Notarizing A Power Of Attorney?

I have been asked to come to a nursing home to notarize a power of attorney document. Should I have the client initial each paragraph and sign the final page? Also can I charge a travel fee in addition to the mileage and notarizing fee? — M.W., Capitol Heights, Maryland

While the customer definitely must sign the document on the final page below the document contents in order for you to notarize the signature, the customer should initial each paragraph only if advised to do so by an attorney. A Notary who is not an attorney is not qualified to provide any advice for how to otherwise mark the document. As for your question about a travel fee, yes, you may charge a travel fee in addition to the statutory fee for the notarial act. Maryland allows you to charge a travel fee of 31 cents per mile plus a flat fee of $5.

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24 Comments

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shirley hopkins

15 Jun 2015

A question, not a comment, does Texas allow a travel fee?

National Notary Association

16 Jun 2015

Hello. Texas Notary law doesn't address whether Notaries may charge a travel fee. The maximum fees that a Texas Notary may charge for a notarial act are (GC 406.024): 1. Taking an acknowledgment or proof: $6 for the first signature and $1 for each additional signature; 2. Administering an oath or affirmation, with or without a certificate/seal: $6; 3. Providing a copy of a record or paper kept in the Notary’s office: 50 cents per page; 4. Taking a deposition: $6 for the oath and certificate, plus 50 cents per 100 words; 5. Protesting for nonacceptance or non-payment, $4; protest certificate/seal, $4; each notice of protest, $1; 6. Performing any other lawful notarial act: $6.

Jeffery Northrup

You did not answer the question. You mixed the words travel and mileage. I believe the question was if a fee for one's time could be charged in addition to the $.31 and $5.

Hello. As stated above, the Notary may also charge a mileage reimbursement of 31 cents per mile for travel required for the performance of a notarial act plus a flat travel fee of up to $5 (CMR 01.02.08.03D and ACM St. Gov. 18-112[b]).

Tami

17 Jun 2015

Is there a flat rate maximum travel charge in California? Does it depend on the type of document?

Hello. California Notary law does not address travel fees. For more information, please see this link: http://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2013/04/hotline-tip-how-much-can-i-charge-as-a-mobile-notary

Cynthia

very interesting question. Does the same travel rule apply to Seattle, Washington? .31 cent per mile plus 5.00 flat fee along with any notary charges?

18 Jun 2015

Hello. No, the amount you asked about applies to travel fees in Maryland. In Washington, a Notary may charge a travel fee when traveling to perform a notarial act if: a. The Notary and the person requesting the notarial act agree upon the travel fee in advance of the travel; and b. The Notary explains to the person requesting the notarial act that the travel fee is in addition to the notarial fee in subsection (1) of this section and is not required by law (WAC 308-30-020[4]).

bill

Hello what about PENNSYLVANIA?

22 Jun 2015

Hello. Charges for travel by a Notary aren't specified by Pennsylvania law.

Javier Daniel Garza

26 Oct 2016

what is the typical notary fee for a Medical Power of Atty in Texas?

Hello. The fee you may charge depends on the type of notarization asked for. The maximum fees that a Texas Notary or the Notary’s employer may charge for a notarial act are (GC 406.024[a]): 1. Taking an acknowledgment or proof: $6 for the first signature and $1 for each additional signature; 2. Administering an oath or affirmation, with certificate and seal: $6; 3. Providing a copy of a record or paper kept in the Notary’s office: 50 cents per page; 4. Taking a deposition: $6 for the oath, certificate, seal and other business connected with the deposition, plus 50 cents per 100 words; 5. Protesting for nonacceptance or nonpayment, register and seal, $4; each notice of protest, $1; certificate and seal to a protest, $4; protesting in all other cases, $4. 6. Certificate under seal not otherwise provided for: $6 7. Performing any other lawful notarial act: $6.

Tracey Pratt

06 Dec 2016

Hello, I am a new notary in Florida. I am wondering how to figure out my fees for POA? I'm confused on what exactly I charge for. Per signature on each page? Or just simply per page?

09 Dec 2016

Hello. With the exception of marriage ceremonies, the maximum fee Notaries may charge in Florida is $10 per notarial act. (FS 117.05[2][a])

Ashley V

30 Oct 2020

How much do notary signing agents charge for a power of attorney in New York?

02 Nov 2020

The maximum fees that a New York Notary may charge for a notarial act are (EL 136): Taking an acknowledgment or proof: $2 per person, plus $2 for each witness sworn in; Administering an oath or affirmation including, as applicable, any jurat certificate: $2 per person (except where another fee is specifically prescribed by statute); Executing a protest: 75 cents per protest and 10 cents per notice of protest, not exceeding five notices (EL 135).

Mary Campbell

22 Feb 2021

I just recently became certified how can I receive clients?

26 Feb 2021

Hello. Please see this article for some tips: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2016/06/effective-networking-mobile-notaries-quality-quantity

Dalila AGiza

20 Apr 2021

Yes you can charge a mileage fee. Guidelines state that mobile notaries have the ability to add additional fees that may be incurred for the services in additional to the state mandated fee for performing certain notarial act. If its last minute travel, that can incur a fee plus the mileage. I charge 57.5 cents a mile based on round trip and current year mileage reimbursement tables.

23 Apr 2021

Some states may have different requirements or fee schedules for travel fees. Please see this article for more information: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2015/06/five-tips-notaries-charging-travel-fees

y_walton53@yahoo.com

06 May 2021

where can I find tips on power Of Attorney Notarization?

11 May 2021

Hello. We have an article and video here with information you may find helpful: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2015/09/how-to-handle-notarization-attorney-in-fact

Betty Verrett

03 Feb 2023

I have a question, actually two. I am a new notary. 1. How much do I charge for notarizing a power of attorney form in the state of Texas? 2. If I mess up documenting in my journal, how do I correct it?

17 Feb 2023

Hello. The maximum fees that a Texas Notary or the Notary’s employer may charge for a notarial act are (GC 406.024[a]): Taking an acknowledgment or proof: $6 for the first signature and $1 for each additional signature; Administering an oath or affirmation, with certificate and seal: $6; Providing a copy of a record or paper kept in the Notary’s office: 50 cents per page; Taking a deposition: $6 for the oath, certificate, seal and other business connected with the deposition, plus 50 cents per 100 words; Protesting for nonacceptance or nonpayment, register and seal, $4; each notice of protest, $1; certificate and seal to a protest, $4; protesting in all other cases, $4. Certificate under seal not otherwise provided for: $6 Performing any other lawful notarial act: $6. For information on correcting errors in journal entries, please see this article and video: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2017/02/notary-tip-correcting-journal-entries

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