["My solution is to never charge for notarization, and derive all my income from print fees, travel fees..."]
I have also been leaning toward this "solution," since, it's a mute point for us to charge for the notarization - as we can only technically charge per Certificate. How many signers is that? As many as can be written in the certificate!
I recently notarized an attorney-prepared estate package which thankfully he mostly had the certificate complete with names of principal signer AND witnesses; the thing is he put it all in the One cert. Fine. However, when it came time to talk payment he suggested I "count" the notarizations (there were only 3). Previously, we had discussed during the booking.
I think he was trying to put me on the spot with the signers - and I didn't handle it the way I should have. I quoted the same fee we had discussed and gladly (and unapologetically) accepted my fee. My gut tells me he wanted me to give his clients a break (like, I'm sure he did, right?). I don't feel I overcharged HOWEVER given the same situation again I would have handled differently, throwing him off with: "My service fee is $60 - and that includes the cost of the tip for notarizing at your convenience."
I had a notary in the same city as signer say she started at $60 (I believe it was) just for the call. Uh, okay. When I told her the fee I quoted signer she asked if notary work was my FT job?!
And yes, you CA notaries have it good. The thing to remember, I think is that the VALUE of the notarization does not change across State lines. You have to do what makes sense in your community for the folks you are serving. |
