MT Notary Fees and Compensation 3

Question 1

A Montana notary charges $5 for an acknowledgment and $5 for a jurat performed for the same signer in the same sitting. Is this permissible?

Accepted Answer

Yes, because each is a separate and distinct notarial act

Answer

No, only one fee may be charged per appointment

Answer

No, the combined fee cannot exceed $5 total per signer

Answer

Yes, but only if both acts appear on the same document

Question 2

A Montana notary notarizes a document for a nonprofit organization and wants to waive the fee. Must the notary record the waived fee anywhere?

Accepted Answer

No statutory requirement exists to record a fee waiver, though journal entries should note the transaction

Answer

Yes, the waiver must be reported to the Secretary of State within 30 days

Answer

Yes, the notary must obtain a signed receipt acknowledging the waiver

Answer

No record is needed, and the act itself need not be journalized

Question 3

A signer claims a Montana notary overcharged them $3 above the statutory limit. Which agency would the signer most likely contact to file a complaint?

Accepted Answer

The Montana Secretary of State's office

Answer

The Montana Department of Revenue

Answer

The Montana Bar Association

Answer

The Federal Trade Commission

Question 4

If a Montana notary charges a fee for performing an oath or affirmation, which amount is within the legal limit?

Accepted Answer

$5

Answer

$10

Answer

$1

Answer

$0 — oaths must always be free

Question 5

A Montana notary doubles as a legal document preparation service. Can the notary bundle notarial fees with document preparation fees?

Accepted Answer

Only if the notarial fee is clearly itemized separately from preparation fees

Answer

Yes, all charges may be combined into a single flat rate

Answer

No, providing any document preparation service is prohibited for notaries

Answer

Yes, but only for documents involving real property

Question 6

A signer requests that a Montana notary perform an act but demands the notary accept barter (e.g., goods) instead of money. Is the notary permitted to accept this arrangement?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the notary may accept non-monetary compensation as long as the equivalent value does not exceed $5

Answer

No, only U.S. currency is an acceptable form of payment

Answer

Yes, barter of any value is permitted with no limitation

Answer

No, all compensation is prohibited; notaries must work for free

Question 7

A Montana notary performs ten notarial acts in one day. All are for separate clients. What is the maximum total amount the notary may legally collect in fees for that day?

Accepted Answer

$50

Answer

$5

Answer

$100

Answer

$25