SD Notary Fee Schedule and Compensation 2

Question 1

A South Dakota notary performs a remote online notarization. Under state law, the maximum fee per remote notarial act is:

Accepted Answer

$10, the same as an in-person act

Answer

$25, reflecting the additional technology costs

Answer

$15, as specified for electronic notarizations

Answer

There is no maximum fee for remote online notarizations

Question 2

Which entity is responsible for enforcing South Dakota's notary fee schedule?

Accepted Answer

The Secretary of State's office

Answer

The South Dakota Bar Association

Answer

The Department of Revenue

Answer

The South Dakota Notary Association

Question 3

A notary in South Dakota charges $10 for an acknowledgment and also adds a $3 'document review fee.' Is the total $13 charge permissible?

Accepted Answer

No, the total charged for any notarization cannot exceed $10

Answer

Yes, if the additional fee is for a non-notarial service

Answer

Yes, notaries may add administrative fees on top of the notarial fee

Answer

No, additional fees require Secretary of State approval

Question 4

A notary charges different fees to different signers for the same notarial act. Under South Dakota law, this is:

Accepted Answer

Permissible as long as no fee exceeds the $10 maximum

Answer

Prohibited as discriminatory

Answer

Permissible only when the difference is based on document complexity

Answer

Prohibited without written justification filed with the Secretary of State

Question 5

A South Dakota notary is asked to perform a certification of a copy of a private document. What is the maximum fee allowed for this service?

Accepted Answer

$10, the standard maximum fee per notarial act

Answer

$5, as copy certifications are a lesser act

Answer

$15, because certifying copies requires additional verification

Answer

Copy certifications are free under South Dakota law

Question 6

If a signer pays a notary $10 for a notarial act and later discovers the act was performed improperly, the notary:

Accepted Answer

Is not required to refund the fee but may face disciplinary action

Answer

Must refund the fee automatically

Answer

Must refund the fee and pay an equal penalty to the Secretary of State

Answer

Is required to refund only half the fee

Question 7

A notary public in South Dakota works for a bank and notarizes documents only for bank customers. The bank pays the notary a salary that includes compensation for notarizations. Is the bank allowed to keep the notary fees instead of giving them to the notary?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the employer and notary may agree that fees belong to the employer

Answer

No, all notary fees must be paid directly to the notary

Answer

Only if the employer reimburses the notary at least $5 per act

Answer

Only if the Secretary of State grants written authorization