Fee Schedule and Compensation Flashcards

What is the maximum fee a South Dakota notary public may charge per notarial act under SDCL 18-1-4?

Answer: $10

South Dakota law (SDCL 18-1-4) sets the maximum notary fee at $10 per notarial act.

A South Dakota notary charges $8 for each acknowledgment. Is this permissible?

Answer: Yes, because it is below the $10 statutory maximum

Notaries may charge any amount up to the $10 statutory maximum, so $8 is fully permissible.

Under South Dakota law, may a notary public choose to perform notarial acts without charging any fee?

Answer: Yes, a notary may waive the fee entirely at their discretion

The statutory fee is a maximum, not a mandatory charge; notaries may waive or reduce fees at their discretion.

If a notary performs three separate notarial acts on the same document signing appointment, what is the maximum total fee the notary may collect?

Answer: $30, because the $10 fee applies per act

The $10 cap applies per individual notarial act, so three acts may yield a maximum of $30.

Which of the following is NOT an acceptable practice regarding notary fees in South Dakota?

Answer: Charging $12 because the signer requested expedited service

Charging $12 exceeds the $10 statutory maximum and is prohibited regardless of the reason.

A South Dakota notary travels 20 miles to notarize a document at a signer's home. How should travel expenses be handled?

Answer: The notary may charge separately for travel if the signer agrees in advance

Notaries may negotiate and collect a separate travel fee with the signer's prior agreement, in addition to the notarial fee.

An employer requires a notary employee to notarize documents for company clients at no charge. Under South Dakota law, this arrangement is:

Answer: Permissible because the employer may direct the notary's fee practices for company business

An employer may legitimately direct a notary employee to perform notarizations without charging customers as a condition of employment.