Notary Fees by State: Maximum Charges for 2026
Published May 19, 2026 · Updated May 21, 2026
Every state regulates how much a notary public can charge for notarizations, and the differences are striking. In New York, the maximum fee is $2 per notarial act. In states with no statutory cap, notaries can charge whatever the market will bear. Whether you are a notary setting your rates or a consumer wondering what you should pay, knowing your state’s fee limits matters. Here is the complete breakdown for all 50 states in 2026.
Notary Fees Explained
Notary fees are the charges a notary public collects for performing official notarial acts: acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, affirmations, and copy certifications. Most states set a maximum fee per notarial act by statute. A few states (like Alaska, Arkansas, and Massachusetts) have no statutory fee cap, allowing notaries to charge “reasonable” fees. Understanding these limits matters for two reasons: notaries who overcharge can face disciplinary action, and consumers who know the limits can avoid being overcharged.
Notary Fees by State (2026)
The table below shows the maximum fee a notary can charge for a standard acknowledgment in each state. Some states set separate fees for jurats, oaths, and other acts; those are noted where applicable. States marked “No set fee” have no statutory maximum, meaning notaries set their own rates.
| State | Max Fee (Acknowledgment) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $10 | Same for jurats and oaths |
| Alaska | No set fee | Notary sets reasonable fee |
| Arizona | $10 | Same for jurats and oaths |
| Arkansas | No set fee | Notary sets reasonable fee |
| California | $15 | Per signature; same for all acts |
| Colorado | $15 | Same for all notarial acts |
| Connecticut | $5 | Paper documents only for RON |
| Delaware | $5 | Standard rate |
| Florida | $10 | Same for all notarial acts |
| Georgia | $5 | Per notarial act |
| Hawaii | $5 | Per notarial act |
| Idaho | $5 | Maximum allowed |
| Illinois | $1 | Per signature; one of the lowest |
| Indiana | $10 | Per notarial act |
| Iowa | No set fee | Notary sets reasonable fee |
| Kansas | $5 | Per notarial act |
| Kentucky | No set fee | Notary sets reasonable fee |
| Louisiana | $10 | Per signature |
| Maine | No set fee | Notary sets reasonable fee |
| Maryland | $6 | Per notarial act |
| Massachusetts | No set fee | Notary sets reasonable fee |
| Michigan | $10 | Per notarial act |
| Minnesota | $5 | Per notarial act |
| Mississippi | $5 | Per notarial act |
| Missouri | $5 | Per notarial act |
| Montana | $10 | Per notarial act |
| Nebraska | $5 | Per notarial act; travel fees also limited |
| Nevada | $15 | Travel fees limited by time of day |
| New Hampshire | $10 | Per notarial act |
| New Jersey | $5 | Per notarial act |
| New Mexico | $5 | Per notarial act |
| New York | $2 | One of the lowest in the nation |
| North Carolina | $10 | Per signature; oaths $5 |
| North Dakota | $5 | Per notarial act |
| Ohio | $5 | Per notarial act |
| Oklahoma | $5 | Per notarial act |
| Oregon | $10 | Per notarial act |
| Pennsylvania | $5 | Per notarial act |
| Rhode Island | $25 | Per notarial act |
| South Carolina | $10 | Per notarial act |
| South Dakota | $10 | Per notarial act |
| Tennessee | $5 | Per notarial act; $10 for online notaries |
| Texas | $10 | First signature; $1 each additional |
| Utah | $10 | Per notarial act |
| Vermont | $5 | Per notarial act |
| Virginia | $5 | Per notarial act; $25 for RON |
| Washington | $10 | Per notarial act |
| West Virginia | $10 | Per notarial act |
| Wisconsin | $10 | Per notarial act |
| Wyoming | $5 | Per notarial act |
States With the Highest Notary Fees
Rhode Island leads the nation with a $25 maximum fee per notarial act. California and Nevada follow at $15 per signature. Colorado also allows $15. For states with no fee cap (Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts), notaries in urban areas typically charge $10–$25 per notarization based on local market rates.
States With the Lowest Notary Fees
New York has one of the lowest statutory fees at just $2 per notarial act. Illinois limits notaries to $1 per signature. At those rates, most notaries in those states rely on volume or offer signing agent services rather than per-signature income. Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and Wyoming all cap fees at $5.
Exceeding Fee Limits
In states with statutory fee caps, no. Charging more than the maximum is a violation that can result in losing your commission. However, many states allow notaries to charge separate travel fees for mobile services, and these travel fees are often unregulated (except in Nebraska and Nevada). This is why mobile notaries can earn significantly more than their per-signature fee alone suggests. A $10 notarization plus a $50 travel fee makes the service much more profitable.
Notary Fees vs Signing Agent Fees
Notary fees and signing agent fees are entirely different things. The fees listed above cover the actual notarization: the official act of witnessing a signature and applying your seal. Signing agent fees ($75–$250 per appointment) compensate you for the entire loan signing process: printing the documents, traveling to the signer, walking them through 100+ pages of loan paperwork, and notarizing the required signatures. The per-signature notary fees are just one small part of what a signing agent earns per appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state has the highest notary fees?
Rhode Island allows up to $25 per notarial act, the highest statutory maximum in the country. California, Colorado, and Nevada follow at $15 each. States with no fee cap (Alaska, Massachusetts, and others) may see higher effective rates in practice.
What state has the lowest notary fees?
Illinois sets the lowest rate at $1 per signature, followed by New York at $2 per notarial act. At these rates, notaries in these states typically focus on signing agent work or mobile services rather than per-signature income.
Can a notary charge a travel fee?
In most states, yes. Travel fees are separate from notary fees and are generally unregulated. Mobile notaries commonly charge $25–$75 for travel on top of the per-signature notary fee. Nebraska and Nevada are exceptions that limit what notaries can charge for travel.
What happens if a notary overcharges?
Overcharging beyond the statutory maximum is a violation of state notary law. Consequences range from a formal warning to suspension or revocation of the notary commission, depending on the state and severity. Notaries who repeatedly overcharge may also face fines.
Are notary fees tax deductible?
For notaries operating as independent businesses, fees collected are reported as business income. The fees you pay to become a notary, purchase supplies, and maintain your commission are generally deductible as business expenses. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
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