Maximum notary fees in South Carolina
State-set maximums, notaries may always charge less, and many do.
| Notarial act | Maximum fee |
|---|
| Acknowledgment | $5.00 maximum per act |
| Jurat | $5.00 maximum per act |
| Oath / affirmation | $5.00 maximum per act |
| Copy certification | $5.00 maximum per act (verification of fact / other authorized acts) |
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 (S.C. Code Ann. § 26-1-100; electronic acts under § 26-2-70)
Remote online notarization
Not permitted: South Carolina has not enacted a remote online notarization (RON) law as of July 2026; only in-person electronic notarization is authorized. Electronic notaries may charge up to $10 per signature under § 26-2-70.
Travel fees
Not limited by statute, but must be disclosed as separate from the notarial fee and agreed in advance.
Worth knowing: A pending bill (H.3190, 2025-2026 session) would raise the standard maximum from $5 to $10, but as of July 2026 it remains in the House Ways and Means Committee and is not law. SC's 10-year commission term is unusually long compared to most states.
How notary fees work in South Carolina
South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina?
In South Carolina, a notary public may charge a maximum of $5.00 per notarial act, such as an acknowledgment, jurat or oath. South Carolina does set a statutory cap on notary fees.
Can notaries charge travel or mileage fees in South Carolina?
Not limited by statute, but must be disclosed as separate from the notarial fee and agreed in advance.
Where does this South Carolina notary fee information come from?
South Carolina's fee-setting basis: statute (S.C. Code Ann. § 26-1-100; electronic acts under § 26-2-70). See the sources listed below for the full citations (last reviewed July 2026).