$2.50 Max Notary Fee in New Jersey (2026) | Mobile $50+

Quick answer: Under N.J.S.A. 22A:4-14, a New Jersey notary’s maximum fee is $2.50 per notarial act — among the lowest fixed caps in the United States, just above New York’s $2. A mobile notary in Newark, Jersey City, or Trenton typically costs $50–$150 total including travel; many New Jersey banks notarize for free for account holders.

New Jersey Maximum Notary Fee Per Signature

New Jersey Statute Annotated 22A:4-14 sets the maximum notary fee at $2.50 per notarial act. This applies uniformly to acknowledgments, jurats (oaths and affirmations), copy certifications, and other standard notarial acts. New Jersey’s $2.50 cap is the second-lowest fixed maximum in the country — only New York at $2 is lower. Compared to neighbors: Pennsylvania caps fees at $5, Delaware also at $5, Connecticut varies by act type, and New York remains the floor at $2.

What counts as one act? Each signature that needs notarizing is a separate notarial act. Three documents requiring notarized signatures = three acts at $2.50 each = $7.50 total in statutory fees. A New Jersey notary may charge less than $2.50 but cannot exceed it.

At rates this low, the per-signature fee is essentially a rounding error. The real cost in New Jersey — like in New York — is the mobile notary travel charge, which the state does not cap.

For a full comparison across all 50 states, see our complete guide to notary costs.

Mobile Notary Costs in New Jersey

When a New Jersey notary travels to your location, they charge a travel fee on top of the per-act fee. New Jersey does not regulate mobile notary travel fees.

Service	North Jersey (Newark, JC, Hoboken)	Central / South Jersey
Standard daytime (within 15 mi)	$60–$125 total	$50–$100 total
Evening or weekend	$85–$175 total	$65–$140 total
Rush / same-day	$100–$200 total	$75–$150 total
Hospital or care facility visit	$100–$200 total	$85–$160 total
Late night or holiday	$150–$275 total	$125–$225 total

These totals include both the $2.50 per-act fee (negligible) and the travel charge. A mobile notary who charges a $75 travel fee plus the $2.50 act fee would cost $77.50 for one signature or $82.50 for three signatures.

Newark and Hudson County pricing is the highest in the state because of dense urban congestion, parking costs, and the high concentration of legal and financial activity. Expect $75–$150 for a standard weekday appointment in Newark, Jersey City, or Hoboken.

Trenton and Mercer County see strong demand for state-government, healthcare, and real-estate document notarization. Standard mobile rates run $60–$125.

Camden, Atlantic City, and South Jersey are generally the most affordable, with standard mobile appointments in the $50–$100 range. Atlantic City casino-related notarization (gaming licenses, employee paperwork) is a niche but well-served market.

Princeton and Mercer/Middlesex corridor sees premium pricing because of the academic, pharmaceutical (Bristol-Myers, J&J, Merck), and corporate base — typical $75–$150 for standard appointments.

Where to Get Free Notary Services in New Jersey

Banks and credit unions — Wells Fargo, TD Bank, PNC, Bank of America, Valley Bank, Investors Bank, and most NJ credit unions offer free notarization to account holders. With the state cap at $2.50, many branches do not charge non-customers either.
AAA offices — Members can access free notary services at New Jersey branch locations (Edison, Hamilton, Wayne, and others).
NJMVC offices — Limited document types only (vehicle title transfers, certain DMV-related forms). Not a general-purpose notary, but free for in-scope documents.
Public libraries — Many New Jersey municipal libraries offer free notary service, though availability is branch-specific. Newark Public Library, Jersey City Free Public Library, and Trenton Free Public Library each have notary-on-staff at certain branches. Always call ahead.
Your employer — Law firms, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and large NJ employers often have notaries on staff for employees.
UPS Store and Staples — Most New Jersey UPS Stores have a notary on staff. Cost is typically $2.50 (the state max). Staples availability varies.

When You’ll Need a Mobile Notary in New Jersey

Despite the cheap statutory fee, a mobile notary is often the right answer in New Jersey because of:

Real estate closings — common for a notary to come to the title company office or a buyer/seller’s home, especially in Bergen, Hudson, and Monmouth counties where home prices and transaction volume are highest.
Hospital and hospice visits — see our notary at the hospital guide for the bedside protocol. Major NJ hospitals (Hackensack, Cooper, RWJ, Newark Beth Israel, Morristown) all see weekly bedside notary visits.
Corporate document signings — pharmaceutical, financial, and legal firms in the Princeton/Edison/Newark corridor frequently need notaries on-site for stock options, board resolutions, or contract acknowledgments.
Estate planning — POAs, advance directives, and trust documents are commonly signed at home with multiple family members and witnesses. NJ’s estate-planning industry is active given the state’s older population in many counties.
Loan signings — refinancing or HELOC closings often happen at the borrower’s home; signing agents charge $125–$225 for a complete loan signing package.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum notary fee in New Jersey per N.J.S.A. 22A:4-14?

New Jersey Statute Annotated 22A:4-14 caps the notary fee at $2.50 per notarial act. Each signature notarized counts as one act. The $2.50 cap is among the lowest in the United States and applies uniformly to acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, and copy certifications.

How much can a New Jersey notary charge per signature in 2026?

A New Jersey notary may charge up to $2.50 per signature notarized in 2026. This statutory cap under N.J.S.A. 22A:4-14 is unchanged from prior years. Mobile notary travel fees are separate and not regulated by the $2.50 cap.

Why is New Jersey’s notary fee so low?

The $2.50 maximum has not been updated in many decades. Several bills to raise the cap have been introduced in the New Jersey Legislature over the years but have not passed. As a result, the statutory fee is essentially symbolic — most in-office notarizations in New Jersey are effectively free, and the real cost lies in mobile travel charges, which are not capped.

Can a New Jersey notary charge more than $2.50?

No. The $2.50 per notarial act limit is set by N.J.S.A. 22A:4-14. Exceeding it is a violation that can result in suspension or revocation of the notary commission. Mobile notary travel fees are separate, however, and unregulated — that is where the real cost lies.

How much does a mobile notary cost in Newark or Jersey City?

Expect $75–$150 for a standard weekday appointment in Newark, Jersey City, or Hoboken, and $100–$200+ for evenings, weekends, or rush service. The dense urban geography and parking costs drive North Jersey pricing higher than other parts of the state.

Is notarization free at New Jersey banks?

Yes, at most major banks for account holders. Wells Fargo, TD Bank, PNC, Bank of America, Valley Bank, and Investors Bank all offer free notary services to customers. With the state cap at only $2.50, many branches do not even charge non-customers. Call the specific branch ahead of time to confirm a notary is on duty.

Does New Jersey allow remote online notarization?

Yes. New Jersey enacted permanent RON authority in 2021 (the “Notarial Acts Modernization Act”). New Jersey-commissioned notaries can perform RON for documents notarized for use in New Jersey or another state, subject to standard RON requirements (live audio-video session, KBA identity verification, recorded session retention). Learn more about remote online notarization.

Do I need a witness for a notarization in New Jersey?

Standard acknowledgments and jurats do not require witnesses beyond the notary. However, certain documents — advance directives, healthcare proxies, and some estate documents — do require additional witnesses under New Jersey law. The notary cannot serve as a witness in most cases. Check the specific document’s requirements before booking.

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Compare neighbor-state fees: New York ($2) · Pennsylvania ($5) · Florida ($10) · California ($15)