How much does a notary cost?

By Javi Pérez, independent researcher (not a lawyer)Last reviewed · 20 sources cited below · How we research

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change and differ by court and county. Confirm current amounts with the court or a lawyer licensed in your state before you rely on them.

Short answer

Notary fees are capped by state law. In the 16 states we verified, the maximum for an in-person act runs from $2 (Georgia, New York) to $15 (California, Nevada, Washington). Remote online notarization caps are often higher, such as $25 in Florida, Virginia and Washington, and up to $30 plus a $10 technology fee in Ohio; travel fees can be added where state law allows.

Notary fees are capped by state law

A notary does not set the price of a notarization freely. In most states a statute or Secretary of State rule sets the maximum fee for each notarial act: an acknowledgment (confirming who signed), a jurat (a sworn signature), or an oath. Caps in the states we checked run from $2 in Georgia and New York to $15 in California, Nevada and Washington [8][5][1][13][11]. Some states charge per signature, some per person and some per document, so the same paperwork can cost different amounts in different states.

Example (Texas): one acknowledgment with three signatures costs at most $10 + $1 + $1 = $12. Done online, the notary may add up to $25, for a maximum of $37 [2].

Maximum notary fees by state

The table lists the in-person cap and the remote online notarization (RON) cap for 16 states, verified against each state's statute or official fee page. Where we could not verify a remote fee, it says to check with the commissioning office instead of guessing.

Maximum notary fees in 16 states (checked October 11, 2026)
StateMaximum fee, in-person actRemote online notarization (RON)
California$15 per signature (acknowledgment); $15 per person (oath or jurat) [1]Not available yet; check with the Secretary of State
Florida$10 per notarial act [3]Up to $25 per online act [4]
Georgia$2 per act; $4 maximum per service [8]Check with your Secretary of State
Michigan$10 per notarial act [10]Same $10 cap covers "any" notarial act; no separate remote fee in the statute [10]
Missouri$5 per signature (acknowledgment, jurat, signature witnessing) [16]$5 per signature for electronic acts [17]
Nevada$15 first signature, $7.50 each additional (acknowledgment); $15 jurat; $7.50 oath [13]Check with your Secretary of State
New York$2 per oath; $2 per person for acknowledgments [5]Set by Secretary of State regulation; check with the Department of State [5]
North Carolina$10 per principal signature [9]$15 electronic; $25 remote, per signature [9]
Ohio$5 per act [7]Up to $30, plus up to $10 technology fee per session [7]
Oregon$10 per act [14]Up to $25 per act [14]
Pennsylvania$5 for the first name, $2 each additional (acknowledgment); $5 per person (oath) [6]Up to $20 extra per electronic or remote act [6]
Texas$10 first signature, $1 each additional (acknowledgment); $10 oath [2]Up to $25 on top of the regular fee [2]
VirginiaUp to $10 [12]Up to $25 (electronic) [12]
Washington$15 per act [11]Up to $25 (remote) [11]
ArizonaUp to $10 per signature or act [15]No separate fee found in the rules; check with the Secretary of State
WisconsinUp to $5 per document (acknowledgment) [20]Check with the Department of Financial Institutions

Not in the table: Illinois, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Indiana, Colorado, Tennessee and the other states not listed. We could not verify their current caps on an official source, so check with your Secretary of State. Texas law also tells the Secretary of State to adjust the fees for inflation every five years, so confirm the current Texas amounts with that office [2].

What can legally cost more than the cap

The statutory cap covers the notarial act itself. Other charges may be added if the state allows them and you agree in advance:

  • Travel fees for mobile notaries. Nevada sets hourly travel fees in its statute, and Michigan and Oregon allow a travel fee only if the signer agrees to it before the notary travels [13][10][14].
  • Clerical fees. Pennsylvania lets notaries charge customary and reasonable clerical fees for copies, postage or travel, but they must be disclosed in advance and itemized on a receipt [6].
  • Online platform or technology fees. Ohio allows up to $10 per online session on top of the $30 online fee [7].
  • Loan signing services. Missouri allows a separate nonnotarial fee for signing-agent services, which is common for real estate closings [18].

Example (Ohio online notarization): $30 maximum online fee + $10 maximum technology fee = $40 at most per session [7].

How to keep notary costs down

  • Count signatures first. In per-signature states such as California, Missouri and North Carolina, a document signed by two people costs twice as much [1][16][9].
  • Go to the notary rather than having them come to you, unless you need a mobile service; travel fees are where bills grow.
  • Ask your bank, credit union or local library. Some offer notarization to customers or the public at low or no cost.
  • Bring valid photo ID and do not sign in advance if the notary must watch you sign. A wasted trip costs more than the fee.
  • Ask for a receipt. If the charge is above your state's cap, ask the notary to explain it and contact the commissioning office.

A notary is not a lawyer

A notary confirms identity and witnesses a signature. A non-attorney notary cannot tell you whether a document is right for you, fill in legal choices for you or explain its consequences. If you are notarizing a power of attorney, a deed or a will affidavit, the notary step is usually the cheapest part; the expensive mistakes come from what the document says. Some documents also need witnesses in addition to a notary. Florida, for example, requires two witnesses and a notary acknowledgment for a power of attorney [19]. See power of attorney cost, will cost and real estate lawyer cost for what those documents require and cost.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a notary charge per signature?

It depends on the state cap. In the states we checked, the maximum runs from $2 in Georgia and New York to $15 in California, Nevada and Washington, and some states count per signature while others count per act or per document.

How much does online notarization cost?

States that allow remote online notarization often cap it higher than in-person acts: $25 in Florida, Virginia, Washington and Oregon, $25 on top of the regular fee in Texas, and up to $30 plus a $10 technology fee in Ohio.

Can a mobile notary charge more than the state maximum?

The notarial fee itself is capped, but many states allow a separate travel fee if you agree to it before the notary travels. Ask for the travel fee in writing.

Are notaries free at banks?

Some banks and credit unions offer notarization to customers at no charge, but it is a policy choice, not a legal requirement. Call ahead and ask whether they will notarize your document type.

Can a notary help me fill out my legal document?

Generally no. A notary who is not a lawyer can verify identity and witness signatures but cannot give legal advice or choose terms for you.

Sources

  1. Cal. Gov. Code §8211 (notary fees) — California (public.law mirror). California $15 per signature (acknowledgment) and per person (oath/jurat) (checked October 11, 2026)
  2. Tex. Gov't Code §406.024 and §406.111 — Texas Legislature. Texas fees; online notarization up to $25 on top; SOS inflation adjustment every five years (checked October 11, 2026)
  3. Fla. Stat. §117.05 (notary fees) — Florida Legislature. Florida maximum $10 per notarial act (checked October 11, 2026)
  4. Fla. Stat. §117.275 (online notarization fees) — Florida Legislature. Florida online notarial act up to $25 (checked October 11, 2026)
  5. N.Y. Executive Law §136 (notarial fees) — New York State Senate. New York $2 per oath and per person for acknowledgments; electronic fee set by regulation (checked October 11, 2026)
  6. Notary Public Fees (4 Pa. Code §167.3) — Pennsylvania Department of State. Pennsylvania $5 fees and up to $20 extra for electronic or remote acts (checked October 11, 2026)
  7. Ohio Rev. Code §147.08 (notary fees) — Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio $5 per act; online up to $30 plus up to $10 technology fee (checked October 11, 2026)
  8. O.C.G.A. §45-17-11 (notary fees) — Justia (Georgia Code mirror). Georgia $2 per act and $4 maximum per service (checked October 11, 2026)
  9. N.C. Gen. Stat. §10B-31 (fees for notarial acts) — North Carolina General Assembly. North Carolina $10 per signature; $15 electronic; $25 remote (checked October 11, 2026)
  10. MCL 55.285 (notary fees) — Michigan Legislature. Michigan $10 maximum for any notarial act; travel fee by prior agreement (checked October 11, 2026)
  11. WAC 308-30-220 (notary fees) — Washington State Legislature. Washington $15 per act; $25 remote (checked October 11, 2026)
  12. Code of Virginia §47.1-19 (fees of notaries) — Virginia General Assembly. Virginia up to $10; electronic up to $25 (checked October 11, 2026)
  13. NRS 240.100 (notary fees) — Nevada Legislature. Nevada $15 first signature, $7.50 additional; travel fee rules (checked October 11, 2026)
  14. ORS 194.400 (notary fees) — Oregon Legislature. Oregon $10 per act; $25 for remotely located signers; travel fee by agreement (checked October 11, 2026)
  15. Ariz. Admin. Code R2-12-1102 (notary fees) — Arizona Secretary of State. Arizona up to $10 per signature or act (checked October 11, 2026)
  16. RSMo 486.685 and 486.960 (notary fees) — Missouri Revisor of Statutes. Missouri $5 per signature for paper and electronic acts (checked October 11, 2026)
  17. RSMo 486.960 (electronic notarization fees) — Missouri Revisor of Statutes. Missouri electronic acknowledgment, jurat and signature witnessing at $5 per signature (checked October 11, 2026)
  18. RSMo 486.645 (notary fees and nonnotarial fees) — Missouri Revisor of Statutes. Separate nonnotarial fee allowed for signing-agent services (checked October 11, 2026)
  19. Fla. Stat. §709.2105 (execution of power of attorney) — Florida Legislature. Florida POA must be signed by two witnesses and acknowledged before a notary (checked October 11, 2026)
  20. Wis. Stat. §140.02 (notaries public; fees) — Wisconsin Legislature. Wisconsin acknowledgment fee capped at $5 per document (checked October 11, 2026)