How much does a notary cost?
How much does a notary cost?
$1 – $15 average notary cost
Average cost of a notary
Notary prices range from $1 to $15, depending on your location and needs. Most states have set fees for notary services. Using services at locations such as a bank or a UPS notary costs the same as any other notary public in your area, but some public libraries and credit unions provide free notary services for their members.
| State | Acknowledgements | Jurat | Verbal oath/ affirmation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Alaska | No set fee | No set fee | No set fee |
| Arizona | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| Arkansas | No set fee (signer must agree in advance) |
No set fee (signer must agree in advance) |
No set fee (signer must agree in advance) |
| California | $15 | $15 | $15 |
| Colorado | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Connecticut | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Delaware | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| D.C. | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Florida | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| Georgia | $2 | $2 | $2 |
| Hawaii | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Idaho | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Illinois | $1 | $1 | $1 |
| Indiana | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| Iowa | No set fee | No set fee | No set fee |
| Kansas | No set fee | No set fee | No set fee |
| Kentucky | No set fee | No set fee | No set fee |
| Louisiana | No set fee | No set fee | No set fee |
| Maine | No set fee | No set fee | No set fee |
| Maryland | $4 | $4 | $4 |
| Massachusetts | No set fee | No set fee | No set fee |
| Michigan | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| Minnesota | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Mississippi | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Missouri | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Montana | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| Nebraska | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Nevada | $15 | $15 | $7.50 |
| New Hampshire | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| New Jersey | $2.50 – $15.00 | $2.50 – $15.00 | $2.50 – $15.00 |
| New Mexico | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| New York | $2 | $2 | $2 |
| North Carolina | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| North Dakota | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Ohio | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Oklahoma | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Oregon | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| Pennsylvania | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Rhode Island | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| South Carolina | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| South Dakota | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| Tennessee | No set fee | No set fee | No set fee |
| Texas | $6 | $6 | $6 |
| Utah | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| Vermont | No set fee | No set fee | No set fee |
| Virginia | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Washington | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| West Virginia | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| Wisconsin | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Wyoming | $10 | $10 | $10 |
Acknowledgement: A notary acknowledgement simply verifies that the signer is the person signing a document and that they signed voluntarily. This is commonly used for documents like deeds, power of attorney, or contracts.
Jurat: A jurat is more complex. It certifies that a person voluntarily signed or made an oath in the notary's presence and that they swear that everything they signed is true or accurate.
Verbal oath: A verbal oath or affirmation is confirmation of the truthfulness of a document or statement. Oaths are a pledge to a god or supreme being, while affirmations are pledges on a person's honor and do not include any references to a higher power.
What is a notary?
A notary, or notary public, is a neutral third party who authenticates and legitimizes important legal documents like contracts, divorce papers, or real estate deeds. State governments appoint notaries and give them their authority.
Other notary fees by state
Some states set additional notary prices for travel or online notary services. Use the following table to determine whether your state has guidelines for mobile notaries or remote fees:
| State | Travel fee | Remote notary fee |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Not set | $10 |
| Connecticut | $0.35 per mile | Not set |
| Florida | Not set | $25 |
| Hawaii | Not set | $25 |
| Idaho | $5 | Not set |
| Indiana | Not set | $25 |
| Maryland | $5 | $4 |
| Michigan | Not set | $10 |
| Minnesota | Not set | $25 |
| Missouri | Not set | $5 |
| Montana | Not set | $10 per signature |
| Nebraska | Not set | $25 |
| Nevada | $15 – $30 per hour | $25 |
| New Hampshire | $0.20 per mile | $25 |
| New Mexico | $0.30 per mile | $25 |
| North Carolina | Prohibited | Not set |
| North Dakota | Not set | $5 |
| Ohio | Not set | $25 |
| Oklahoma | Not set | $25 |
| Oregon | Not set | $25 |
| Rhode Island | Not set | $5 |
| South Dakota | Not set | $10 |
| Tennessee | Not set | $25 |
| Texas | Not set | $25 + notary fee |
| Utah | Not set | $25 |
| Virginia | Not set | $25 |
| Washington | Not set | $25 |
| Wisconsin | Not set | $25 |
| Wyoming | Not set | $5 |
Notary cost factors
These factors affect the overall cost of a notary public:
Location: Some states have higher fees than others or no set fee at all. States like California have higher rates than others like Illinois.
In-person vs. remote: Some states allow you to notarize documents online. This typically costs more than in-person services.
Service type: The cost of notary services is usually the same for jurats, acknowledgements, and verbal oaths, but sometimes verbal oaths cost slightly less.
Corrections: Be careful to complete all paperwork carefully and accurately. Any mistakes can result in delays and redoing paperwork.
If you're signing a deed or financial document, chances are the bank or title office already has a trusted notary public on hand.
Additional costs
In addition to state-regulated fees or travel costs, notaries may also charge for extra services like making photocopies. However, most states require notaries to provide you with documentation if they charge any extra fees. Some examples of this documentation include a receipt, a posted price list, or a business card with their rates clearly written on it.
Notary service FAQs
Where can I find a notary?
You can usually find a local notary at a:
UPS store
Bank
Credit union
Library
County clerk's office
Title company
Tax prep firm
Real estate firm
Insurance company
Law office
Some notaries offer mobile services and will come to your home, office, or other chosen location.
What does a notary do?
A notary is a person appointed by a state government who has several responsibilities, including:
Verify identity: They will ask for a photo ID such as a driver's license or passport to confirm your identity.
Confirm willingness: Notaries make sure the signer is aware of the contents of the document and is signing it voluntarily.
Administer oaths: Notaries may administer oaths or affirmations during a court proceeding or while swearing officials into office.
Maintain records: They also keep records of their actions as required by the state.
Take depositions and affidavits: They may also record depositions or legal affidavits, usually if they have a related specialty.
Affix stamps or seals: Notaries authenticate their completion of tasks by including their signature and stamp or seal to the document after you sign it.
Where can I get a notary for free?
Many libraries, government offices, universities, credit unions, and community centers offer free notary services. You can often get free or discounted notary services if you're in the process of signing documents through a bank, title company, or other business.
Before going into your chosen location, make sure they can notarize your specific type of document. Some notary services at places like public libraries are limited.
Choosing a notary public
When choosing a notary, follow these steps:
Look around to get a feel for local notary prices.
Read reviews on Lawful and Google.
Choose a notary public with experience and a good reputation.
Get written documentation for any extra charges beyond the notary fee.
Questions to ask notaries
Ask the following questions when looking for a reliable notary public:
What qualifications or experience do you have?
Will I need a jurat, acknowledgement, or verbal oath?
What are your rates?
Do you offer any free services?
Do you charge any travel fees?
How long do you think this will take?
Can we do this remotely? Does that cost extra?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.