Free AZ-Notary Schedule of Maximum Allowable Fees Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum fee an Arizona notary public may charge for a single notarial act?
- $5
- $15
- $10 (Correct answer)
- A 'reasonable' amount determined by the notary
Correct answer: $10
Arizona Revised Statutes § 41-316 sets the maximum fee a notary can charge at $10 per notarial act. This fee is for the act of notarization itself and does not include other potential charges like travel fees, which must be agreed upon separately. Charging more than the statutory maximum is grounds for disciplinary action.
Question 2: A notary is asked to notarize a document that has two signers, and each requires a separate acknowledgment. What is the maximum fee the notary can charge?
- $10, because it is a single document
- $20, because there are two separate notarial acts (Correct answer)
- $15, as a multi-signature discount
- Any amount, as fees are not regulated for multiple signers
Correct answer: $20, because there are two separate notarial acts
The maximum fee is calculated per notarial act, not per document or per signature within a single certificate. Since there are two separate acknowledgments for two different signers, this constitutes two distinct notarial acts. Therefore, the notary can charge up to $10 for each act, for a total of $20.
Question 3: Under what condition can a notary charge a fee for traveling to perform a notarization?
- Only if the travel distance is more than 20 miles
- Travel fees are prohibited for notaries in Arizona
- The notary must have the signer agree to the travel fee before the travel occurs (Correct answer)
- The travel fee cannot exceed the fee for the notarial act itself
Correct answer: The notary must have the signer agree to the travel fee before the travel occurs
A notary may charge a travel fee, but it is not considered part of the notarial act fee. The notary must disclose this fee separately and obtain the signer's agreement to the fee in advance. The travel fee must also be recorded separately from the notarization fee in the journal.
Question 4: Before performing a notarization for a fee, a notary must:
- Post a sign with their fee schedule in their vehicle
- Get approval from the Secretary of State for their fee schedule
- Require the signer to pay in cash only
- Disclose the fee to the signer and get their consent (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Disclose the fee to the signer and get their consent
Transparency is a key principle in charging notarial fees. A notary must inform the signer of the fees for the notarial act before performing it. This ensures the signer is aware of the cost upfront and can agree to it before the service is rendered.
Question 5: For which of the following documents is an Arizona notary prohibited from charging a fee?
- A last will and testament
- An application for a United States military service benefit (Correct answer)
- A vehicle title transfer
- A durable power of attorney
Correct answer: An application for a United States military service benefit
Arizona law explicitly prohibits a notary from charging a fee for notarizing the signature on an application or claim for a pension, allotment, or other benefit from the United States military services. This is a specific statutory exception designed to assist veterans and service members. Fees for all other documents listed are permissible up to the state maximum.
Question 6: If a notary performs a notarial act but waives the fee, what amount should be recorded in the journal entry?
- The maximum allowable fee of $10
- The fee column should be left blank
- 'No Fee' or '$0' (Correct answer)
- The notary's 'usual and customary' fee
Correct answer: 'No Fee' or '$0'
The notary's journal must account for the fee for every transaction. If the notary chooses not to charge a fee for their service, they should indicate this in the journal by writing 'No Fee,' '$0,' or a similar notation. This creates a complete and accurate record of the transaction.
Free AZ-Notary Schedule of Maximum Allowable Fees Questions and Answers 1
What is the maximum fee an Arizona notary public may charge for a single notarial act?