Notary Fees and Jurisdiction Flashcards

Who has the authority to set the maximum fees a notary public can charge?

Answer: The state in which the notary is commissioned

Maximum notary fees are set by state law, and no notary may charge more than the state-mandated limit regardless of the transaction's complexity.

What is the geographic area in which a notary is authorized to perform notarial acts?

Answer: Within the entire state in which they are commissioned

A notary's jurisdiction is statewide—they may perform notarial acts anywhere within the borders of their commissioning state.

Can a notary choose to waive their fee for a notarization?

Answer: Yes, notaries may voluntarily waive or reduce their fee

State-mandated fees are maximums, not minimums—a notary may always choose to charge less or nothing at all.

What must a notary do if they relocate to a different state?

Answer: Notify their current state and apply for a new commission in the new state

Moving to another state typically ends or requires resignation of the current commission, and the notary must apply fresh in their new state of residence.

What can happen to a notary who charges more than the state-mandated maximum fee?

Answer: They may face disciplinary action, fines, or commission revocation

Overcharging is a violation of state notary law and can result in formal complaints, fines, and loss of the notary commission.

In most states, notary fees are charged on what basis?

Answer: Per notarial act performed

Fees are charged per notarial act—so a document requiring two signatures notarized would incur two fees.