Notary fees

How much does a notary cost in 2025?

Statutory per-signature fees, mobile travel premiums, and online notary pricing — explained in plain English so you know exactly what you'll pay before you book.

$5–$15

In-office

$25–$100

Mobile visit

$25 flat

Online (RON)

$125–$200

Loan signing

What you actually pay for a notarization

Every notarization in the United States carries up to three layered costs: (1) the statutory per-act fee set by state law, (2) optional mobile travel charges if the notary comes to you, and (3) convenience premiums for evenings, weekends, holidays, or rush turnaround. The statutory fee is the smallest piece — most states cap it between $5 and $15. The travel fee is where total cost varies most: $25 in a dense urban core, $75+ for suburban or rural distance, $100+ for hospital, jail, or after-hours visits.

Typical 2025 fee ranges by service type

In-office walk-in notarization: $5–$15 per signature. Mobile notary visit (in-metro): $25–$50 travel + $5–$15 per signature. Mobile notary visit (suburban/rural): $50–$100 travel + per-signature fees. Loan signing (refinance / purchase): $125–$200 flat for the full package. Apostille processing: $50–$150 per document plus state-agency fees. Remote online notarization (RON): $25 flat per notarial act, any time, any state. NotarySeal publishes the booked notary's full fee schedule before you confirm — no surprise charges at the table.

Why mobile and online beat in-office on total cost

A 'cheap' $10 in-office notarization can cost you $40 in gas, parking, and lost work hours by the time you've driven to a bank, waited in line, and discovered they only notarize for account holders. Mobile notaries arrive within 1–2 hours and execute at your kitchen table. Online sessions complete in 10–15 minutes from your laptop. For all but the lowest-stakes single-signature documents, total cost (money + time) favors mobile or online.

What drives the price up

  • Travel distance and time of day
  • Number of signatures
  • Witnesses required
  • Hospital, jail, or facility visits
  • Rush turnaround under 2 hours

What you should never pay extra for

  • A 'document review' surcharge
  • Charges for blank ID checks
  • Per-page printing on standard docs
  • 'Convenience' fees not disclosed upfront
  • Hidden booking platform markups

Frequently asked questions

How much does a notary cost?

Standard in-office notarization typically runs $5–$15 per signature, with most states capping the per-act fee by statute. Mobile notaries add a travel fee of $25–$75 depending on distance and time of day. Remote online notarization is a flat $25 per notarial act nationally.

Why do notary fees vary by state?

Each state legislature sets the maximum statutory fee a commissioned notary can charge per notarial act — ranging from $0.50 in Maine to $25 in Florida and California. Mobile travel fees and convenience charges are negotiated separately and are not capped.

Are notary fees negotiable?

The per-signature statutory fee is fixed by state law. Mobile travel fees, after-hours premiums, and multi-document discounts are negotiable — especially for recurring business or bulk signings.

Do notaries charge per signature or per document?

Per signature, almost always. A single document with three signers requiring notarization charges three notarial acts. A document signed by one person but requiring two notarial certificates (acknowledgment + jurat) counts as two.

Is the notary fee tax-deductible?

If the notarization relates to a business expense, rental property, or investment activity, the fee is generally deductible. Personal-use notarizations (e.g., a personal POA) are not. Consult your tax advisor.

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