How Much Does a Notary Cost?

Notary fees in the United States are regulated differently in each state, but you can generally expect to pay anywhere from $2 to $25 per signature for standard notarization. Understanding what drives notary costs helps you find the right service at the right price.

Standard Per-Signature Notary Fees

Most states set a maximum fee that notaries can charge per notarial act — typically between $2 and $15 per signature. California caps fees at $15 per signature, Texas at $6 per acknowledgment, and Florida at $10. Some states like Illinois set their maximum as low as $1 per signature. These caps apply to the notarization itself; mobile notaries are generally permitted to charge additional travel fees on top.

Mobile Notary Travel Fees

When a notary travels to your location, they typically add a travel fee separate from the notarization fee itself. This fee commonly ranges from $25 to $75 for local trips, though it can be higher for longer distances or after-hours appointments. Mobile notaries offer the convenience of coming to your home, office, hospital, or any agreed location — the travel fee is the premium for that convenience.

Loan Signing Agent Fees

Loan signing agents — notaries who specialize in mortgage and real estate closing documents — typically charge a flat package fee rather than a per-signature rate. These fees generally range from $75 to $200 per appointment, depending on your location and the complexity of the transaction. This higher fee reflects the specialized knowledge required and the additional time involved in walking through a complete mortgage closing package, which can run 100–200 pages.

Free Notary Services

You may be able to get documents notarized for free in several places:

• Your bank or credit union — many financial institutions offer free notary services to account holders
• UPS Store locations — most have a notary on staff, often with low fees
• Your public library — some branches offer free or low-cost notary services
• Your employer — large companies and law firms often have notaries on staff
• AAA — members may access free notary services at AAA offices

Tips for Keeping Notary Costs Down

• Call ahead to confirm a notary is available and ask about current fees before visiting
• Have all parties who need to sign present at the same appointment to avoid multiple trips
• Check whether your bank offers free notary services to account holders — many do
• For complex documents like loan packages, compare mobile notary rates in your area
• For simple single-document signings, an office notary (bank, UPS Store) is usually more affordable than mobile