Notary fees in Massachusetts
No general state-set maximum: notaries set their own fee, within any rule shown below.
| Notarial act | Fee rule |
|---|
| Acknowledgment | No statutory maximum |
| Jurat | No statutory maximum |
| Oath / affirmation | No statutory maximum |
| Copy certification | No statutory maximum |
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
No cap in statute for general notarial acts (M.G.L. c. 222, sec 16); a narrow $1.25-$2.00 fee cap under M.G.L. c. 262, sec 41 applies only to protest of a dishonored negotiable instrument
Remote online notarization
Permitted: RON authorized by statute but as of early 2026 the Secretary of the Commonwealth had not issued the required registration/training system; notaries advised to hold off performing RON until implemented
Travel fees
Not addressed by statute; unregulated, set by agreement
Worth knowing: One of roughly 10 states with no general fee cap. No fee may be charged to notarize an absentee ballot or a veteran's benefit application.
How notary fees work in Massachusetts
Massachusetts does not set a general maximum dollar fee for notarial acts, so apart from the narrow exception noted above, the amount is up to you, within any reasonableness or disclosure rule noted in the fee-setting box above. There is no minimum either: many notaries charge less, or waive fees for certain documents. What you may charge for ancillary services (travel, printing, scheduling) is dealt with separately: see the travel-fee rule above, and tell the signer about any extra charges 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 within it has no general state cap here. Keeping those two amounts separate in your records still 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?
Massachusetts does not set a general statutory maximum fee for most notarial acts. Notaries in Massachusetts may set their own fee for acknowledgments, jurats and oaths, subject to any disclosure or reasonableness requirement shown below.
Can notaries charge travel or mileage fees in Massachusetts?
Not addressed by statute; unregulated, set by agreement.
Where does this Massachusetts notary fee information come from?
Massachusetts's fee-setting basis: No cap in statute for general notarial acts (M.G.L. c. 222, sec 16); a narrow $1.25-$2.00 fee cap under M.G.L. c. 262, sec 41 applies only to protest of a dishonored negotiable instrument. See the sources listed below for the full citations (last reviewed July 2026).