In response to rising costs of living and doing business, California has raised the maximum fees its Notaries may charge for common notarial services by $5, effective January 1, 2027.
California Assembly Bill 1597, authored by Assembly Member Leticia Castillo and supported by the NNA, is the first increase to Notary fees in the state since 2017.
The bill was introduced to counter rapidly rising insurance and continuing education expenses for Notaries, as well as rising fuel and living costs. The NNA and other supporters of the fee increase told legislators that these rising costs have led to a decline in the number of active Notaries available for services in California over the past decade, making a fee adjustment necessary to help maintain public access to Notary services.
Starting in January, maximum Notary fees in California are raised as follows:
- For taking an acknowledgment or proof of a deed or other instrument, administering an oath or affirmation, and executing the jurat is increased from $15 to $20.
- For taking a deposition is raised from $30 to $35.
- For administering the oath or affirmation for a deposition is increased from $7 to a maximum of $12.
- For the notarial certificate for a deposition is raised from $7 to $12.
- For certifying a copy of a power of attorney document, the maximum fee has been raised from $15 to $20.
California Notaries may still choose to charge lower fees than the state-set maximum at their discretion. However, Notaries in the Golden State are still prohibited from charging fees to notarize vote-by-mail ballots and when notarizing applications for U.S. military veterans’ benefits.
David Thun is the Editorial Manager at the National Notary Association.