Key Takeaways

• Notary public fees in the U.S. typically range from $2-$15 per signature for in-person services, depending on the state.
• Most states regulate notary fees, but some allow notaries to set their own rates.
• Mobile notaries charge travel fees on top of their base rate, pushing total costs to $50-$200 per appointment.
• Online notary services are less expensive with no travel costs or surprises.
• The number of signatures, document type, and urgency all affect what you pay.

How much does a notary public cost? That depends on where you live and how you want to access the notary services. The answer isn’t one simple number.

Fees vary by state, by service type, and by how you choose to access a notary. Whether you’re heading to a bank, calling a mobile notary to come to you, or meeting with a notary online, each option comes with its own price tag.

Keep reading to learn what you’ll actually pay for each type of service and what drives the cost difference.

Ready to meet with a notary now? Book an online notary appointment and complete your document in about 7 minutes from any device with a Wi-Fi connection.

How Much Does it Cost for a Notary Public? (In-Person Services)

For a standard in-person appointment, notary fees in the U.S. run between $2 and $15 per signature. Most states charge per signature, not per document. That means a document that needs two signatures doesn’t cost one fee, it costs two.

Here’s a sample of what fees are charged in various states:

• California: $15 per signature
• Texas: $10 for the first signature, $1 for each additional signature
• Washington: $15 per notarial act
• Florida: $10 per notarial act
• Indiana: $10 per notarial act
• Colorado: $15 per notarial act
• New York: $2 per person, one of the lowest fees in the country
• Georgia: $2 per notarial act
• Rhode Island: $25 per notarial act, one of the highest fees in the country
  

For a complete list of state fees, see the 2026 Notary Fees by State table from the Notary Public Association.

How Much Do Mobile Notaries Charge?

A mobile notary travels to your location, such as your home, office, or another location that’s accessible for you. While this is convenient, this service comes at a cost beyond the basic notarial fee.

The total cost for a mobile notary appointment typically ranges from $50 to $200, depending on the state-regulated fee per act and the travel fee. 

How Travel Fees Work

State fee caps apply to the notarial act itself, not to travel. That means the travel portion of the bill is largely unregulated and set by the notary.

Travel fees for standard urban distances generally run $25-$75 on top of the notarial act fee.

The Notary Public Association’s state fee table includes the travel fee rules for each state, including which states require the notary to inform you how much the travel fee will be.

States handle mobile notary travel fees in a few different ways:

• Fixed travel fee by state: Connecticut ($0.35/mile); Nevada and New Hampshire ($0.20/mile), New Mexico, Virginia, Idaho, and D.C. set specific travel charges by law.
• IRS mileage rate: Arizona, Indiana, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Utah, and Wyoming use the federal mileage rate.
• Notary-set travel fees: Most other states, including Florida, Texas, New York, California, and Illinois allow notaries to set their own travel fees but the amount of this fee must be disclosed before service.

For a complete breakdown by state, the National Notary Association’s travel fee guide is a valuable source of information.

To avoid surprises, always ask for a fully itemized quote before confirming your appointment.

Are Notary Fees Regulated?

Most states regulate notary fees and set a legal maximum that notaries can charge. A notary can charge less than the legal maximum, but not more. 

However, some states do not set a maximum fee at all. In those states, notaries set their own rates, but are usually required to tell you the fee before your appointment.

Here’s how regulations work across the country:

• States with regulated fee caps: Most U.S. states fall under this category, with fees ranging from $2 to $25 per notarial act depending on state law.
• States with no set fee schedule: Notaries in Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, South Dakota, and Vermont set their own rates.
• States that require fee disclosure before your appointment: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, and Maine.
• States that require a notary to post their fees in a visible spot: Georgia, Missouri, Montana, and Nevada.

The National Notary Association publishes updated fee information for every state, so check your state’s current rules.

“Many clients don’t realize fees apply per signature, not per document. A five-page agreement with three signers isn’t one fee — it’s three.” – Talia Wang, Notary Public

Meet with a notary online and get flat, transparent pricing with no surprises. Book your online notary appointment now!

Are Online Notaries More Expensive?

At first glance, online notary services appear to cost more than in-person notarization. A flat fee of $25-50 per appointment sounds higher than a $2-$15 per signature in-person fee. But the comparison isn’t that simple.

Most online notary services bundle several services into one flat price — you’re not just paying for a stamp. Your fee typically covers:

• Identity verification (a secure ID check before your appointment begins)
• A live video session with a commissioned notary
• A tamper-evident digital seal certifying your document’s authenticity 
• A complete audit trail and session recording

The Hidden Cost of In-Person and Mobile Notary Services

A low per-signature fee doesn’t always mean a lower total cost. When you factor in your own travel time, the need to take time off work to attend an in-person appointment, and any extra fees for urgent requests, the cost for in-person notary services can quickly add up.

And even though mobile notary services are convenient, the additional travel fees can add a lot to the total cost if the notary needs to travel a fair distance to reach you.

When you take all that into consideration, using an online notary service is a much more affordable and convenient option. You know the cost before you book your appointment, and you can schedule the meeting to suit your schedule.

Next Step: Complete Your Document with an Online Notary

Drafting your document is only the first step. To be legally valid, your document must be commissioned — signed in front of an authorized notary, with your identity verified and your oath or affirmation recorded.

Here’s all you need to do:

1. Draft your document, or use a NotaryPro template to get started.
2. Book your online notary appointment.
3. Sign your document with the notary — your commissioned document is complete in under 7 minutes.

You can complete the entire process without leaving your home. All you need is your document, your ID, and a device with Wi-Fi.

Conclusion

Notary costs can differ depending on where you live and what type of notary service you have selected: in-person, mobile, or online. Before your appointment, count the total number of signatures that need to be witnessed — that’s how many notarial acts you’ll be paying for.

Whatever service you choose, be sure to get a full quote upfront to avoid any surprises. If you want the fastest, most convenient option, you can complete your document online with a notary from anywhere, at any time.

The process takes under 7 minutes. No travel, no waiting, no hassle — just a completed, commissioned document that is legally valid.

Skip the trip. Book your online notary appointment and have a notary commission your document wherever you are.