Maximum Notary Fees Flashcards

What is a potential consequence for a Georgia notary who repeatedly overcharges for notarial acts?

Answer: Commission revocation and possible criminal charges

Willful misconduct including overcharging can result in commission revocation and potential criminal liability under Georgia law.

A client brings 10 documents requiring 10 separate notarial acts in one sitting. The maximum total the notary may charge is:

Answer: $20

Each notarial act may be charged up to $2, so 10 acts allow a maximum of $20.

Georgia notary fee law applies to:

Answer: All commissioned Georgia notaries regardless of employer or setting

Georgia's notary fee limits apply to all commissioned notaries, whether privately employed, working for government, or volunteering.

A Georgia notary charges $2 for notarizing a power of attorney signature. The signer later demands a refund, claiming the fee was excessive. Which is TRUE?

Answer: The notary is entitled to keep the $2 because it is at the lawful maximum

A $2 charge is within the lawful maximum, so the notary has charged a permissible fee and is not required to refund it.

May a Georgia notary perform notarizations for free at a community legal aid event?

Answer: Yes, notaries may waive their fee entirely at their discretion

Georgia law sets a maximum fee but does not require notaries to collect any fee—pro bono notarizations are fully permissible.

A Georgia notary's employer instructs them to charge $5 per notarial act to help cover office overhead. The notary should:

Answer: Refuse to exceed the $2 statutory maximum regardless of employer instructions

Employer instructions cannot override Georgia's statutory fee cap; the notary's legal duty is to comply with state law.

Which of the following is NOT a permissible way for a Georgia notary to handle fees?

Answer: Charge $3 for administering an oath

Charging $3 for any single notarial act exceeds Georgia's $2 maximum and is prohibited by law.