How Much Does It Cost to Get Something Notarized?

Notary fees are one of the more confusing parts of getting a document notarized, mostly because the "notary fee" itself is only one piece of what you might actually pay — and the total can look very different depending on the notary, the document, and where you live. Here's how the pricing usually breaks down, and what drives the difference between a simple notarization and a full signing appointment.

How Notary Fees Work

Most states set a maximum fee a notary is legally allowed to charge for a standard notarial act, like an acknowledgment or a jurat. A notary can charge less than that cap, or waive the fee entirely, but can't charge more for the notarization itself. This cap only applies to the act of notarizing — it doesn't limit separate charges like travel fees or document preparation services.

Typical Cost for a Standard Notarization

For a single, in-office notarization of one signature, the fee is generally modest — most states cap it well below what you'd pay for a professional service like this. If a document has multiple signatures or requires more than one notarial act, the notary may charge the per-signature fee for each one. Because the cap (and what individual notaries actually charge, up to that cap) varies by state, the exact amount is always worth confirming with the notary directly rather than assuming a set price.

Why Notary Fees Vary by State

Because notaries are commissioned and regulated at the state level, each state sets its own maximum fee schedule — and some haven't updated theirs in years, while others allow higher caps. There's no national standard rate, which is why the same type of notarization can cost noticeably more in one state than another.

Mobile Notary Fees and Travel Charges

A mobile notary who travels to your home, hospital, or office typically charges a separate travel fee on top of the standard notarial fee — this covers their time and mileage, not the notarization itself, and is negotiated directly between you and the notary rather than being capped by the state. Travel fees are set independently by each notary and generally reflect the distance traveled, the time of day, and how quickly you need the appointment, so they can vary quite a bit from one notary to the next — always ask for the travel fee upfront before booking.

Loan Signing and Real Estate Closing Costs

Loan signings are a different animal entirely. A Certified Signing Agent typically charges a flat, negotiated fee — well above a standard notarization — to review, explain, and notarize an entire package of mortgage or real estate closing documents. This fee reflects the time and specialized training involved in handling a large document set, not just a single notarial act, and it varies by signing agent and by the size and complexity of the package.

Apostille Costs (Separate From Notary Fees)

An apostille certifies a notarized document for use in another country, and it's issued by the state's Secretary of State — not the notary. The apostille itself carries its own state filing fee, separate from whatever the notary charged to notarize the document in the first place. Some notaries offer to handle the apostille submission for you as an add-on service, for an additional fee.

How to Get an Accurate Quote Before Your Appointment

Because so much depends on document type, signature count, and whether travel is involved, the most reliable way to know your total cost is to ask directly. Search for notaries near you and contact a few directly — most are happy to give you a quote over the phone once they know what you need notarized.