Notary fees catch people off guard. You expect to pay a few dollars, then discover the cost varies wildly depending on where you live, what you're signing, and how you get it done.
This guide pulls together the most useful tools, official sources, and practical information to help you understand notary prices before you need a notarization — not after.
How Much Do Notary Services Cost?
Notary public cost in the United States isn't one flat number. Each state sets its own fee limits, and actual notary prices range from as low as $2 per signature in some states to $15 or more per notarial act in others.
Here's what you'll typically encounter:
- In-person notary at a bank: Often free for account holders, or $5–$10 per signature for non-customers
- UPS Store notary costs: Generally $5–$15 per signature, though individual franchise locations set their own rates
- Mobile notary: $25–$200+ depending on travel distance and document complexity
- Remote online notary (RON): Typically $25 per notarial act, with some platforms charging a flat session fee
The cost of notary services also depends on how many signatures need notarizing. A real estate closing might require 10–20 notarized signatures, which adds up fast at per-signature pricing.
What Notary Public Charges Actually Cover
When you pay a notary, you're paying for the legal act of verification — the notary confirms your identity, witnesses your signature, and records the transaction in their journal. The fee covers that service, not the document itself.
Some notaries bundle travel, printing, or after-hours availability into their pricing. Always ask what's included before you commit.
Factors That Affect Notary Pricing
Notary prices don't exist in a vacuum. Several factors push the number up or down.
State fee caps are the biggest variable. States like California cap notary fees at $15 per signature. Florida caps at $10. Some states have no cap at all, leaving pricing entirely to market rates.
Document type matters too. Loan signings and real estate documents often carry higher fees because they're time-intensive. A single affidavit notarization is much simpler.
Location and availability drive mobile notary pricing. A notary who travels to your home at 8pm on a Saturday charges more than one you visit during business hours.
Urgency adds cost. Same-day or after-hours notarization typically commands a premium.
Platform fees apply to online notarization. Beyond the per-act fee, some RON platforms charge monthly subscriptions or per-session fees that affect the total cost of notary ups.
Average Notary Fees by Document Type
Notary Price Comparison by Document
| Document Type | Typical In-Person Fee | Typical RON Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single affidavit | $5–$15 | $25 flat | One signature, straightforward |
| Power of attorney | $10–$30 | $25–$40 | May require multiple notarizations |
| Real estate deed | $15–$50 | $25–$50 | Varies by state and complexity |
| Loan signing package | $75–$200 | $100–$250 | Multiple signatures, longer session |
| Will or trust document | $10–$30 | $25–$50 | May require witness coordination |
| Vehicle title transfer | $5–$15 | $25 | Simple, single-signature document |
These ranges reflect common notary public price points across the U.S. Your actual cost depends on your state's fee schedule and the notary's individual pricing.
Remote Online Notary vs In-Person Notary Costs
This is where notary prices get interesting. The raw per-act fee for remote online notarization is often higher than in-person — typically $25 versus $5–$15. But the total cost of the experience frequently favors RON.
Here's why: in-person notarization has hidden costs. You spend time driving to a UPS Store or bank. You may pay for parking. If your schedule doesn't align with the notary's hours, you lose work time. Mobile notaries solve the scheduling problem but add travel fees.
Remote online notarization eliminates all of that. You connect from wherever you are, the session typically takes 10–15 minutes, and the notarized document is delivered digitally. For anyone signing a power of attorney, a real estate document, or a financial agreement — especially when parties are in different locations — RON often costs less in total time and money.
Key Insight: The per-signature fee is only part of the equation. Factor in travel time, scheduling delays, and convenience when comparing notary prices across methods.
As of this writing, remote online notarization is authorized in 45+ states, making it a viable option for most Americans.
How to Find Affordable Notary Services
Knowing where to look keeps notary prices manageable.
Banks and credit unions are your first stop. Most major banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo — offer free or low-cost notary services to account holders. Call ahead to confirm availability and whether your document type qualifies.
UPS Store locations are widely available and consistent. UPS Store notary costs vary by franchise, but the chain's broad footprint makes it convenient for most people. Expect to pay $5–$15 per signature.
Public libraries in some states offer free notary services as a public resource. Check your local library's website or call to ask.
AAA offices provide notary services to members at no charge in many locations.
Online notary platforms like BlueNotary offer on-demand sessions without appointment waits. For time-sensitive documents — like those needed for document notarization after car accidents or urgent legal matters — the ability to connect immediately often outweighs the slightly higher per-act fee.
State notary databases let you search licensed notaries in your area. The National Notary Association maintains a directory at nationalnotary.org, and many states publish their own registries through the Secretary of State's office.
What's Included in Notary Service Fees?
Standard notary public charges cover the notarial act itself — identity verification, witnessing the signature, and completing the notarial certificate. That's the core service.
What's typically not included:
- Printing the document — you usually bring it or print it yourself
- Travel — mobile notaries charge separately for this
- Copies — certified copies may carry an additional fee
- Witnessing by a third party — some documents require witnesses beyond the notary; that's a separate arrangement
- Loan signing agent fees — for mortgage closings, a certified loan signing agent may charge $75–$200 on top of notary fees
For electronic notarization, platform fees sometimes bundle identity verification technology, audio-video session costs, and document storage into the notary price. Read the pricing page carefully so you know exactly what you're paying for.
Money-Saving Tips for Notarization
Notary prices are largely predictable once you know the system. Here's how to keep costs down.
Use your bank first. If you have an account at a major bank, call and ask about free notary services before paying anywhere else.
Batch your documents. If you have multiple documents to notarize, do them in one session. Many notaries charge per notarial act, not per document — but combining a trip saves time and sometimes earns a discount.
Compare RON platforms before committing. Notary prices on online platforms vary. Some charge per session, others per act, and some offer subscription plans for frequent users.
Avoid last-minute requests. Rush fees and after-hours premiums are real. If your document isn't urgent, schedule during standard business hours.
Check your state's fee schedule. The Secretary of State's office for your state publishes the maximum a notary can legally charge. If you're quoted more, you can push back.
Ask about package pricing. For real estate transactions or estate planning documents requiring multiple notarizations, ask whether the notary offers a flat package rate.
Common Questions About Notary Prices
How much does a notary charge per signature?
Notary public cost per signature ranges from $2 to $15 in most states, depending on state fee caps. California allows up to $15 per signature. Florida caps at $10. Some states set fees as low as $2–$5. Online notarization typically runs $25 per notarial act regardless of state, though platform fees vary.
Is online notarization more expensive than in-person?
The per-act fee for remote online notarization is usually higher — around $25 versus $5–$15 in person. But when you factor in travel time, scheduling, and convenience, total cost of notary ups often favors the online option, especially for complex or time-sensitive documents.
Do banks charge for notary services?
Most major banks offer free notary services to account holders. Non-customers may pay $5–$15 per signature. Call your branch ahead of time — not every branch has a notary available on any given day, and some document types may not qualify for the free service.
What documents cost the most to notarize?
Loan signing packages carry the highest notary prices — typically $75–$200 for in-person and $100–$250 for online sessions — because they involve multiple signatures and a longer appointment. Real estate deeds, powers of attorney, and trust documents are next in line.
Can a notary charge whatever they want?
No. Most states set maximum fees that notaries cannot exceed. These caps apply to the notarial act itself. However, notaries can charge separately for travel, after-hours availability, or other services not covered by the fee schedule. Check your state's Secretary of State website for the current cap.
The Bottom Line
Notary prices range from free at your bank to $200+ for a mobile loan signing — knowing the difference saves you real money. Notarize your documents through BlueNotary — connect with a commissioned notary in minutes, from anywhere, with no appointment required. Ready to get started? Visit BlueNotary to learn more.
