AnalysisThe increased recording fees enacted in Senate Bill 676 only indirectly affect Notaries. While Notaries typically do not pay the fees to record the documents they notarize, nevertheless, effective January 1, 2010, any multi-page mortgage or deed of trust, power of attorney, subordination agreement, etc. that is acknowledged before a Notary and subsequently recorded in the land records will be charged the new higher fee. Note, the fee is increased for recording the first page only; all pages other than the first will be charged $3 per page. The new fee increase also affects one-page documents, such as most grant and quitclaim deeds.
This bill serves as a reminder that a California Notary’s use of “loose” certificates that are smaller than 8½ by 11 inches in size or that contain very small type may result in a signer having to pay a penalty to a recorder.
Read the bill text.