DC Notary DC Notary Fees and Charges 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A DC notary is employed by a company that wants to offer free notarizations to its customers. Is this arrangement permissible?
- No, DC law requires notaries to always charge the statutory fee
- Yes, an employer may require their employee notary to notarize without charge as a condition of employment (Correct answer)
- Only if DCRA grants a fee waiver
- Only for non-profit organizations
Correct answer: Yes, an employer may require their employee notary to notarize without charge as a condition of employment
An employer may require an employee notary to perform notarizations at no charge during work hours as a lawful condition of employment under DC law.
Question 2: May a DC employer instruct an employee notary to charge fees beyond the DC statutory maximum for commercial clients?
- Yes, commercial clients may be charged higher fees by employer policy
- No, the statutory maximum applies to all notarizations regardless of employer instructions (Correct answer)
- Yes, if the employer has a surcharge agreement with clients
- Only for notarizations exceeding five acts per appointment
Correct answer: No, the statutory maximum applies to all notarizations regardless of employer instructions
The DC statutory fee maximum applies to all notarial acts regardless of the employer's internal fee policies.
Question 3: May a DC notary charge different fee amounts to different clients for the same type of notarial act?
- Yes, as long as no fee exceeds the statutory maximum (Correct answer)
- No, fees must be identical for all clients
- Yes, higher fees are required for commercial transactions
- No, DCRA sets a fixed fee for each act type
Correct answer: Yes, as long as no fee exceeds the statutory maximum
A notary may charge varying amounts to different clients as long as no single fee exceeds the statutory maximum established by DC law.
Question 4: Which DC government office oversees notary public commissions and fee compliance?
- DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) (Correct answer)
- DC Office of the Attorney General
- U.S. Department of State
- DC Recorder of Deeds
Correct answer: DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA)
The DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) is responsible for notary public commissions and compliance oversight, including fee-related violations.
Question 5: If a signer refuses to pay the notary fee after a completed DC notarization, what is the correct course of action for the notary?
- Withhold the notarized document until the fee is paid
- Remove the notary seal from the document
- Pursue the unpaid fee through civil means; the notarization remains valid (Correct answer)
- Report the signer to DCRA for fee evasion
Correct answer: Pursue the unpaid fee through civil means; the notarization remains valid
Once a notarial act is performed, it is valid regardless of fee payment; the notary cannot withhold the document and must pursue unpaid fees through civil channels.
Question 6: When should a DC notary inform a signer of the fee for a notarial act?
- After the notarial act is completed and the certificate is signed
- Before the notarial act is performed (Correct answer)
- Only if the signer asks about fees
- Only when the fee exceeds the statutory maximum
Correct answer: Before the notarial act is performed
Fees should be disclosed before the notarial act is performed so the signer can make an informed decision about proceeding.
DC Notary DC Notary Fees and Charges 2
A DC notary is employed by a company that wants to offer free notarizations to its customers.
Is this arrangement permissible?