KY Notary Notary Fees and Charges 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Can a Kentucky notary charge more than the statutory maximum fee by mutual agreement with the signer?
- Yes, if both parties agree in writing
- No, the statutory maximum cannot be exceeded under any circumstances (Correct answer)
- Yes, for complex commercial documents
- Only if the notary is also an attorney
Correct answer: No, the statutory maximum cannot be exceeded under any circumstances
The Kentucky statutory maximum fee is an absolute cap that cannot be exceeded, even by mutual agreement.
Question 2: If a Kentucky notary is also an attorney, may they charge attorney fees for notarial services?
- Yes, attorney rates apply to all services they provide
- No, the notary fee cap applies when acting as a notary, separate from legal fees (Correct answer)
- Yes, if the client is also paying for legal advice
- Attorney-notaries are exempt from fee limitations
Correct answer: No, the notary fee cap applies when acting as a notary, separate from legal fees
When acting in the capacity of a notary, an attorney is subject to the same notary fee cap as any other notary.
Question 3: May a Kentucky notary charge a fee for each individual page of a multi-page document?
- Yes, one fee per page is standard
- No, the fee is per notarial act, not per page (Correct answer)
- Yes, if the document exceeds ten pages
- Only if the document requires multiple certificates
Correct answer: No, the fee is per notarial act, not per page
In Kentucky, the fee is charged per notarial act, not per page, so a single acknowledgment on a multi-page document counts as one act.
Question 4: What should a Kentucky notary do if a customer refuses to pay the agreed-upon fee?
- Confiscate the document until payment is made
- Void the notarial act and remove their seal
- Seek payment through civil means but cannot alter the completed document (Correct answer)
- Refuse to return the customer's identification
Correct answer: Seek payment through civil means but cannot alter the completed document
A notary who is not paid may pursue civil remedies for the unpaid fee but may not alter, void, or withhold a completed notarial act.
Question 5: Is a Kentucky notary required to post their fee schedule?
- Yes, fees must be posted in their place of business
- No, there is no requirement to post fees in Kentucky (Correct answer)
- Only if they charge the maximum allowable fee
- Yes, but only in electronic form online
Correct answer: No, there is no requirement to post fees in Kentucky
Kentucky law does not require notaries to post a fee schedule, though transparency with customers is best practice.
Question 6: Can a Kentucky notary charge a fee for a notarial act that is ultimately refused because the signer cannot be properly identified?
- No, fees may only be charged for completed notarial acts
- Yes, a fee for time spent may be charged even if the act is refused (Correct answer)
- Only if the notary traveled to reach the signer
- Only if a fee agreement was signed in advance
Correct answer: Yes, a fee for time spent may be charged even if the act is refused
A Kentucky notary may charge for their time even if the notarial act cannot be completed due to identification failure, as long as this was agreed upon in advance.
KY Notary Notary Fees and Charges 2
Can a Kentucky notary charge more than the statutory maximum fee by mutual agreement with the signer?