Maximizing Your Earnings: A Comprehensive Guide to How Notaries Get Paid in California

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California sets a cap on what notaries can charge per notarization, but there are several ways to increase your income beyond the basics. Here is how notaries in California get paid, and how to earn more.

California Notary Fee Limits

The Secretary of State sets maximum fees for notarial acts:

• Acknowledgments: $15 per signature
• Jurats: $15 per oath or affirmation
• Certified copies of powers of attorney: $15 per copy
• Depositions: $30 for taking the deposition, $7 for the oath, and $7 per certificate

You can charge less than these amounts but never more. Overcharging can result in fines and commission revocation. For the full breakdown, see how much a notary costs in California.

The fee is per signature, not per document. If a deed has two signers, each signing once, the maximum fee is $30 ($15 for each signer’s acknowledgment). If one person signs three documents, each requiring a separate acknowledgment, the maximum is $45.

What You Can Charge Beyond the Fee Cap

Travel fees

Travel fees are separate from notarization fees and are not regulated by the state. Most mobile notaries charge $25 to $75 for travel depending on distance and time of day. After-hours and weekend travel commands a premium ($50 to $100+). For a deeper comparison, see mobile notary vs. The UPS Store.

You must disclose the travel fee before the appointment. Quote it upfront when the client calls to book. California law requires that the notarization fee and travel fee be quoted separately so the client knows what is the state fee and what is your travel charge.

Loan signing fees

Loan signing agents handle mortgage closings. This pays $75 to $200 per appointment, far more than a standard notarization. The fee covers your time, expertise, notarizations within the loan package, printing costs, and travel to the signer. You need additional training. Notary Training School offers a signing agent course. See also our California signing agent course.

Apostille facilitation

Notaries do not issue apostilles (that is done by the Secretary of State), but you can charge a fee for helping clients prepare documents and delivering them to the SOS office. Typical facilitation fees run $100 to $250 per document. This is a convenience service for clients who need documents authenticated for international use.

How You Get Paid

How you collect payment depends on the type of work:

• General notary appointments: Collect at the time of service. Accept cash, check, Venmo, PayPal, or Square. Carry a card reader. Many clients do not carry cash.
• Signing service assignments: Most signing services pay by check or direct deposit within 2 to 4 weeks. Some faster services pay within a week. You submit an invoice after completing the signing.
• Direct title company clients: Typically pay by check within 2 to 4 weeks. You set the fee, not the signing service, so you keep more per job.

Always provide a receipt. For general notary work, a simple receipt with the date, type of notarization, fee charged, and your signature is sufficient. For signing agent work, the signing service or title company provides a 1099 at year end.

Tracking Income and Expenses

Most notaries operate as independent contractors, which means you are responsible for tracking your own income and expenses. Keep a separate business bank account if possible. Track every payment you receive and every expense you incur, including your bond, errors and omissions insurance, supplies, mileage, and continuing education.

Mileage is one of the largest deductions for mobile notaries. The IRS allows you to deduct a set rate per mile driven for business purposes. Log your starting and ending odometer readings for every appointment, or use a mileage tracking app. If you drive 10,000 business miles in a year at the current IRS rate, that deduction can save you hundreds on your tax bill.

Signing agents receive a 1099-NEC from each signing service that pays them $600 or more in a year. Keep copies of all invoices. If you work directly with title companies, they may also send 1099s. You report this income on Schedule C of your tax return.

Growing Your Client Base

More clients means more income. For a full breakdown, see our marketing tips for California notaries. The basics:

• Set up a Google Business Profile so people searching “notary near me” find you.
• List yourself on notary directories (123Notary, Notary Rotary).
• Drop off business cards at title companies, law offices, and real estate brokerages.
• Ask every client for a Google review.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can a notary charge in California?

$15 per signature for acknowledgments and jurats. Travel fees are separate and not regulated.

How much do loan signing agents make?

$75 to $200 per loan signing appointment. Full-time signing agents can earn $50,000 to $100,000+ per year.

Can I charge a travel fee?

Yes. California regulates notarization fees but not travel fees. Common travel fees range from $25 to $75. You must disclose the travel fee before the appointment.

Can notaries issue apostilles?

No. Apostilles are issued by the California Secretary of State. Notaries can help with the process by helping clients prepare and deliver documents.

What payment methods should I accept?

Cash, check, and digital payments (Venmo, PayPal, Square). Carry a card reader. Collect at the time of service for general notary work.

Is the fee per document or per signature?

Per signature. A document with two signers is $30 maximum ($15 each). Three documents signed by one person with separate acknowledgments is $45.