Key Takeaways
- Maximum fee for most notarial acts (acknowledgment, jurat, signature witnessing, oath) is $10 per signature
- Maximum fee for copy certification is $10 per page certified
- Remote notarization maximum fee is $25 per notarial act
- Notaries may charge less than the maximum or notarize for free
- Travel fees may be charged separately if agreed upon in advance and explained to the client
Notary Fees in Utah
Utah Code Section 46-1-12 establishes the maximum fees a notary public may charge for notarial acts. These limits protect the public from excessive charges while allowing notaries to be compensated for their services.
Maximum Fee Schedule (Traditional Notarization)
| Notarial Act | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | $10 per signature |
| Jurat | $10 per signature |
| Oath or Affirmation (without signature) | $10 per person |
| Signature Witnessing | $10 per signature |
| Copy Certification | $10 per page certified |
Note: The $10 maximum for traditional notarization became effective November 1, 2019, when it was raised from $5.
Remote Notarization Fees
| Notarial Act | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Any remote notarization act | $25 per notarial act |
Remote notaries may charge up to $25 for any notarial act performed via Remote Online Notarization (RON), which is higher than the traditional fee to account for the technology and platform costs involved.
Understanding Fee Calculation
Per Signature vs. Per Document
The fee is calculated per signature, not per document. Examples:
| Scenario | Calculation | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|---|
| One document, one signer | 1 acknowledgment | $10 |
| One document, three signers | 3 acknowledgments | $30 |
| Five documents, one signer | 5 acknowledgments | $50 |
| Two pages certified | 2 pages × $10 | $20 |
Multiple Acts on Same Document
If a document requires multiple notarial acts, each is charged separately:
- Acknowledgment (1 signature): $10
- Jurat on attached affidavit (1 signature): $10
- Total maximum: $20
Charging Less (or Nothing)
Utah law sets maximum fees, not required fees. Notaries may:
- Charge less than the maximum
- Notarize for free (common for employers, banks, family)
- Offer volume discounts
Many notaries employed by banks, title companies, or other businesses notarize for free as part of their job duties.
Travel Fees
A notary may charge a travel fee when traveling to perform a notarial act, but specific conditions apply:
Travel Fee Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Explanation | Must explain that travel fee is separate from notarial fee |
| Not mandated | Must tell client the travel fee is not required by law |
| Agreement | Must agree on travel fee in advance |
| Maximum rate | May not exceed approved federal mileage rate |
Federal Mileage Rate
The federal mileage rate changes annually. For 2024-2025, the standard mileage rate is approximately $0.67 per mile. Check the current IRS rate when quoting travel fees.
Fee Disclosure
Notaries should clearly communicate:
- The fee for each notarial act
- That travel fees (if charged) are separate and optional
- The total cost before proceeding
- That fees are set by state law
On the Exam
- Maximum traditional fee: $10 per signature/page
- Maximum remote fee: $25 per notarial act
- Per signature: Fees calculated per signature, not per document
- Travel fees: Must be agreed upon in advance, cannot exceed federal mileage rate
What is the maximum fee a Utah notary may charge for an acknowledgment?
A document has three signers, each requiring an acknowledgment. What is the maximum total fee the notary may charge?
What conditions apply to charging a travel fee?