Maximum notary fees in California
State-set maximums, notaries may always charge less, and many do.
| Notarial act | Maximum fee |
|---|
| Acknowledgment | $15 per signature |
| Jurat | $15 per signature |
| Oath / affirmation | $15 |
| Copy certification | $15 (powers of attorney only, CA notaries generally may not certify copies of other document types) |
Informational reference only, not legal advice. Notary fee laws change, and states differ in how fees apply (per act, per signature, or per certificate). Last reviewed July 2026. Always confirm current rules with your state's commissioning authority before setting your fees.
Key rules at a glance
Fees set by
statute (Gov. Code § 8211)
Remote online notarization
Not permitted: SB 696 (effective Jan. 1, 2024) authorized a future RON program in principle, but the Secretary of State's technology platform is not yet operational as of mid-2026 (statutory deadline is Jan. 1, 2030); California-commissioned notaries cannot yet perform RON.
Travel fees
Not capped by statute; travel/mobile fees are separate from the §8211 caps, set by the notary, and must be disclosed in advance
Worth knowing: Also sets $30 + $7 + $7 for deposition-related services. No fee may be charged for notarizing vote-by-mail ballot envelopes or for a veteran's benefit-claim notarization.
How notary fees work in California
California sets the maximum a notary public may charge for each notarial act. The table above shows those caps. Charging above the maximum is a compliance violation, but there is no minimum: many notaries charge less, or waive fees for certain documents. What you may charge for ancillary services (travel, printing, scheduling) is governed separately: see the travel-fee rule above, and always disclose extra charges to the signer in advance.
If you work as a loan signing agent, note that the signing-service fee you receive for a loan package is compensation for the appointment as a whole (travel, printing, handling), the notarial-act portion is still subject to the per-act caps shown here. Keeping those two amounts separate in your records matters, because in many situations they are treated differently for tax purposes. That split is exactly what a purpose-built record-keeping system handles for you.
Sources
This page is general information about California notary fee rules, last reviewed July 2026. It is not legal, tax or accounting advice. Verify current requirements with the state's commissioning authority.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum notary fee in California?
In California, a notary public may charge a maximum of $15 per notarial act, such as an acknowledgment, jurat or oath. California does set a statutory cap on notary fees.
Can notaries charge travel or mileage fees in California?
Not capped by statute; travel/mobile fees are separate from the §8211 caps, set by the notary, and must be disclosed in advance.
Where does this California notary fee information come from?
California's fee-setting basis: statute (Gov. Code § 8211). See the sources listed below for the full citations (last reviewed July 2026).