Can I charge extra if a customer wants multiple Notary seals on a document?

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I have to notarize a power of attorney that will be used in India. Their laws require that I stamp every page of the document and then complete the Notary acknowledgment form on the last page. Do I charge for every stamp I affix to the document, or just the one on the last page with the affirmation statement? — J. M., Maryland

No, you can only charge for each “original notarial act” and not each use of the official stamp (Code of Maryland Regulations 01.02.08.02A[1]). Furthermore, it is Maryland law that you must follow as a Notary, not India law. There is no requirement for Maryland Notaries to “fan-stamp” every page of a notarized document.

Notaries should remember that the official seal can only be used as part of authorized notarial acts and cannot be affixed to a document simply to make it appear “legal.” For more details, see our article on things Notaries are not allowed to do.

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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11 Comments

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Your Go-to Notary

19 Jan 2025

Some notarial certificates have a place to put "#of pages" as well as the document title. I personally think that helps tie the notarization to the correct document.

JR-North Carolina

15 Jan 2025

I am on a Bible College Board in North Caroline & I am the treasurer that is helping to raise money to build the College. Is it legal for me to notarized documents for this company? Example of Documents: deeds, transfer of land to someone else, sell to someone or will land to relatives. Do the 10 board members need to sign the document also. The land is in the Bible College name not one individual name. Please advise. Thank you! JR in North Caroline.

National Notary Association

24 Jan 2025

Hello. In North Carolina, “A notary shall not perform a notarial act if any of the following apply: … The notary is a signer of, party to, or beneficiary of the record, that is to be notarized. However, a disqualification under this subdivision shall not apply to a notary who is named in a record solely as “(i) the trustee in a deed of trust, “(ii) the drafter of the record, “(iii) the person to whom a registered document should be mailed or sent after recording, or “(iv) the attorney for a party to the record, so long as the notary is not also a party to the record individually or in some other representative or fiduciary capacity. A notary who is an employee of a party shall not be disqualified under this subdivision solely because of the notary’s employment by a party to the record or solely because the notary owns stock in a party to the record … The notary will receive directly from a transaction connected with the notarial act any commission, fee, advantage, right, title, interest, cash, property, or other consideration exceeding in value the fees specified in G.S. 10B-31, other than fees or other consideration paid for services rendered by a licensed attorney, a licensed real estate broker or salesperson, a motor vehicle dealer, or a banker” (GS 10B-20[c][5] and [6]).

Jack Crawford

14 Jan 2025

When presented with this request my reply is that "California law requires that my signature, notarial seal and notarial wording must all appear on the same page. I cannot place my seal on each individual page."

ALTAGRACIA A URREA

13 Jan 2025

what is the answer if the hospital in California wants all pages notarized? I know that we only if we are notarizing 1 signature, and is it legal to notarize all pages when it is requested by the person that is signing the document

Hello. According to the CA Secretary of State's Notary newsletter: “Your official seal must be placed in its entirety on the same page as the notarial certificate. Do not place an impression of the seal on every page of a document or fan the pages of the document and place an impression of the seal across all pages” “A notary public may not stamp with the official seal any pages other than the page with a completed notarial certificate”

Jennie Smith

I’m curious to know this answer for Missouri.

Hello. Missouri law states, “Near the notary’s official signature on each paper notarial certificate, the notary shall affix a sharp, legible, permanent, and photographically reproducible image of the official seal” (RSMo 486.730.1.).

Gunjan Parikh

Stamp alone should not be put on each page. If it is their requirement, notarize signature of the affiant on each page with proper statement and make every page a notarial act. Please advise if this is wrong.

Kristen

06 Jan 2025

This isn't just an international thing. I've notarized for POAs in a nursing home and the administrator insists that every page be stamped. She said that the county accepts the multiple stamps as proof that all of the pages were included and accounted for at the time the resident signed. I don't know if this is common nursing home or hospital practice, but it didn't seem to bother anyone, including the county?!? Is this illegal, or does this put my commission in jeopardy in any way? Or is this a gray area, that I should try to avoid or refuse?

07 Jan 2025

Hello. To help us answer your question, can you please tell us what state you are commissioned in?

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