Allowable Texas Notary Fees

• Should a Texas notary keep records of notarial fees charged?
• How much can I charge?
• Do I have to post fees?
• My employer is keeping the notary fees I collect. Is that legal?
• Can a Texas notary charge a fee for traveling or other expenses related to the notarization request?
• Are fees taxable?

• Should a Texas notary keep records of notarial fees charged?

  Yes. Texas Notaries are required to keep records of all fees charged. Most record books include a space to record the notarial fees charged.
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• How much can I charge?

  Although notary fees are optional, Texas law sets the maximum fees that notaries may charge for their services. Notaries are also required to post their fees for the public, and you should give a written itemized invoice for your notarial services.

  The maximum allowable fees a Texas notary or their employer may charge for notarial acts are as follows:

  • For protesting a bill or note for nonacceptance or nonpayment, register and seal: $4
  • For each notice of protest: $1
  • For protesting in all other cases: $4
  • For certificate and seal to a protest: $4
  • For taking the acknowledgment or proof of a deed or other instrument in writing, for registration, including certificate and seal;
      For the first signature: $10
      For each additional signature: $1
  • For administering an oath or affirmation with certificate and seal: $10
  • For a certificate under seal not otherwise provided for: $10
  • For a copy of a record or paper in the notary public’s office (for each page): $1
  • For taking the deposition of a witness (for each 100 words): $1
  • For swearing a witness to a deposition, certificate, seal, and other business connected with taking the deposition: $10
  • For a notarial act not provided for: $10

  
  An online notary public or their employer may charge a fee not to exceed $25 for performing an online notarization in addition to any other fees authorized under Tex. Gov’t. Code Ann. §406.024.

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• Do I have to post fees?

  If you are going to charge a fee, the law requires you to keep fees posted at all times in a prominent location visible to your notary clients. To order a fee schedule to post in your area, click here.
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• My employer is keeping the notary fees I collect. Is that legal?

  Texas law gives the employer a say in how much to charge, if anything, as long as the customer is not charged over the legal amount. Texas law does not specify who keeps the fees. So be sure to reach an agreement with your employer on this issue.
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• Can a Texas notary charge a fee for traveling or other expenses related to the notarization request?

  We recommend that you always prepare a detailed bill for any services you perform as a Texas public. Discuss your fees with the signers before performing the notarial act to avoid confusion or conflict afterward. Always provide a written receipt for fees charged, completely separating any non-notary business fees, such as travel expenses, from the actual notary fees charged.
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• Are fees taxable?

  Your fees, if not turned in to your employer, are taxable. Please consult your tax advisor for details.
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Legal disclaimer: The American Association of Notaries makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this page. Information on this page is not intended as legal advice. We are not attorneys. We do not pretend to be attorneys. Though we will sometimes provide information regarding federal laws and statutes and the laws and statutes of each state, we have gathered this information from various sources. We do not warrant the information gathered from those sources. It is your responsibility to know the appropriate laws governing your state. Notaries are advised to seek the advice of an attorney in their states if they have legal questions about how to perform notarial acts.