SC Notary - South Carolina Notary Allowable Notary Fees Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to South Carolina law, what is the maximum fee a notary public may charge for performing a single signature witnessing?
- $10.00
- $5.00 (Correct answer)
- $2.50
- A reasonable fee agreed upon with the signer
Correct answer: $5.00
South Carolina Code of Laws §26-1-100(A) explicitly states that the maximum fee for a signature witnessing is five dollars per signature. Notaries cannot charge more than this amount for the specified notarial act.
Question 2: A client presents a document to a South Carolina notary that requires the notarization of three separate signatures, each requiring a jurat. The notary and client have not discussed any other charges. What is the maximum total fee the notary can charge for these notarial acts?
- $5.00
- $10.00
- $15.00 (Correct answer)
- $25.00
Correct answer: $15.00
The maximum allowable fee for a jurat in South Carolina is $5.00 per signature. Since there are three signatures, the notary can charge a maximum of $5.00 for each, resulting in a total of $15.00 (3 signatures x $5.00/signature).
Question 3: A South Carolina notary agrees to travel to a client's office to perform a notarization. Which of the following conditions MUST be met for the notary to legally charge a travel fee?
- The travel fee must be based on the current federal mileage rate.
- The travel fee cannot be more than the fee for the notarial act itself.
- The notary must get approval from the Secretary of State's office.
- The notary and client must agree on the travel fee in advance of the travel. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The notary and client must agree on the travel fee in advance of the travel.
S.C. Code of Laws §26-1-100(C) permits a notary to charge a travel fee only if the notary and the person requesting the act agree upon the fee in advance, and the notary explains that the travel fee is separate from the notarial fee and not mandated by law.
Question 4: A notary public in South Carolina decides to charge for their services. What is a specific requirement mandated by law regarding these fees?
- The notary must report all fees collected annually to the Secretary of State.
- The notary must conspicuously display an English-language schedule of fees. (Correct answer)
- The notary must offer a discount for state and federal government documents.
- The notary must charge the same fee to every individual for the same service.
Correct answer: The notary must conspicuously display an English-language schedule of fees.
South Carolina Code of Laws §26-1-100(B) requires that a notary who charges for notarial services must either conspicuously display a fee schedule in their place of business or present it to the client if outside their place of business.
Question 5: A notary is asked to administer an oath to two witnesses simultaneously for a court proceeding. Neither witness is signing a document. What is the maximum fee the notary can charge for this service?
- $5.00
- $10.00 (Correct answer)
- $15.00
- $2.50
Correct answer: $10.00
The law allows a fee of up to $5.00 per person for administering an oath or affirmation without a signature. Since there are two witnesses, the maximum fee is $10.00 (2 people x $5.00/person).
Question 6: Which of the following is NOT a fee that a South Carolina notary is explicitly authorized by statute to charge?
- A $5.00 fee for taking an acknowledgment.
- An administrative fee for recording the notarization in a journal. (Correct answer)
- A $5.00 fee for administering an oath to a single person.
- A pre-agreed travel fee to meet a client.
Correct answer: An administrative fee for recording the notarization in a journal.
South Carolina law specifies maximum fees for notarial acts (like acknowledgments and oaths) and allows for separate, pre-agreed travel fees. However, the statute does not authorize charging a separate administrative, clerical, or journal-entry fee in addition to the fee for the notarial act itself.
SC Notary - South Carolina Notary Allowable Notary Fees Questions and Answers
According to South Carolina law, what is the maximum fee a notary public may charge for performing a single signature witnessing?