In plain English
In New Jersey the fee for a notarial act is capped by law. Travel and other service charges are separate and should be agreed in advance.
Check your own state's rule.
Why it matters
State law sets the maximum a notary can charge for the act itself. Mixing that with travel or printing fees can confuse signers, so clear pricing builds trust and avoids disputes.
For notaries, charging above the state limit for the act can lead to discipline. Signers can protect themselves by asking for a written quote that lists the act fee and any travel charge on separate lines, then checking the act fee against the state's current schedule.
Worked example
A signer is quoted the state-capped fee for the act and a separate, agreed travel fee.
What to do
- Check your state's current fee schedule from the commissioning office.
- Separate the notarial fee from travel or service charges.
- Tell the signer the total price before the appointment.
- Record fees in the journal as the state requires.
- Give a receipt if asked.
Common mistakes
- Charging more than the state limit per act can lead to complaints or discipline.
- Not disclosing a travel fee in advance can lead to a dispute at the table.
- Forgetting to record the fee where required leaves the journal incomplete.
Not the same as: Mobile notary
The notarial fee is the state-limited charge for the act, while a mobile notary's travel or service charges are separate and agreed in advance. See Mobile notary.
Go deeper
- NJ Notary Fees: $2.50 Per Act and What Mobile Notaries Add: What a notarization costs in New Jersey: state fee limits ($2.50 per act, $15 and $25 for real estate), what mobile notaries add for travel, and how to get a price.
- Pricing a Mobile Notary Service: A Practical Framework: How mobile notaries build a pricing model: separating the notarial fee from travel, time and after-hours work, checking state fee limits and quoting clearly.
Try it
Related terms
- Notary bond: A surety bond some states require a notary to hold to protect the public from misconduct.
- Notary journal: A bound or electronic record of each notarial act the notary performs.
- Notarial certificate: The part of a document where the notary states what act was performed, when, where and for whom.
Common questions
What is a notarial fee?
The amount a notary may charge for a notarial act, set by state law.
Can you give an example of notarial fee?
A signer is quoted the state-capped fee for the act and a separate, agreed travel fee.
Why is the travel fee more than the notary fee?
The notary fee covers the act and is limited by law. Travel time and costs are separate services.
Can a notary waive the fee?
Many states allow notaries to charge less or nothing. Check your state's rules.
General information, not legal advice. Rules vary by state and change; check with your state's commissioning office.