Notary Travel Fees: A State-by-State Guide
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Mobile notaries who travel to a signer’s location can charge a travel fee on top of the notarization fee in most states. But the rules for how much you can charge, how you must disclose it, and whether the state sets the rate vary significantly.
Every state falls into one of four categories for travel fees: the state sets the rate, the rate is tied to a federal or state mileage rate, the state provides general guidelines, or the state does not regulate travel fees at all.
States That Set Travel Fees
Six jurisdictions set the maximum travel fee by law:
| State | Rule |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $0.35 per mile (depositions only) |
| Idaho | Cannot exceed actual travel expenses |
| Nevada | $15/hr (6am-7pm) or $30/hr (7pm-6am). Minimum 2 hours. Must agree in advance. Must disclose it is separate from notarization fee. Must record in journal. |
| New Hampshire | $0.20 per mile (depositions only) |
| Virginia | Cannot exceed actual travel expenses |
| District of Columbia | Cannot exceed actual travel expenses |
Nevada has the most detailed travel fee statute in the country. The hourly rate changes based on time of day, the minimum charge is 2 hours, and the fee must be recorded in your journal with the date and time travel began and ended. Nevada also permits you to demand payment of the travel fee in advance, and you are entitled to the fee even if the notarization is cancelled after you begin traveling (NRS 240.100).
States That Use Federal or State Mileage Rates
Nine states tie the travel fee to a mileage rate set by a federal or state agency. These rates change periodically, so check the current rate before quoting a travel fee.
| State | Rate Basis |
|---|---|
| Arizona | State mileage rate (check GAO fee schedule) |
| Indiana | Federal GSA mileage rate |
| Maryland | IRS mileage rate + $5 |
| Montana | IRS mileage rate. Must inform customer in advance. |
| Nebraska | State mileage rate (notices of protest only; currently $0.51/mi) |
| North Carolina | Federal mileage rate. Customer must agree in writing before travel. |
| Rhode Island | IRS mileage rate |
| Utah | Federal mileage rate. Must inform customer in advance. |
| Wyoming | IRS mileage rate. Must inform customer in advance. |
The IRS standard mileage rates for 2026 are 72.5 cents per mile for January through June and 76 cents for July through December. Notaries in these states should verify the current rate before quoting fees to clients.
States With General Guidelines
Fourteen states do not set a specific dollar amount but issue guidelines for travel fees. The fee must be agreed upon with the signer in advance (with limited exceptions), and most of these states require you to disclose that the travel fee is separate from the notarization fee and not required by law.
States in this category: Arkansas, California, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Washington.
A few stand out:
- California does not require advance agreement but says travel fees must not be lumped in with notarial service fees. Note them in the “additional information” section of your journal.
- Pennsylvania permits “customary and reasonable” clerical or administrative fees, including travel. Tell the customer upfront and note the fee separately in your journal.
- Minnesota has warned that notaries who charge travel fees for real estate closings may need a real estate closing license.
States With No Travel Fee Regulation
The following 22 states do not regulate notary travel fees. Notaries in these states set their own rates. Many of these states recommend keeping fees “reasonable.”
Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Even in unregulated states, disclose the fee before traveling and keep it separate from notarization fees in your records.
Best Practices Regardless of Your State
- Tell the signer the travel fee before you leave. Even if your state does not require disclosure, it prevents disputes later.
- Do not combine travel fees with notarization fees. The notarization fee is set by state statute; the travel fee is a separate business charge.
- Record the travel fee in your journal, noted separately, so there is a paper trail of what you charged and why.
- Decide on a cancellation policy and explain it upfront: does the signer owe the travel fee if the notarization cannot be completed? Many mobile notaries charge it regardless.
- Consider collecting the travel fee in advance. It protects against no-shows. Nevada explicitly permits this by statute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a notary charge a travel fee?
Yes, in all 50 states and DC. However, the rules differ: some states set the maximum rate, some tie it to federal mileage rates, some provide guidelines, and others let notaries set their own rates.
Is a travel fee the same as a notarization fee?
No. A notarization fee is the statutory fee for performing the notarial act. A travel fee is a separate charge for the notary’s time and expenses to travel to the signer’s location. Keep them separate in your records and your quotes to clients.
Do I have to tell the signer about the travel fee in advance?
In most states, yes. Even in states that do not explicitly require advance disclosure, it is a professional best practice. A few states (North Carolina, for example) require written agreement before travel begins.
Can I charge a travel fee if the notarization does not happen?
This depends on your agreement with the signer. If you disclosed in advance that the travel fee applies regardless of whether the notarization is completed, you can charge it. Nevada’s statute explicitly entitles notaries to the travel fee even if the signing is cancelled after travel begins.
What is the IRS mileage rate for 2026?
$0.70 per mile for business travel. Notaries in states that tie travel fees to the IRS rate (Indiana, Maryland, Montana, Rhode Island, Wyoming) should use this figure unless a newer rate has been published.
NotaryTrainingSchool.com covers mobile notary business practices including travel fee policies, pricing strategies, and client communication in its training courses.
