1.

Gerry
September 20th, 2007 at 11:53 am

In most states, the stated minimum fee does not limit what the notary may charge for non-notary services that he or she is qualified to provode. These other services might include advise from an attorney, copying, delivery, or travel.

2.

Nick
September 20th, 2007 at 12:15 pm

Yup, that’s why I specifically stated that these fees are the maximum for single-page, single-signature notarizations. That’s all I had done the other day, and I was still overcharged. If I had needed a copy of something, I expect I would have had to pay $80 more or something!

3.

Ingrid
September 20th, 2007 at 10:57 pm

In New Hampshire you can go to your local bank and they usually have a notary on staff who will do it for free if you have an account for them. I’ve done this both at Sovereign Bank and Bank of America

4.

Nick
September 21st, 2007 at 11:38 am

D’oh! Should’ve thought of that myself, Ingrid. We’ve got nothing but banks around here.

5.

Brian
September 21st, 2007 at 11:25 pm

I can’t believe this was a serious enough issue that states had to enact laws to set limits. Maybe the result of the Notary Mafia in the 70s or something.

6.

Florida Notary
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:53 pm

As a notary who travels throughout my geographical region, I’m always very careful to state that my fee includes a travel fee of $xx, plus the state-authorized $10 notarial fee. I state the fees up front when I take an initial call from a potential customer. I also have an office in our local pack ‘n ship (no, I’m not the big fat notary guy)…and I charge only the state-authorized fee for single page notarizations.

You should be aware, though, that some states allow a notary to charge per signature rather than per notarization. In those states, multiple signers on a document allows the notary to charge the state-authorized fee for each signature rather than each stamp. Florida is not one of those states, however.

FYI, most states also have a prescribed method to file a complaint about notary misconduct. For Florida, the method is listed on the Secretary of State’s website and at the Governor’s Office website. If a complaint is found to be true, the State will revoke the notary’s commission.

7.

Nick
September 24th, 2007 at 9:32 am

Thanks for your input, Florida Notary. I’m sure I could expand the chart to include the states that allow per-signature charges, but that would take some time to research. I’ll keep it on my plate though.

And of course it’s expected that traveling notaries will charge traveling fees. No point in driving 60 miles if you can only make $2.00 for a notarization.

8.

mapgirl
October 21st, 2007 at 5:28 pm

Wachovia will also do it for free if you have an account.

9.

Notary Public
November 7th, 2007 at 5:10 am

I am laughing about your pursuit of correct fees. Yes, each state has a limit on what a notary can charge for a notarization, that is true. But by listing what the state limits are, you may be confusing and misleading the general public. The state limit fees do not include the use of any supplies. For example, if the notary wording on the document is incorrect, the notary must attach a “loose leaf” sheet with the appropriate wording. There usually is a charge for that. Also, if you can’t get yourself to a shipping place, a mobile or traveling notary is your best option. Can you imagine a notary actually making money charging $4.00 for notarizing a signature after the costs associated with gas, traveling time, supplies such as loose leafs, advertising, maintaining a website? Doesn’t make sense, does it. I guess if you can get a tune up on your car and just pay the price of the spark plugs, then all this would make sense.

The guy behind the counter at the “shipping place” probably does the occasional notarization as his main business is shipping. However full time notaries are up to date on the current notary law and all the types of documents requiring notarizations and how that notarization should be done. Would you want a power of attorney form incorrectly notarized? How about a will or family trust? Would you pay an attorney $5000 to draft a family trust and then have the whole thing worthless in court because you went to the “shipping place notary” cause it only cost $4.00 there?

There are many court cases concerning folks that had documents incorrectly notarized and later found out that the document lost it’s full force and effect because the notarization wasn’t executed correctly.

Here is a link to some cases that I’ve listed on my website, so you can get an idea of the importance of having this done correctly with someone that knows what they are doing http://mymobilenotary.us/news.htm

10.

Rounin
November 13th, 2007 at 11:24 pm

There’s nothing to laugh about Nick’s pursuit of correct notary fees. The intention is good, warning us that there are notary public that take advantage to the public and their priority is making more money rather than public service. Besides, the table of notary fees that Nick’s posted is very clear, MAXIMUM FEES ALLOWED FOR MOST SINGLE-PAGE, SINGLE SIGNATURE NOTARIZATIONS BY STATE AS OF SEPTEMBER 19,2007, this is , if you’re the one who will bring the single page, single-signature document to the notary public office. Is the signature of the notary public use a gallon of ink and is the seal costs that much? But of course, mobile notary public is another story, and also the correction in the wording of the document that needs “loose leaf” is another thing, any extra service or copies requires extra charge, that is reasonable. But for a single -page , single-signature document that needs no correction at all, it needs just the signature, and you personally bring the document in the office, i don’t think it’s right to exceed the limit that the state implemented. And by the way, are the “shipping place notary” aren’t the same to the other public notary? They are all over the place and internet, how come they are allowed to operate? I appreciate it if somebody answers this question. And Nick, thank you for the informations you’re giving to all the people in the internet, it’s really a big help to us, I hope you continue doing this! Good luck and may the force be with you!

11.

Nick
November 14th, 2007 at 12:16 am

Rounin, the shipping place notaries are real public notaries. They get away with their extra fees because people don’t know about the maximum allowable fees and how to report violators.

12.

Obbop
December 8th, 2007 at 5:19 pm

Dearly Beloved,

We are gathered today so that I, the Mighty Obbop, star of neither stage nor screen, can share his accumulated wisdom of a really long time.

“How long, Obbop,” I can envision the assembled multitude shouting out, in unison, sounding like one loud voice that roars across the proverbial fruited plains, echoing off purple-tinted mountains rising majestically above the fore-mentioned plains that, lying within the rain shadow of said mountains likely can not naturally allow the growing of fruit trees unless the bipedal primates infesting the planet where all this is going on perform some sort of irrigation to allow the growing of trees that result in fruited plains.

Oh. Notary fees.

Uhhhh… in the cultural backwater of Nebraska, at least in the Omaha area, every notary I have stumbled across does not charge a fee for stamping their stamp upon the paper needing a notary stamp.

Bank employees, insurance agency workers, there’s a slew of folks ready to make their official notary mark with nary a fee.

Bless their little souls.

13.

J
May 24th, 2008 at 3:38 pm

The general public has no clue about what professional notaries do for a living. They think we just go around and sign our names for cash. The shipping store guy – yeah – he’s a rip off. The person who doesn’t charge anything – doesn’t care what the document is and probably doesn’t/can’t read it anyway, which I might add is a violation of being commissioned where I’m from, maybe one-horse towns have no laws governing their notaries?? I can’t believe that anyone is squawking about having to pay a mere $2.00 for a professional service. And if you think you aren’t paying at the bank, check your statement next time – oh, you’re paying for it whether you choose to watch them take it out of your pocket or not. LOL

14.

Christine
September 24th, 2008 at 11:41 am

I just called my local UPS store at 4101 Tates Creek Centre Dr in Lexington, Kentucky, and they are trying to charge me $5.00 to have a single page notorized.
What a rip off!! How can I report this violation?

15.

Christine
September 24th, 2008 at 11:57 am

Update on previous post, I called another UPS store on Nicholasville Road and they charge $7.50 per seal! When I asked why it wasn’t .20 or .50 cents as listed in the Kentucky Notary Handbook, the man replied that they run a business, and have to pay for lights, electricity and operational costs! WTF!!!!!!!! And that the .20 or .50 cent charges would only be if you “provided the service out of your house or something”

16.

COMMON CENTS....GET IT?
November 25th, 2008 at 10:45 am

If you do not agree with the fee, don’t pay it. Find another Notary.

If, however, you feel that you MUST make the world a better place and want to take the time to do the research about notary fees AFTER you needed a notary, then find a web site like this. Report the Notary in question.

Be aware, after you have documented all the conditions in which you feel the big bad “large” notary signed your document or documents and charged you a whopping $4 bucks, he might have been entitled to charge you. Knowledge is power. If you bring charges against him/her they to have rights and might file counter claim against you for and your alleged injustice of $2.00. But after having to hire a lawyer do defend your self, was it all worth it? See how out of control things can get when people get petty.

17.

NH Homes For Sale
December 6th, 2008 at 4:59 pm

“I can’t believe this was a serious enough issue that states had to enact laws to set limits. Maybe the result of the Notary Mafia in the 70s or something.”

How can you not beleive that this happens?

18.

Carson Stewart
December 20th, 2008 at 10:37 pm

Your Ohio cost is incorrect.

They can charge up to $2.00

http://www.sos.state.oh.us/Notary/DosDonts.aspx

# For acknowledging all instruments in writing, you are entitled to a fee of $2.00;
# For recording an instrument which is required to be recorded by a notary public, you are entitled to a fee of $0.10 for each 100 words;
# For taking and certifying an affidavit, you are entitled to a fee of $1.50.

19.

Najee
January 4th, 2009 at 12:42 am

I’m a volunteer tax preparer in Baltimore MD and i became a notary public because we could help the clients better, after finding out that they was people out there taking advantage of the public.
Last tax season we help an immigrant filled his taxes, he needed itin numbers his family. He had all the required documents that needed notarization.
The client came back the following day asking where else could he go because the Notary he found was charging him $.30.00 por page when the maximum fee was $5.00 using the stamp or embosser.
Luckyly for him we was able to find out the requirements, so some other volunteers and I became notary Public.
I appreciate the time you have put in to inform people about their rights.
This is the link to the organization I volunteer for baltimorecashcampaing.org

20.

Brian
February 18th, 2009 at 1:07 am

I myself am a Georgia Notary Public/Officer of the State.

and yes there are those who take advantage of those who don’t no what the limits on notary services are and in most cases they don’t even no what a notary public is or dose.

when I became a notary, before filing my application my signature had to be signed in the presence of a notary, so I asked the staff at the superior court clerks office if they had a notary to assist me they calmly said NO we don’t have a notary here and directed me to the counties tag and title office, that they may have one there, I inquired there and they did and the lady signed & stamped my application for appointment as a Notary and charged me $10.00 Georgia max fee is $2.00

I paid it and then returned to the same superior court clerks office (that had NO notary) handed over my application, paid my fee and was sworn into office by a county judge.

21.

Rubber Stamps
April 17th, 2009 at 1:50 pm

Don’t forget your notary stamps!

22.

Jeff
April 20th, 2009 at 9:18 pm

I am a Ky Notary. I find that it is very common that the county Clerk’s office does not know or follow the statutes regarding Notaries. I became a Notary 3 years ago and have never charged for the service. I will be sworn in on 5/1 as an attorney and I became a notary so I could help with all the pro bono work we were doing through my law school.

I have both a stamp and an embosser because some situations require an embosser or a stamp even though in KY it is legal to just use your signature and the expiration date of your appointment.

23.

Joanne
May 8th, 2009 at 8:55 am

I like Notary Brian from Georgia. He does not know the difference between no” and know” in a sentence or does from dose, so I hope he never has to rewrite any wording for a client. We have to be very careful of wording, spelling and structuring.

24.

north carolina mountain homes
May 26th, 2009 at 1:49 am

Good post. Setting up a blog is the easy part. Making it interesting so people will visit is the hard part. These are good tips. I would also recommend reading other blogs, observing how they’re set up, and making comments on occasion.

Thanks

25.

orange county mobile notary
June 17th, 2009 at 12:04 am

Very accurate list! I know that it can be expensive to get a notarization, but as a notary public I can testify to the fee’s and schooling that we have to go through to service the public. It cost us money to serve the public, so a couple bucks is not to much to ask is it?

26.

claudia
August 19th, 2009 at 2:11 pm

I just talked to a notary at a shipping store, and was told his charge would be $5 PER signature! Since there are 32 signatures required for my document, that’s $160. WOW!

27.

Bob
November 19th, 2009 at 3:17 pm

Wow, there are some really defensive notaries out there. “Notary Public” takes the cake, though: he implies that Nick went to the shipping place notary because it “ONLY cost $4″ there (which, you may remember, is already twice the legal limit); I wonder how many times the legal limit he feels Nick should have paid to insure that he was getting quality service.

The point is not how much he paid. The point is that the state has set a limit, and if a notary is charging more than that without apparently providing any extra-value services, it raises the question as to what OTHER regulations he might be willing to ignore for a few extra bucks. ABSOLUTELY these people should be reported to the state for investigation. Maybe the excess is a legitimate charge, but if so, why isn’t the notary spelling out exactly what it’s for up front?

28.

Fed Up Notary
January 6th, 2010 at 6:51 pm

“Rip-off, my butt!” Ferchrissake, get a grip and stop whining about notary fees, especially at “shipping stores.” I own one, I’m a notary, and I’m about to shut down that function, ’cause I’ve had a bellyfull of mouth-breathing, knuckle-dragging cheapskate idiots who slap a pile of paperwork on the counter and say “I need dis notarized,” expecting me to explain the particulars of the document to him/her, bitching about having to go 50 feet to the car ’cause they forgot any I.D, and generally tying up my time and counter space, preventing me from doing real business, while their snot-nosed brats entertain themselves by opening bags of packing peanuts or banging on the buttons on the copying machines, then finally saying, “Yew mean yew charge for each time yew stamp hit?” Most notaries in shipping stores got to be one ’cause they were told it would bring in traffic that could be converted to customers. In 15 years, I can’t remember one notarty customer who ever bought anything else, or came back, either. If I could, I’d charge $20 for every stamp. But since I can’t, screw it, you won’t find me listed under Notaries in the next Yellow Pages, I’ll damn well tell you. Let the whiners who complain about spending about the same price as a McMeal for the services of someone who is putting a great deal of liability on the line–and YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE–try and find someone at a bank who’ll even see them if they’re not a customer, let alone do it for free. Did I mention, “screw ‘em?” And you, too, if that’s your cheapskate attitude.

29.

Ron
January 7th, 2010 at 3:05 pm

NOTARY PUBLIC ( 18 YEARS), CERTIFIED SIGNING AGENT ( 6 YEARS ), MEMBER NATIONAL NOTARY ASSOCIATION ( 18 YEARS ), SHIPPING STORE OWNER ( 15 YEARS )

First, I agree that most if not all states establish maximum fee schedules for notary publics.

Second, I agree that all notary’s should adhere to those established maximum fee schedules, that is the law!

Third, you of all people should recognize the liability that a notary assumes in the performance of their notary acts and you of all people should recognize that the fees are grossly out of line.

Fourth, you apparently found value and or convenience in the $4 notary fees or you were stupid in not going else where.

Fifth, Since you found value and or convenience in the fee then you have NO complaint.

Sixth, Regarding your answer (#7) to “Florida Notary”, YES you do need to do the research regardless of the time necessary. If you are going to provide information to the public then provide factual information not partial fact information.

Seventh, to “Notary Public”. Your insinuation that “The guy behind the counter at the “shipping place” is not “up to date on the current notary law and all the types of documents requiring notarizations and how that notarization should be done” MAY be true in some situations although I know many of these shipping store owners and I also know the lengths they go to in order to stay current and many of them are more knowledgeable than self proclaimed “professional” notary’s. I have found that MANY “professional” notary publics are “not up to date on the current notary law and all the types of documents requiring notarizations and how that notarization should be done”. That is one of the reasons banks across the nation are getting out of the notary business. Too dang much liability and too costly for them to stay current with notary law. And I do agree with your statement regarding the “importance of having this done correctly with someone that knows what they are doing” but that does not preclude “The guy behind the counter at the “shipping place”..

Eighth, to “Rounin” regarding your statement “Is the signature of the notary public use a gallon of ink and is the seal costs that much”? But of course, mobile notary public is another story,” Question – are you saying that because the mobile notary incurs additional expenses in going to the client that additional charges above the state authorized charges are then justified ? Is this because the mobile notary now has the additional expense of additional time, auto expense, advertising, etc., etc., which is professional recognized as “Overhead Expenses” ? The justifiably “The guy behind the counter at the “shipping place” also has additional expense in providing a convenient location for the client. Let’s see, lease payments, utility bills, business insurance, just to name a few of a list of expenses a mile long that no client ever takes into account when considering the “cost of business” necessary to provide the convenience and service. These additional expenses are above and beyond the expenses of a common mobile notary which the “The guy behind the counter at the “shipping place” still has to pay.. In your statement you insinuate that the cost of the notary should be justified by the amount of ink and the cost of the seal – prorated of course ? Then do you charge more that a nickel for your notary service? If you do then in your own assessment you are over charging the client regardless of what your state allows you to charge for the performance of your duties. Aghhhh, and you probable call yourself a business man also.. Aghhhhh…
You stated “And by the way, are the “shipping place notary” aren’t the same to the other public notary?’ To answer the question – YES they are. They are Commissioned by the same authority that Commissioned you. Was that wrong? They are held to the same standards that you are. Is that wrong ? You also stated “They are all over the place” YES, providing a safe, convenient location for the public to have documents properly notarized. How convenient is your location ? Are you operating out of your residence? Just how convenient is that? How professional doe the client perceive you to be if you cannot afford a regular business location? You further stated “and internet, how come they are allowed to operate?” WHOA, BOY.. Do you advertise YOUR mobile notary business via the internet ? YEP you probably do! Then why is it OK for you to do so and not OK for “The guy behind the counter at the “shipping place”.. Hypocrite ! You asked “how come they are allowed to operate?” Because they have been Commissioned by the same authority you were. They conform to the same laws you do. They become educated in notary law just like you do and provide the exact same service you do in a more convenient location to clients than you probably do. Have you ever performed a notary act in the front seat of your car? Probably.. Just how professional is that???? You stated “There are many court cases concerning folks that had documents incorrectly notarized and later found out that the document lost it’s full force and effect because the notarization wasn’t executed correctly.
My question is – How many of these acts were committed by “The guy behind the counter at the “shipping place” and how many were committed by “professional notaries”? You also stated “Would you pay an attorney $5000 to draft a family trust and then have the whole thing worthless in court because you went to the “shipping place notary” cause it only cost $4.00 there? Well let’s see, if you were in the same state as Nick are you saying you would have done it for $2 because that is what the state allows??? Then what does the price issue have to do with legally performing a notary act? The rate is regulated by the state. But since the notary only charged $4 then the notary act has no value?? And you would charge more so the client perceives your notary act has more value??? Aghhhhhhhhhhhh…
Ninth, To “J” poster # 13 – You stated “The general public has no clue about what professional notaries do for a living. They think we just go around and sign our names for cash. The shipping store guy – yeah – he’s a rip off.”
So, you are a “professional notary” ! Perhaps the shipping story guy Nick encountered was a rip off. BUT Nick found convenience and value as he was willing to pay the charges. Please do not judge all shipping store guys and gals in the same light until you have personal knowledge. Should I judge all Home Based Mobile Notary’s working out of a spare bedroom of their residence in the same light as “Fly by Night” notaries – Here today and gone tomorrow ? However “J” there is some brilliance in the balance of your statements. Thank you. Just how much would be proper to pay for a “professional” service. Certainly the fees of $ 2, $4, etc., don’t really reflect the professionalism of the notary and it is an insult to the notary to be regulated to such piddling fees.. It nowhere near reflects the actual cost of providing the service even if it is performed in the front seat of a car ! Let alone the liability incurred.

Tenth, Christine – post # 10.. I do not condone the statements or the charges as you have stated and you should notify your state authority. I certainly hope your language on an open forum such as this doesn’t reflect your professionalism.

And lastly – Dear Fed Up Notary, While you state your experience with SOME of your notary clients I would dare say it is the exception instead of the rule.
In my stores we have found the same type clients you describe to be some of our shipping clients. It is by virtue of having a convenient retail location that these types also walk thru our doors.
I do believe you should allow your commission to expire and concentrate on your core business of shipping. Your attitude towards notary clients certainly shouldn’t carry across to your clients whether they be notary clients or shipping clients.

30.

Sika
January 15th, 2010 at 3:19 pm

Seriously? I’m embarrassed by some of the so called “professional” notaries jumping all over poor Nick for being an ungratefully wretch. He simply chose to post some information about state laws and you get all defense about how rough and misunderstood your profession is, as if he were attaching you, which he’s not.

If you have a problem with the fee limits in your state…talk to your state about it. Or, better yet, don’t become a notary! You knew the fees when you started! Don’t blame the customer for your inability to cover overhead or belief that the fee is not appropriate for the liability involved. $4 or $40, the amount does not matter, if an establishment is charging more than the law allows, it is ripping people off for profit.

31.

Chris
January 29th, 2010 at 8:14 pm

Honestly, you should never have to pay to get something notarized. There is so many different sources of notaries that you can almost always find someone to do it for free. This may include going to your bank which will almost always ahve a notary to asking around between your friends. In the end, the fee may not be much, but through a little research you can almost always find a notary that will not charge.

32.

Sarah
February 4th, 2010 at 7:33 pm

Sounds like some of you want something done for nothing. Do you think it’s fair that the notary who took a class and paid all their fees to become a notary not be compensated at all? How cheap can you be. Especially if the person became a notary for additional income purposes. I agree though that noteries that over charge on fees should be reported. There are plenty of noteries out there that may notirize your documents for free. You just need to know were they are, usually family members or friends of family members that’s a notary. Other than that, pay for the service.