Notary Fees and Compensation Flashcards

An Alabama notary performs three separate notarial acts on the same document. How much may they charge?

Answer: Up to $5 per act, so up to $15 total

Each notarial act is a separate chargeable event, so the notary may charge up to $5 for each act performed.

What should an Alabama notary do if a client disputes the fee they were charged?

Answer: Review the fee schedule and refund any amount exceeding the $5 statutory cap

If the notary charged more than the statutory cap, they must refund the excess amount to comply with Alabama law.

Is an Alabama notary required to post their fee schedule?

Answer: Alabama law does not require posting a fee schedule but it is good practice

Alabama has no statutory requirement to post a fee schedule, but transparency about fees is considered best practice.

Under Alabama law, an unlawful overcharge by a notary may result in:

Answer: Disciplinary action including revocation of the notary commission

Overcharging can be grounds for disciplinary action against the notary, potentially including revocation of their commission.

A mobile Alabama notary charges $5 for the notarial act and $30 for travel. The client agreed to the travel fee beforehand. Is this lawful?

Answer: Yes, because the travel fee was disclosed and agreed to in advance

As long as the travel fee is disclosed and agreed upon before travel, Alabama notaries may charge it separately from the statutory notarial fee.

An Alabama notary performs a notarial act but the signer refuses to pay the fee. The notary should:

Answer: Pursue the fee through civil means if desired; the notarial act itself is already complete and valid

Once a notarial act is completed, it is valid; the notary may seek unpaid fees through civil channels but may not void or withhold the document.