California · Gov Code §8211

California notary fees:
$15 max per signature.

State law caps notary fees at $15 per signature for acknowledgments and jurats. Travel fees are separate. Here's what you'll actually pay — and how to find a verified CA notary.

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Acknowledgment/jurat: $15 max

RON: $15 max

Proof of execution: $30 max

Source: Cal. Gov Code §8211

What's the maximum notary fee in California?

California notaries can charge up to $15 per signature under California Government Code §8211. Specifically:

$15 per acknowledgment (per signature)
$15 per jurat
$15 per signature witnessed or attested
$15 per certified copy of power of attorney
$30 per proof of execution (involves subscribing witness)

The fee is per signature, not per document. If a document has 3 signers, the cap is $45 for that document. Remote Online Notarization (authorized in California by SB 696, effective 2024) uses the same $15 per act cap — RON platforms add a separate technology fee.

What you'll actually pay in California

Service	Notarial act	Other fees	Typical total
Walk-in (bank, UPS Store, AAA)	$0–$15	None	$0–$15
Mobile notary (they come to you)	$15/signature	Travel $35–$125	$50–$175
Loan signing	$15 × 6–12 acts	Print/travel/scanback	$125–$200
Remote Online Notarization (RON)	$15/act	Platform fee	$25–$45
Free community notary (library, AAA members, credit union)	$0	None	Free

Source: Cal. Gov Code §8211, §8223. Travel fees must be disclosed and agreed in writing (§8223).

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Mobile, in-office, or remote — your call. Free to you; notaries set their own fees (state-capped).

Mobile notary travel fees in California

California Gov Code §8223 explicitly permits travel fees — but they must be agreed to in writing in advance. There's no statutory cap, so market rates prevail. A notary can't quote a surprise travel fee after arriving.

Typical travel fees across California:

Los Angeles / Orange County / San Diego: $50–$125 (traffic-driven)
San Francisco / Bay Area: $65–$150
Sacramento / Inland Empire / Central Valley: $40–$90
Rural counties: $35–$75 for first 15 miles, $2–$4/mile thereafter
After-hours / weekends: +$25–$75 surcharge
Hospital / care facility: often $100–$175 flat (extra time)

Loan signing fees in California

A California loan-signing package (refi, purchase, HELOC) typically runs $125–$200 total. Each notarization within the package is still capped at $15, but the signing agent fee covers printing 100–200 pages, travel, scanback, and time. Most CA refinance packages have 6–12 acknowledgments/jurats, so notarization alone is $90–$180 of the total.

Free notary options in California

Your bank or credit union — Chase, BofA, Wells Fargo, and most credit unions notarize free for account holders
AAA offices — free for AAA members (most common free option in CA)
Public libraries — LA, SF, San Diego, Sacramento county libraries often have free notary service
Courthouse self-help centers — free for court-related documents
Your employer — large CA employers often have a notary in HR or legal

Find a verified notary in your California city

Los Angeles notaries

Mobile & walk-in, traffic-adjusted travel $50–$125

San Francisco notaries

Bay Area mobile service, travel $65–$150

Sacramento notaries

State capital — loan signing & legal docs, travel $40–$90

San Diego notaries

Coastal metro, travel $50–$125

San Jose notaries

Silicon Valley mobile service, travel $65–$150

Oakland notaries

East Bay mobile service, travel $65–$150

Or browse all California cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum notary fee allowed in California?▾

California Government Code §8211 caps fees at $15 per signature for acknowledgments and jurats — the two most common notarial acts. This applies whether the notarization is done in an office, on a mobile visit, or via Remote Online Notarization (same $15 cap).

Can a California mobile notary charge a travel fee on top of the $15?▾

Yes. Under Gov Code §8223, a California notary may charge a separate travel fee, but it must be agreed to in writing in advance. The fee is market-rate and not statutorily capped for general mobile service. Typical travel fees in California run $35–$125 depending on distance, time of day, and traffic.

What is the maximum California fee for a loan signing?▾

Each notarial act within the loan package is capped at $15. A typical California loan signing has 6–12 acknowledgments/jurats, so the notarization portion caps at $90–$180. The signing agent's full fee (including printing, travel, scanback, time) is separately agreed and typically runs $125–$200 total.

Does Remote Online Notarization in California also cap at $15 per act?▾

Yes. California's RON statute (SB 696, effective 2024) applies the same $15 per act cap as in-person notarization. RON platforms also charge a technology fee that is separate from the notary's fee.

How much does a mobile notary typically cost in California?▾

Total cost ranges $50–$175 in California: $15 per signature + $35–$125 for travel, depending on location and timing. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego metros run higher ($75–$175) due to traffic. Inland/rural California is usually $50–$100.

What happens if a California notary charges more than $15 per signature?▾

Overcharging is a violation of Gov Code §8211. The California Secretary of State can suspend, revoke, or deny the commission, and the notary may be subject to a civil fine. Complaints are filed with the Secretary of State's Notary Public Division.

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