Pennsylvania Notary Fees: $5 Max Per Signature (2026)

Quick answer: Pennsylvania notaries can charge a maximum of $5 per notarial act (per signature). A mobile notary in Pennsylvania typically costs $50 to $150 total including travel. Many Pennsylvania banks notarize for free for account holders.

Pennsylvania Maximum Notary Fee Per Signature

Pennsylvania’s Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (57 Pa.C.S. Section 327) sets the maximum notary fee at $5.00 per notarial act. This applies to acknowledgments, jurats (oaths/affirmations), verifications, copy certifications, and other standard notarial acts.

Pennsylvania sits in the lower-middle range nationally at $5 per act — matching Illinois ($5) and Ohio ($5). It is above New York ($2) and below Florida ($10), California ($15), and Texas ($6.25).

What counts as one act? Each signature that needs notarizing is a separate notarial act. If you have three documents requiring notarized signatures, that is three acts at $5 each = $15 total. Pennsylvania’s fee schedule also allows notaries to charge up to $5 for certifying or attesting a copy and for administering an oath or affirmation.

Pennsylvania notaries may charge less than $5 but cannot exceed it. Banks and credit unions throughout Pennsylvania routinely offer notary services at no charge for account holders. For a full comparison across all 50 states, see our complete guide to notary costs. Neighboring Ohio also caps fees at $5 and New York is just $2.

Mobile Notary Costs in Pennsylvania

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

Service	Philadelphia / Pittsburgh	Suburban / Rural PA
Standard daytime (within 15 mi)	$50–$100 total	$40–$75 total
Evening or weekend	$75–$150 total	$50–$125 total
Rush / same-day	$100–$175 total	$75–$125 total
Hospital or care facility visit	$100–$175 total	$75–$150 total
Late night or holiday	$150–$250 total	$100–$200 total

These totals include both the $5 per-act fee and the travel charge. A mobile notary who charges a $70 travel fee plus the $5 per-act fee would cost $75 for one signature or $85 for three signatures.

Philadelphia area pricing is the highest in the state due to parking costs, traffic, and urban logistics. Expect $65–$125 for a standard weekday mobile notary appointment in Philadelphia, and $100–$175+ for evenings and weekends. The surrounding suburbs (Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, and Bucks counties) are slightly less.

Pittsburgh area pricing is moderate compared to Philadelphia, typically running $50–$100 for standard weekday appointments and $75–$150 for evenings and weekends.

Central and rural Pennsylvania — including Harrisburg, Allentown, Scranton, Erie, and the state’s large rural areas — generally offers the most affordable mobile notary rates, in the $40–$85 range for standard appointments.

Where to Get Free Notary Services in Pennsylvania

Banks and credit unions — PNC, Citizens, M&T Bank, Wells Fargo, and most credit unions offer free notarization to account holders. PNC, headquartered in Pittsburgh, has a strong presence across the state.
AAA offices — Members can access free notary services at Pennsylvania branch locations. AAA has offices across the state.
Your employer — Large Pennsylvania employers in healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing often have notaries on staff.
Public libraries — Some Pennsylvania library systems offer notary services. Free Library of Philadelphia and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branches are worth calling.
UPS Store — Widely available across Pennsylvania. Typically charges $5 per signature (the state maximum).
Elected officials — In Pennsylvania, state legislators and some local officials can notarize documents. Contact your state representative’s office.

For more options, see our complete guide to free notary services.

Pennsylvania Notary Journal Requirements

Pennsylvania requires notaries to maintain a chronological journal of all notarial acts. Key requirements:

Mandatory: All Pennsylvania notaries must keep a journal
Required entries: Date and time, type of notarial act, description of the document, name and address of each signer, evidence of identity used, fee charged
Format: May be a physical bound book or an electronic journal
Retention: Must be retained for 10 years after the date of the last entry
Inspection: The journal must be made available for inspection by the Secretary of the Commonwealth upon request

Pennsylvania takes journal compliance seriously, and failure to maintain one can result in disciplinary action. For the full state-by-state comparison, see our notary journal requirements guide.

Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania authorized remote online notarization under Act 97 of 2020, which amended the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts. The state has a functional RON framework.

Fully authorized: Pennsylvania has comprehensive RON legislation in place
Typical RON cost: $25–$50 per session through platforms like Notarize or Proof
Requirements: Government-issued photo ID, knowledge-based authentication (KBA) questions, stable internet connection, audio/video capability
Commission requirement: Pennsylvania notaries must register with the Department of State to perform RON in addition to holding a standard notary commission

RON is especially useful in Pennsylvania given the state’s large rural areas where the nearest mobile notary may be a long drive. A $25–$50 online session can save significant travel costs compared to booking a mobile notary in central or northern PA.

Loan Signing Agent Fees in Pennsylvania

When you are buying or refinancing a home in Pennsylvania, the loan signing agent is typically paid by the title company, not by you directly.

Signing Type	Agent Fee	You Pay
Standard refinance	$75–$125	Included in closing costs
Purchase closing	$75–$150	Included in closing costs
HELOC / second lien	$50–$100	Included in closing costs

Pennsylvania does not require an attorney to be present at real estate closings, though many buyers in the Philadelphia area use one. The signing agent handles the document signing and notarization. You will see a “notary fee” line on your closing disclosure, but you do not negotiate this directly.

How to Save Money on Notarization in Pennsylvania

Check your bank first. Free notarization for account holders is the easiest way to save the $5 per-act fee. See our guide to getting a document notarized for what to bring.
Plan ahead. Rush and after-hours fees can turn a simple $5 notarization into a $125+ mobile visit. Schedule during business hours.
Batch your documents. Bring everything to one appointment to avoid repeat travel fees.
Use RON. Pennsylvania’s RON authorization means a $25 online session can replace a $75+ mobile visit, especially if you are in a rural area.
Compare mobile notary quotes. Use FindNotary.io to find and compare notaries near you.

Pennsylvania Notary Fee FAQ

Can a Pennsylvania notary charge more than $5?

No. The $5 per notarial act maximum is set by Pennsylvania law (57 Pa.C.S. Section 327). Exceeding it is a violation that can result in suspension or revocation. Mobile notary travel fees are separate and unregulated.

How much does a mobile notary cost in Philadelphia?

Expect $65–$125 for a standard weekday appointment in Philadelphia, and $100–$175 for evenings, weekends, or rush service. Parking and traffic in Center City and surrounding neighborhoods are the main cost drivers.

Is notarization free at Pennsylvania banks?

Most major banks in Pennsylvania offer free notary services to account holders. PNC, Citizens, and M&T are widely available. Call ahead to confirm a notary is available at your branch.

Does Pennsylvania require a notary journal?

Yes. Pennsylvania requires all notaries to maintain a chronological journal of every notarial act with detailed entries. Journals must be retained for 10 years after the last entry.

Does Pennsylvania allow online notarization?

Yes. Pennsylvania authorized remote online notarization (RON) in 2020. Notaries must register with the Department of State to perform RON. You can get documents notarized via video call for $25–$50 per session through approved platforms.

Find a notary near you in Pennsylvania: Philadelphia · Pittsburgh · Allentown · Erie · Harrisburg · Scranton

Compare other states: Ohio notary fees ($5) · New York notary fees ($2) · Illinois notary fees ($5) · Florida notary fees ($10)