CT Notary Notary Fees and Compensation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A Connecticut notary is asked to take acknowledgments from three different signers on the same document. How may the notary charge?
- Up to the maximum statutory fee for each separate notarial act performed (Correct answer)
- Only one fee total, regardless of the number of signers
- Double the statutory fee because multiple signers are involved
- Whatever amount the signers agree to pay
Correct answer: Up to the maximum statutory fee for each separate notarial act performed
Each acknowledgment taken is a separate notarial act, so the notary may charge up to the statutory maximum of $5.00 for each act.
Question 2: Under Connecticut law, what is the maximum fee a notary public may charge for performing a single notarial act?
- $5.00 (Correct answer)
- $10.00
- $2.00
- $15.00
Correct answer: $5.00
Connecticut General Statutes cap the fee for a notarial act at $5.00.
Question 3: A client asks a Connecticut notary to travel to a hospital to notarize a document. What may the notary charge in addition to the notarial act fee?
- A travel fee of thirty-five cents per mile (Correct answer)
- A flat $25 convenience surcharge
- Nothing extra; travel must always be free
- Any hourly rate the notary chooses
Correct answer: A travel fee of thirty-five cents per mile
Connecticut allows notaries to charge thirty-five cents per mile for travel in addition to the per-act fee.
Question 4: Is a Connecticut notary required to charge a fee for performing a notarial act?
- No; charging a fee is optional and the notary may charge less than the maximum or nothing at all (Correct answer)
- Yes; the statutory fee must always be collected
- Yes, but only for acknowledgments
- No, but waiving fees requires written approval from the Secretary of the State
Correct answer: No; charging a fee is optional and the notary may charge less than the maximum or nothing at all
The statute sets a maximum fee only, so a notary may charge any amount up to that cap, including nothing.
Question 5: A Connecticut notary knowingly charges $20 for a single acknowledgment. What is a likely consequence?
- Disciplinary action by the Secretary of the State, which may include revocation of the commission (Correct answer)
- Nothing, because fees are a private contractual matter
- An automatic pay raise in the statutory fee schedule
- A mandatory jail sentence of one year
Correct answer: Disciplinary action by the Secretary of the State, which may include revocation of the commission
Charging more than the statutory maximum is misconduct that can lead to suspension or revocation of the notary's commission.
Question 6: When is the best time for a Connecticut notary to disclose the fee for a notarial act?
- Before performing the notarial act (Correct answer)
- After the act, when presenting the invoice
- Only if the signer specifically asks
- Never; fees should remain confidential
Correct answer: Before performing the notarial act
Disclosing the fee up front avoids disputes and gives the signer the chance to decline the service.
Question 7: A Connecticut notary drives 20 miles round trip to perform one acknowledgment and charges the maximum for both the act and travel. What is the total?
- $12.00 (Correct answer)
- $5.00
- $25.00
- $7.00
Correct answer: $12.00
The maximum is $5.00 for the act plus 20 miles at $0.35 per mile ($7.00), totaling $12.00.
CT Notary Notary Fees and Compensation 2
A Connecticut notary is asked to take acknowledgments from three different signers on the same document.
How may the notary charge?