 fee is per principal’s signature that is notarized and may not be applied to the signatures of witnesses. You may not charge a fee for the witnesses’ signatures unless their signatures are required to be notarized.

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

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10 Comments

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Lauren A

22 Jan 2024

I live in okc, ok. Are we allowed to charge for providing a witness? And as a notary, as long as the witness signature doesn't need to be notarized, am I allowed to sign as a witness?

National Notary Association

29 Jan 2024

Hello. In Oklahoma, “The maximum fee a notary may charge and collect for each notarial act is Five Dollars ($5.00) …” (49 OS 5). “A notary public, or a person acting for or on behalf of a notary public, may charge and collect a fee not to exceed Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) for a remote online notarial act” (49 OS 209). Please see this article for information on requests for a Notary to sign as a document witness: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2018/05/notary-tip-requests-to-serve-as-a-document-witness

Shailynn Hughes

05 Sep 2023

In the state of New Jersey, if an associate acts as a witness to a document, can we charge for this?

National Notary Association

06 Sep 2023

Hello. No.

Jack Roditi

22 Jul 2023

I am just inquiring as to whether there are any tax benefits to being a Notary. I am in New Jersey.

National Notary Association

24 Jul 2023

Hello. You would need to consult with a qualified income tax professional or income tax attorney about your individual financial situation for information on possible tax benefits on becoming a Notary Public.

Jack Crawford

29 Aug 2022

Can we charge a fee for "providing" a witness? I have a UPS Store in CA. Occasionally a customer will need a document notarized that also requires 1 or 2 witnesses. As the notary, I do not sign as a witness. However, they will often ask if one of my associates can sign as a witness. We usually accommodate their request, but I'm curious as to whether we could include a charge for providing this service.

National Notary Association

06 Oct 2022

In California, a Notary Public can serve as both a Notary and as a signature witness on a document; however, the Notary may not charge an additional fee. Additionally, a Notary may only act as a witness when the signature of the witness is not required to be notarized. If a person decides to act as a witness, what fee or charges…if any…are between that witness and the signer. Also, you should check to see if there is any prohibitions in internal UPS policies and procedures for an Associate to act as a witness.

westujan@att.net

27 Aug 2022

Why don't I get the magazine anymore. Also, I failed to renew my NNA membership that expires in 2023 but I did renew my Notaryship. How can I renew just the NNA. Thanks

National Notary Association

02 Sep 2022

Hello. Publication of the print magazine was discontinued in 2020. However, we continue to publish in-depth features and special reports in the online National Notary Bulletin. You can find published online articles here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/the-national-notary Please contact our Customer Care team at services@nationalnotary.org and they can assist you with any questions about membership renewal.

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