How Much Does a Notary Cost — and Do You Actually Need One?
State law caps notary fees at $2–$15 per signature in most states. Banks, libraries, and credit unions often do it free. And for many documents, you don't need one at all.
"I need to get a document notarized. The UPS store quoted me $40. Is that normal? I thought it was supposed to be cheap. Are there free options? And do I even need a notary for this?"
One of the most searched notary questions online — asked constantly across personal finance and legal forums. Most people dramatically overpay or skip free options they didn't know existed.
View discussions on RedditNot legal advice. This article is for informational purposes only. Fee caps cited below link to official state statutes (.gov). Notarization requirements vary by document type and state — verify your specific requirements before signing.
Here's what most people don't know: in the majority of states, notary fees are capped by law — typically $2–$15 per signature. The $40 quote from a UPS Store or mobile notary usually includes a travel fee or convenience charge stacked on top of the actual notary fee, which is much lower.
And in many cases, you can get your document notarized for free — at your bank, your credit union, or your public library. The trick is knowing where to ask and what to bring.
What Notaries Actually Charge — and What the Law Allows
Every state sets a maximum fee a notary can charge per notarial act. Some states set no cap at all. Here's how the major states stack up:
| State | Max Fee per Signature | Official Source |
|---|---|---|
| California | $15 | Gov't Code § 8211 |
| Texas | $6 | Gov't Code § 406.024 |
| Florida | $10 | F.S. § 117.05 |
| New York | $2 | Executive Law § 137 |
| Illinois | $1 | 5 ILCS 312/3-104 |
| Pennsylvania | No cap | Market rate |
| Colorado | $5 | C.R.S. § 24-21-519 |
| Washington | $10 | RCW 42.45.090 |
If your document has 4 places to notarize, the notary can charge the cap fee up to 4 times. A power of attorney requiring 2 notarized signatures in California could legally cost up to $30. Ask ahead how many notarial acts your document requires.
Notary Fee Lookup by State
Notary Fee Calculator
Find the maximum notary fee a notary can legally charge in your state.
Where to Get Something Notarized for Free
Before paying anything, check these options — most people have at least one available to them within a few miles:
A notary's job is to witness you signing. If you've already signed the document, most notaries cannot notarize it — the signature needs to happen in front of them with valid photo ID present. Show up with the document blank on the signature lines and a current government-issued ID.
Remote Online Notarization — $25 From Your Phone
If you can't get to a notary in person, remote online notarization (RON) lets you complete the entire process over a video call — typically in under 15 minutes.
- Cost: Usually $25 per session, covering multiple signatures in one sitting
- How it works: You connect via video with a commissioned online notary, verify your identity with a government-issued ID, and sign digitally while they witness
- Availability: Over 40 states have enacted RON legislation as of 2026. Documents notarized online are legally valid in most states for most document types
- Best for: Real estate closings, power of attorney, loan documents, affidavits — situations where travel is inconvenient or the other party is in a different location
A handful of states have not yet enacted RON legislation or have significant restrictions. If your document requires recording with a county recorder (real estate deeds, liens), verify that your county accepts electronically notarized documents before using a RON service. For most personal legal documents — POA, affidavits, consent forms — RON is widely accepted.
Get Any Document Notarized Online in Minutes
Proof connects you with a commissioned online notary via secure video call. $25 per session, legally valid in 40+ states, available 24/7. No appointment, no travel, no waiting rooms.
Notarize Online with Proof →When You Actually Don't Need a Notary
Many people pay for notarization on documents that don't legally require it. Here's what actually needs a notary versus what doesn't:
- ✓ Real estate deeds and transfers
- ✓ Mortgage documents
- ✓ Power of attorney (most states)
- ✓ Vehicle title transfers (many states)
- ✓ Affidavits filed with courts
- ✓ Sworn statements
- — Most wills (witnesses required, not notary)
- — Standard contracts between private parties
- — Medical consent forms
- — School enrollment documents
- — Most employment agreements
- — Letters and personal statements
Before paying for notarization, call whoever is receiving the document — the bank, the court, the DMV, the government agency — and ask if notarization is actually required. Many documents request notarization as a formality when it isn't legally mandated. Save yourself the trip and the fee if it isn't necessary.
When a Mobile Notary Makes Sense
A mobile notary travels to your location — home, hospital, office, or detention facility. They charge the state-capped per-signature fee plus a travel fee, typically $25–$75 depending on distance and time of day.
Mobile notaries make sense when:
- The signer is hospitalized, homebound, or in a care facility
- You're closing a real estate transaction and need a notary at a specific location
- Multiple people need to sign in the same location at the same time
- The document is time-sensitive and you can't get to an office
For a standard single-document notarization where you're mobile and healthy, free in-person options or a $25 RON session almost always cost less.
Find Exact Notary Fee Caps for Every State
Our Notary Fees by State page lists the statutory maximum fee, RON availability, and official state notary commission contacts for all 50 states.
Browse Notary Fees by State →Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a notary charge per signature?
Where can I get something notarized for free?
What is remote online notarization and how much does it cost?
Do I need a notary for a will or power of attorney?
Can a notary refuse to notarize a document?
Sources & References
- California Government Code § 8211 (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) — $15 maximum notary fee per signature
- Texas Government Code § 406.024 (statutes.capitol.texas.gov) — $6 maximum notary fee per acknowledgment
- Florida Statute § 117.05 (flsenate.gov) — $10 maximum notary fee
- New York Executive Law § 137 (nysenate.gov) — $2 maximum notary fee
- Washington RCW 42.45.090 (leg.wa.gov) — $10 maximum notary fee and RON authorization
- California Secretary of State — Notary Fees (sos.ca.gov) — official notary fee schedule
- Texas Secretary of State — Notary Fee Schedule (sos.state.tx.us) — official Texas notary fees
- USA.gov — Notary Services — federal overview of notary requirements and finding services
Not sure if you even need a notary?
Many documents don't require one. Our state-by-state guide shows exact fee caps and which documents legally require notarization vs. just a witness signature.