Updated 7-13-16 with new District of Columbia information. Most Notaries would agree that the fees they're allowed to charge for notarizations are far too low — in fact, some states haven't updated their fee schedules in decades. But a number of bills have been introduced this year to allow Notaries to charge more.
States proposing fee increases or removing fee schedules altogether this year include:
Kentucky:
Senate Bill 214, signed by the Governor on April 8, 2016, eliminates Kentucky's maximum Notary fee schedule entirely, allowing Notaries to set their own fees for their services. The new law prohibits Notaries from charging for jurats related to benefits for military veterans and their families. Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts and Tennessee are the only other states that allow Notaries to set their own fees.
Hawaii:
At present, Hawaii Notaries may charge a maximum of $5 for notarizations. As introduced and passed in the Senate, Senate Bill 2446 would raise the maximum fee to $25 per acknowledgment — the highest in the country — and $10 for other notarial acts. However, the bill was scaled back in the House to a maximum fee of $10 for an acknowledgment and is awaiting a final vote. If the House version passes, the House and Senate will have to resolve which fee to allow — $10 or $25.
Hawaii Notaries who wish to support Senate Bill 2446 can contact their local legislator.
California:
Assembly Bill 2217 will increase the maximum fee Notaries in California may charge from $10 per acknowledgment or jurat to $15.
California Notaries who wish to support AB 2217 can send a message to Amanda Budhram, legislative aide to Assembly Member David Hadley, at Amanda.Budhram@asm.ca.gov with the subject line "I Support AB 2217."
UPDATE 8-3-16: The bill has passed the Assembly and Senate, and is now before Governor Jerry Brown for his signature.
District of Columbia:
Effective July 1, Notaries in the District of Columbia may begin charging $5 per notarial act, up from $2. District of Columbia B-112 also gives the Mayor authority to periodically adjust fees. However, the fees cannot be set lower than the current $5. This means that the Mayor may increase fees without having to get approval from the District of Columbia Council.
Georgia:
House Bill 381 would have doubled Georgia's maximum Notary fee from $2 to $4. The House passed the bill, but the General Assembly adjourned before the Senate could vote on the bill.
Georgia Notaries who would like to support House Bill 381 can contact the office of State Senator John Kennedy.
Illinois:
Illinois only allows Notaries to charge $1 for each notarization at this time. House Bill 5926 would increase the maximum fee to $3.
Illinois Notaries who wish to support HB 5926 can contact the office of State Representative Laura Fine.
Indiana:
House Bill 1301 proposed raising fees from $2 to $10, but the bill failed.
Vermont:
House Bill 206 repeals the statute allowing Vermont Notaries to charge $.50 for each certificate under seal and $2.00 for each protest and notices of protest. Vermont Notaries can contact State Representative Donna Sweaney, chair of the House Committee on Government Operations, to support the bill.
These Notary fee bills continue a legislative trend that's been in motion since 2014, when South Carolina, Minnesota, Maryland, West Virginia and Wyoming raised fees Notaries may charge. Notaries can follow updates to state regulations using the NNA's searchable online Notary law database.
David Thun is an Associate Editor at the National Notary Association.
Related Articles:
Webcam Notarizations And Other Legislative And Regulatory Trends To Watch In 2016
Types Of ID That Notaries May Accept Under New State Laws
Additional Resources:
Notary Laws And Policy Tracker
State Notary Websites