California regulates notary fees to keep costs consistent across the state. Most notaries charge $10-15 per signature for standard notarizations—acknowledgments and jurats—though rates can vary by provider.
What actually affects your total cost is whether you go to a notary’s office or have them come to you, what type of documents you’re notarizing, and whether you need any additional services like# How Much Does a Notary Cost in California?
Notary costs in California typically range from free (at your bank if you’re a customer) to $90+ for mobile notaries who come to your location. The variation comes from whether you travel to them or they come to you, what type of documents need notarization, and any additional services required.
Here’s what you’ll actually pay for notary services in California and how to find the most affordable options.
California Notary Fee Ranges
Typical notary costs in California:
Bank or credit union: Free for customers
UPS Store or notary office: $10-15 per signature
Mobile notary: $65-90 (includes travel fee)
Online notary: $25 per session
Loan signing agent: $100-200 for full mortgage signing
The base notarization fee is usually $10-15 per signature. What drives up costs are travel fees, specialized services, and timing (after-hours costs more).
What this means in practice:
- One document with one signature: $10-15
- One document requiring two signatures (you and a co-signer): $20-30
- Three separate documents with one signature each: $30-45
Need it done quickly?
What Actually Drives Up the Cost
While the notarization fee is capped at $15, several things can increase your total bill:
Mobile Notary Travel Fees
Mobile notaries come to your location—home, office, hospital, wherever you need them. This convenience costs extra.
Travel fees typically run $20-75 depending on:
- How far the notary drives
- Time of day (evenings and weekends cost more)
- How quickly you need service (same-day requests cost more)
Example costs:
- Notary at a bank: Free-$15 for one signature
- Mobile notary: $10-15 + $50 travel fee = $60-65 total
- Mobile notary on Saturday evening: $10-15 + $75 travel fee = $85-90 total
Loan Signing Services
Real estate loan signings involve 20-40 documents and take 1-2 hours. Loan signing agents typically charge:
$100-200 for the complete signing appointment
This covers their time, expertise in handling mortgage documents, and travel to your location. It’s not just notarization fees—you’re paying for specialized service.
Additional Services
Some notaries charge extra for:
- Photocopying: $0.50-1.00 per page
- Document preparation: $10-50 depending on complexity
- Printing: $1-2 per page
- Witness services: $15-25 per witness if required
These aren’t notarization fees—they’re for services beyond the actual notarization.
Location Premiums
Urban areas like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego often have higher overall costs due to:
- Higher travel fees (traffic, parking, distance)
- Higher cost of doing business
- Greater demand for services
Rural areas typically have lower travel fees but potentially fewer notaries to choose from.
Where to Get Documents Notarized in California
You have several options, each with different cost structures:
Banks and Credit Unions
Many banks offer free notary services to account holders.
Cost: Free for customers, $10-15 for non-customers (if they’ll serve you)
Pros: Cheapest option if you’re a customer, reliable, no travel
Cons: Limited hours (typically 9 AM-5 PM weekdays), may only serve account holders, not all branches have notaries
Call your branch first to confirm they have a notary available.
UPS Stores and Shipping Centers
Most UPS Store locations offer notary services during business hours.
Cost: $10-15 per signature
Pros: Convenient locations, extended hours, no appointment usually needed
Cons: Still need to travel there, limited to business hours
Mobile Notaries
Mobile notaries travel to your location for convenience.
Cost: $10-15 per signature + $20-75 travel fee
Pros: Comes to you, flexible scheduling including evenings/weekends, good for elderly or mobility-impaired
Cons: More expensive, must schedule in advance
Search “mobile notary [your city]” to find local services. Verify they’re commissioned in California before hiring.
Real Estate Offices and Law Firms
Some real estate offices and law firms offer notary services.
Cost: Often free for clients, $10-15 per signature for non-clients
Pros: Professional setting, experienced with real estate and legal documents
Cons: May only serve their own clients, limited availability
Online Notary Services
California allows remote online notarization (RON) for certain documents.
Cost: $25-40 per session (covers multiple signatures typically)
Pros: No travel, available evenings/weekends, fast (15 minutes typically)
Cons: Not all documents qualify, requires computer/tablet with camera, receiving party must accept electronic notarization
BlueNotary offers convenient online notarization for California residents:
- Complete notarization in 10-15 minutes from home
- Available beyond standard business hours
- No travel fees or time wasted driving
- Secure, legally valid in California
- $25 per document (often cheaper than mobile notaries)
How to Save Money on Notary Services
Use Your Bank
If you have a checking or savings account, your bank likely offers free notary services. This is your cheapest option for straightforward documents.
Batch Multiple Documents
If you need several documents notarized, do them all in one appointment. Whether you’re using a mobile notary or online service, you’ll only pay one travel fee or session fee instead of multiple.
Skip Mobile Services When Possible
Mobile notaries are convenient but expensive. If you can drive to a UPS Store or bank during business hours, you’ll save $20-75 in travel fees.
Compare Mobile Notary Rates
Travel fees vary widely. Call 2-3 mobile notaries and ask their rates before booking. Some charge per mile, others charge flat fees. Find the best deal.
Use Online Notarization
For documents that qualify for online notarization, this is often cheaper than mobile notaries ($25-40 vs. $65-90) and faster than scheduling in-person appointments.
Ask About Package Deals
Some mobile notaries offer discounts if you’re a repeat customer or need notarization regularly. Ask about loyalty rates or bulk discounts.
Avoid Last-Minute Requests
Same-day or emergency notary service costs significantly more. Plan ahead and schedule appointments a few days out to avoid rush fees.
What You Need for Notarization
Bring these to any notary appointment:
Valid government-issued photo ID – California driver’s license, passport, or state ID card. The name on your ID must match the name on the document.
Your document, completed but unsigned – Fill out everything except your signature. The notary must watch you sign.
Payment – Cash, card, or check depending on what the notary accepts. Know the total cost beforehand.
All signers present – If multiple people need to sign, everyone must appear with their own ID.
Don’t sign the document before meeting the notary. That defeats the purpose—they need to witness your signature.
Documents Commonly Requiring Notarization in California
- Real estate deeds and mortgages
- Powers of attorney
- Living trusts and wills
- Affidavits and sworn statements
- Loan documents
- Vehicle title transfers
- Business contracts
- Healthcare directives
- Immigration documents
Each signature on these documents requires notarization, so multiple signers or multi-party contracts increase the cost.
California-Specific Notary Rules
Notaries must verify your identity using government-issued photo ID. They cannot notarize if you don’t have proper identification.
Notaries cannot give legal advice. They can witness signatures but can’t tell you what documents mean or which ones you need.
Travel fees aren’t regulated. Mobile notaries can charge whatever they want for travel. This is the main variable in total cost.
Not all documents can be notarized online. Real estate documents, wills, and certain other documents may require in-person notarization. Check before scheduling online service.
California Notary Cost Bottom Line
Notary services in California typically cost $10-15 per signature for the notarization itself. What varies is everything else—travel fees for mobile notaries ($20-75), loan signing services ($100-200), and additional services like photocopying.
Your cheapest option is using your bank’s free notary service during business hours. Your most convenient option is mobile or online notarization, which costs more but saves you time and travel.
For straightforward documents, shop around. Call your bank, check nearby UPS Stores, and compare mobile notary rates. For complex loan signings or situations where you can’t travel, the premium for mobile or online services is usually worth the convenience.
Understanding typical notary fees and what drives additional costs helps you budget accurately and choose the right notary service for your situation.
FAQ
How much does a notary cost in California?
Notary costs in California range from free (at your bank if you’re a customer) to $90+ for mobile notaries. Typical fees are $10-15 per signature at UPS Stores or notary offices. Mobile notaries add travel fees of $20-75. Online notarization costs $25-40 per session.
Can California notaries charge different rates?
Yes. While there are typical market rates of $10-15 per signature for basic notarization, prices can vary by provider. Mobile notaries can legally charge separate travel fees of $20-75, and loan signing agents can charge $100-200 for specialized mortgage signing services.
Where can I get free notary services in California?
Many banks and credit unions offer free notary services to account holders. Some real estate offices and law firms provide free notarization for their clients. This is your cheapest option if available.
How much do mobile notaries charge in California?
Mobile notaries typically charge $10-15 per signature plus travel fees of $20-75 depending on distance, time of day, and urgency. Expect to pay $50-90 total for a mobile notary to come to your location for basic documents.
Is online notarization legal in California?
Yes. California allows remote online notarization (RON) for certain documents. Cost is typically $25-40 per session. Not all documents qualify—real estate documents and wills may require in-person notarization. Check before scheduling online service.
What’s the cheapest way to get something notarized in California?
Use your bank’s free notary service if you’re a customer. If that’s not available, go to a UPS Store or notary office during business hours for typical rates of $10-15 per signature with no travel fees. This is significantly cheaper than mobile notaries.
Do loan signings cost more than regular notarizations?
Yes. While individual signatures typically cost $10-15, loan signings involve 20-40 documents and take 1-2 hours. Loan signing agents typically charge $100-200 for the complete appointment, covering their time, expertise, and travel.
