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National Notary Association
The National Notary Bulletin

What guidelines do I follow when charging Notary fees?

By NNA Staff on February 7, 2022

Where can I find information on how to price Notary services in Massachusetts? — M.C., Massachusetts 

Updated with corrected answer, 3-15-22. In Massachusetts, there are no set fees (except for protests, an antiquated notarial act that Notaries rarely perform). A Notary may charge any fee they feel is reasonable. However, a Notary may not charge a fee for notarizing a signature on an absentee ballot identification envelope or other voting materials, or on any application or claim by a United States military veteran for a pension, allotment, allowance, compensation, insurance or other veterans’ benefit (GL 222, Sec. 23).

Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors

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Additional Resources:

2022 Notary Fees By State

View All: Hotline Tips

4 Comments

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Rober Walker

07 Mar 2022

this is copy of mgl 222 sect 23. Notwithstanding section 41 of chapter 262, no fee shall be charged by a notary public to notarize a signature on an absentee ballot identification envelope or other voting materials or on any application or claim by a United States military veteran for a pension, allotment, allowance, compensation, insurance or other veterans' benefit. this is what is found under guidlelines of what guidelines do I follow when charging notary fees dated feb 7, 2022. However, a Notary may not notarize a signature on an absentee ballot identification envelope or other voting materials, or on any application or claim by a United States military veteran for a pension, allotment, allowance, compensation, insurance or other veterans’ benefit (GL 222, Sec. 23) Why the descrepancy? The commonwealth states I should not charge a fee and your guidance is that I should not notarize. Might you immedicately and forthwith correct- thank you

National Notary Association

15 Mar 2022

Hello, Mr. Walker. You are correct and we have edited the answer in the Hotline Tip accordingly. We apologize for any confusion this caused. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

Jessica C

08 Sep 2023

Is it permissible to charge non-clients a fee if you don’t charge clients a fee? Or would that conflict with Massachusetts’ law prohibiting discrimination based on client/non-client status?

National Notary Association

11 Sep 2023

Hello. In Massachusetts, there is no statutory fee schedule for acknowledgments, oaths, and affirmations. A pamphlet formerly issued by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, “Guidelines for the Notary Public,” provided this caution: “As a notary, you are a public servant and should be available to perform a public service at a reasonable cost. Excessive charges could result in complaints to the Governor’s Council.” Regarding discrimination, MA law states: “A notary public shall not refuse to perform a notarial act solely based on the principal's race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, health, disability or status as a nonclient or noncustomer of the notary public or the notary public’s employer” (GL 222, Sec. 16[b]). The Notary Public Code of Professional Responsibility Article I-B-I provides the following recommended ethical guidelines for Notaries regarding charging fees: "The Notary shall not base the charging of a fee for performing a notarial act, or the amount of the fee, on the principal’s race, nationality, ethnicity, citizenship, religion, politics, lifestyle, advanced age, physical disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation, or on agreement or disagreement with the statements or purpose of a document."

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