Can I charge a different fee for notarizing a will?

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I am a Notary in North Carolina. When notarizing for a last will or trust, can you charge a different fee for the service, or does it fall under the $10 maximum per signature? — M. C., North Carolina

You may only charge up to the statutory maximum fees, which for acknowledgments, jurats, verifications, or proofs is $10 per signature.

For more information on last wills and testaments, please see our guidelines if you notarize a will.

If you have questions about what to charge for notarizing a will in your state, please see our state Notary fee schedules page.

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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14 Comments

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Lasaundrapickens@yahoo.com

21 Feb 2025

Hello, I'm a beginner in Florida. If I'm notarizing different paperwork for the same signer, can I charge per document or 1 standard price for $10?

National Notary Association

24 Feb 2025

Hello. In Florida, you may charge a fee for each notarial act performed: “The fee of a notary public may not exceed $10 for any one notarial act under this part, except as provided in [FS] s. 117.045 (i.e., rite of matrimony fee) or [FS] s. 117.275 (online notarization fees)” (FS 117.05[2][a] and RMN). An online notary public or the employer of such online notary public may charge a fee, not to exceed $25, for performing an online notarial act under this part. Fees for services other than notarial acts, including the services of a [remote online notarization] service provider, are not governed by this section. A [remote online notarization] service provider’s services are also not considered closing services, as defined in [FS] s. 627.7711, and a fee for those services may be separately charged” (FS 117.275). “For solemnizing the rites of matrimony, the fee of a notary public may not exceed those provided by law to the clerks of the circuit court for like services” (FS 117.045). The current such fee charged by clerks is $30 (FS 28.24[24]).

Abel Campos

14 Feb 2025

Hello, I live in Texas, and the question that I have is can I provide my clients printed copies of needed forms such as Wills, POA's, etc?

Hello. Nonattorney Notaries may not prepare legal documents for customers, or give advice on how to fill out, draft, or complete them. Doing so would be the unauthorized practice of law. Please see this article for more information: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2015/07/notary-basics-avoiding-unauthorized-practice-of-law

Treba R Fernandez

11 Feb 2025

Hello, I am a notary in Arizona, I obtained my notary through my employer. Can they tell me when I can and cannot charge clients for notary services? Thank you

12 Feb 2025

Hello. The following rules apply to employers and Notaries in Arizona: “1. A notary public’s stamping device, commission and any journal that contains only public record entries remain the property of the notary public. “2. A notary public may perform notarial acts outside the workplace of the notary’s employer except during those times normally designated as the notary public’s hours of duty for that employer. All fees received by a notary public for notarial services provided while not on duty remain the property of the notary public. 3. An employer of a notary public may not limit the notary public’s services to customers or other persons designated by the employer” (ARS 41-269.G). “An employer may not cancel the assurance [notary bond] or notary commission of any notary public who is an employee and who leaves such employment” (ARS 41-269.D).

Dawn federman

I have been using notorious certificates with all of my notarizations. I have colleagues that say they don’t use them in Massachusetts. What is the correct answer to this? Thank you.

Hello. Massachusetts has adopted acknowledgment certificates from the Uniform Acknowledgments Act of 1892 (GL 183, Sec. 42) and notarial act certificates from the Model Notary Act.

Barbara A. McBain -Grant

10 Feb 2025

I'm a Notary in New York. Our fee was, and still is $2.00. It appears that other states have gotten an increase in their fees. However, New York's fee is still only $2.00. Why is this? Is there a chance that Our fee will be Raised also?

Hello. Notary fees are set by each state. We are not aware of any plans for New York to increase its Notary fee schedule at this time. However, if this changes, you can check for updates using our state Notary law database here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/knowledge-center/news/law-updates

A.H.

Oregon- When working with estate documents, will, poa. When witnesses are needed can you charge for their signatures as well since you are verifying their ID and recording them in your notary journal? Or can you only charge when the notary certificate they provide list them as well in the verbage? I have had mixed feedback on this from other Notaries so looking to clarify...

Hello. You may not charge a document witness a notarization fee unless you are performing a notarization for the witness, such as an acknowledgment of their signature or administering a jurat.

William Jewell

03 Feb 2025

I am a notary in South Carolina. I am not currently an ordained minister. My niece is getting married in Indiana. She would like me to marry them. What do / can I do to officiate their wedding?

04 Feb 2025

Hello. You would not be able to use your SC commission to officiate a wedding in a different state. Please see this article for more information on Notary and non-Notary options to officiate weddings: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2014/05/how-notaries-add-wedding-services

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