How much does a notary cost?
State law caps notary fees at roughly $2-$25 per signature (often about $10). Mobile notaries add travel; online notarization runs $25-$50.
Key takeaways
- State law caps the per-signature notary fee, ranging from about $2 (New York, Georgia) to $25 (Rhode Island), with a national average around $8.
- A common cap is $10-$15 per act; California, Colorado, Nevada, and Washington allow $15.
- About 41 states set a maximum fee; roughly 10 states set no cap and let notaries price their own services.
- Mobile notaries add a travel fee - typically $40-$75 for a standard visit, and $75-$150+ for evenings, weekends, or rush jobs.
- Remote online notarization (RON) typically runs $25-$50 per session and skips the travel fee.
A standard notarization typically costs between about $2 and $25 per signature – often around $10 – because each state caps the fee. That per-act fee is only part of the picture: a mobile notary who travels to you adds roughly $40-$75, and remote online notarization runs about $25-$50 per session. What you pay depends heavily on your state and how the notary is delivered.
What a notary costs
The base cost of a notarization is the per-act (per-signature) fee, which most states cap by law. According to a state-by-state notary fee breakdown from LegalCostCalculator, maximum acknowledgment fees run from $2 to $25 per act, with a national average of about $8. NotaryLive similarly reports state-regulated fees of $1 to $25 per signature. On top of that base fee, travel and online options carry their own pricing.
| Service | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Per signature (in person) | $2 – $25 | State-capped; average ~$8, often $10-$15 |
| Bank / library notary | $0 – $10 | Often free for account holders |
| Mobile notary travel fee | $40 – $75 | Added to the per-act fee; not state-capped |
| After-hours / rush mobile | $75 – $150+ | Evenings, weekends, urgent jobs |
| Remote online (RON) | $25 – $50 | Per session; no travel fee |
These fees vary heavily by state. LegalCostCalculator lists the lowest caps in New York and Georgia at $2 (New Jersey is $2.50) and the highest in Rhode Island at $25, with California, Colorado, Nevada, and Washington at $15 and Maryland at $8. It reports that about 41 states enforce statutory caps while roughly 10 states – including Alaska, Kansas, Massachusetts, and Tennessee – set no maximum, letting notaries charge their own rates (often $5-$15). RON caps can differ from in-person caps: Florida allows $25 per online act and Maryland up to $30.
What moves the price
- Your state. The statutory per-act cap is the main driver. The same signature can be capped at $2 in New York and $25 in Rhode Island.
- Number of signatures. Fees are usually charged per notarial act, so a document needing several signatures or multiple signers costs more. Texas, for example, allows $10 for the first signature plus $1 for each additional.
- In person vs. mobile. A mobile notary who comes to you adds a travel fee – typically $40-$75, and more for after-hours or long distances. Travel fees are market-based, not state-capped.
- Online vs. in person. Remote online notarization runs about $25-$50 per session and removes travel time, though not every state authorizes it.
- Where you go. Many banks and some libraries offer notary service free or cheap, especially to customers, which can beat a paid notary for simple documents.
For a single, simple document, checking your bank first is often the cheapest route. For a stack of documents signed at your home or office – or a same-day need – a mobile or online notary is worth the added fee.
Why the per-act fee is only the starting point
The state cap sets the floor, but it rarely reflects what a real appointment costs. NotaryLive notes that “many caps have not been updated in years,” so in capped states the base fee can feel trivially low – yet the total you pay rises with travel, timing, and document type. A mobile notary bundles the state per-act fee with a travel charge, and that travel charge is set by the market, not the legislature, which is why two mobile notaries in the same state can quote different totals. Loan signings and real estate closings are their own category: several states set higher caps for mortgage or deed-related acts, and specialized loan-signing agents typically charge more than a walk-in notarization because of the volume of documents and the responsibility involved.
The practical takeaway is to price the whole service, not just the stamp. Ask up front whether the quote includes the per-signature fee, any travel fee, and how additional signatures or signers are counted. For routine documents, a bank or library notary may cost little or nothing; for convenience, urgency, or many signatures, expect the mobile or online premium on top of the state-capped base fee.
This is general information, not legal advice. Notary fee caps are set by each state and can change – confirm the current maximum in your state before paying.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a notary legally charge per signature?
It depends on your state. Caps range from about $2 (New York, Georgia) to $25 (Rhode Island) per act, with a national average around $8. Many states cap it at $10-$15.
Why do notary fees vary so much by state?
Each state legislature sets its own maximum per-act fee, and roughly 10 states set no cap at all. That's why an identical notarization can cost $2 in one state and $25 in another.
How much does a mobile notary cost?
A mobile notary charges the state per-act fee plus a travel fee, typically $40-$75 for a standard daytime visit and $75-$150 or more for evenings, weekends, or rush jobs. Travel fees aren't state-capped.
What does online (remote) notarization cost?
Remote online notarization (RON) typically runs $25-$50 per session and skips the travel fee. Some states set separate RON caps - Florida allows $25 per online act, Maryland up to $30.
Can I get something notarized for free?
Often, yes. Many banks and some libraries notarize documents free or cheaply, especially for account holders or patrons, which can be the lowest-cost option for a simple document.
Does each signature cost extra?
Usually. Fees are charged per notarial act, so more signatures or signers cost more. Texas, for instance, allows $10 for the first signature and $1 for each additional one.
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