Maryland and Wyoming have raised the fees Notaries may charge for performing notarizations, and several other states are considering legislation that would also raise Notary Public fees.
Maryland’s Secretary of State issued rules that, effective April 1, double maximum fees from $2 to $4 for each notarial act performed. This action was authorized under a bill (HB 102) passed by the state legislature in 2013.
In Wyoming, House Bill 19 was recently signed into law increasing Notary Public fees to $5 effective as of July 1.
In West Virginia, House Bill 4012 has passed the state legislature and is on Governor Earl Ray Tomblin’s desk awaiting his signature. If Governor Tomblin signs the bill, Notaries will be able to charge $5 per notarial act after July 1. Notaries who would like to voice support for the bill can contact the Governor and urge him to sign it into law.
Several other state legislatures are also considering legislation to increase Notary Public fees. Minnesota (House Bill 155, Senate Bill 238), Missouri (House Bill 1167), and New York (Senate Bill 1399, Assembly Bill 1788) would all allow Notaries in their states to charge $5 per notarial act if their measures pass.
In addition, the Connecticut legislature is considering Senate Bill 440, which would allow Notaries to charge travel fees greater than 35 cents per mile. Any travel fee that exceeds the current maximum would need to be negotiated and agreed to ahead of time.
Kat Garcia is the Public Relations Specialist with the National Notary Association.