Notary Fees and Compensation Flashcards

Does Massachusetts law set a maximum fee that a notary public may charge per notarial act?

Answer: No, Massachusetts does not cap notary fees by statute

Massachusetts does not impose a statutory maximum fee for notarial acts, leaving fee-setting to the notary's discretion or employer policy.

Can a Massachusetts notary charge a travel fee in addition to a per-act fee?

Answer: Yes, a reasonable travel fee may be charged if agreed upon in advance

A notary may charge a reasonable travel fee when traveling to a signer's location, provided the fee is disclosed and agreed upon before services are rendered.

Can a Massachusetts notary waive their fee entirely?

Answer: Yes, a notary may freely waive all fees

A notary is not required to charge any fee and may choose to perform notarial acts at no charge, particularly as a courtesy or employee benefit.

If a Massachusetts notary's employer pays their commissioning costs, can the employer set the notary's fees?

Answer: Yes, an employer may set fee policies for notarizations performed during employment

An employer who pays for a notary's commission may set workplace policies about fees, including requiring free notarizations for customers or clients.

Should a Massachusetts notary disclose their fee before performing a notarial act?

Answer: Yes, fees should be disclosed to the signer before the act is performed

Best practice and consumer fairness require that the notary disclose any fees before performing the notarial act so the signer can make an informed decision.

May a Massachusetts notary charge a fee for a notarization they ultimately refuse to perform?

Answer: No, a fee may not be charged for a service not rendered

If a notary refuses to perform the notarial act, they should not charge a notarization fee since no service was completed, though a pre-agreed travel fee may still apply.