Posted by Sandra McDowell on 12/12/07 6:24pm
Msg #225717

Fee

I have a signing tonight for a child custody agreement paper. The address is less than 10minutes, one document to be signed. I am keeping my standard rate of $125. Is this reasonable?

Reply by Becca_FL on 12/12/07 6:26pm
Msg #225718

Sandra, Please read your Florida manual page 9 n/m

Reply by Sandra McDowell on 12/12/07 6:33pm
Msg #225721

Re: Sandra, Please read your Florida manual page 9

I am not see. Fees for notary service $20. I am a mobile notary????

Reply by CaliNotary on 12/12/07 6:47pm
Msg #225724

Re: Sandra, Please read your Florida manual page 9

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mobile

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/notary

Reply by LKT/CA on 12/12/07 6:47pm
Msg #225725

Yes, you are a mobile Notary if you are going to your client's location instead of the client coming to your location. Not sure where you're located but in CA the charge is $10 per notarization. Travel fees are at the discretion of the Notary and typically time of day and distance of travel are factored in.

2 Sundays ago, I notarized a Will, Trust, Medical Directives, etc. with an attorney present. Charged the client $40 travel fee plus the 8 notarizations ($80) and I drove 38 miles one way. This was accomplished in exactly one hour.

You say the client is less than 10 mins away and one document to be signed ? If you were doing the job at midnight, $125 would be reasonable. If you are doing the job during normal waking hours (before 10pm), it seems like a lot to me.

Reply by Floridasand on 12/12/07 7:05pm
Msg #225728

I am doing the job at 10:45 pm tonight. I read the maunal the cost of the doc is $10.00, however, the cost for travel was factor in to the $125 cost. I have made it clear to the customer. who gets off work at 9:45 and wants me to come to their home after 10 pm.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 12/12/07 7:07pm
Msg #225729

I do not think $115 is a REASONABLE travel fee.

Reply by LKT/CA on 12/12/07 7:32pm
Msg #225740

For a 10:45pm appt, 10 mins away, one notarization, I would charge $100 total. That's just me.

Not sure why the client waited that late to have doc notarized, but they have to pay for an "after hours" house call.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 12/12/07 6:53pm
Msg #225726

You could be reported to the SOS office and lose your commission!!!
You are only allowed to charge a fee of $10 per document, plus REASONABLE travel fee which has to be agreed upon by the signer in advance.

I see you have only had your commission since March, but this is something you would have learned before being commissioned

Reply by Floridasand on 12/12/07 7:10pm
Msg #225730

I have over 18 years of Banking experience. Thank you. I pose the question because of the distance less than 10 min. Due to fact that I am traveling at night is why I ask if the mileage and time of day matters because I do not travel after 8pm. however, because not oneelse would come to them and they need the doc notarized for court at 7:30am tomorrow.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 12/12/07 7:11pm
Msg #225732

Just be careful it doesn't come back to bite you in the butt.

Reply by Floridasand on 12/12/07 7:14pm
Msg #225733

Thank you sylvia. You were not helpful in this matter. But Ca was. I am going to charge the usually and customary fee for the doc plus travel cost.

Reply by spnotaryplus on 12/12/07 7:17pm
Msg #225734

Re: I thought Sylvia was very helpful....JMO n/m

Reply by CaliNotary on 12/12/07 7:24pm
Msg #225737

Typical "gratitude" we often see in here

You're only considered helpful when you tell them what they want to hear.

I don't even know why she bothered to ask the question since everybody told her the fee was unreasonable (which it absolutely is) and she apparently still thinks it's acceptable to charge that much.

I hope she hasn't told them the fee in advance and when she gets out there they give her hell and refuse to pay that much.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 12/12/07 7:37pm
Msg #225744

I think I will call the SOS tomorrow and clarify my advice, and ask if $115 is a REASONABLE travel fee for a 10 minute trip. They may be interested in knowing what you are charging. Watch this doesn't bite you in the butt as I have said.

Reply by LKT/CA on 12/12/07 7:41pm
Msg #225748

Add that the appt time is 10:45PM!!! n/m

Reply by Becca_FL on 12/12/07 7:39pm
Msg #225746

I think you are taking advantage of the situation

and that shows a lack of integrity. IMO

Reply by spnotaryplus on 12/12/07 7:50pm
Msg #225753

Re: I think you are taking advantage of the situation

I agree. I once had an 11:30pm notarization one Friday night and I had to travel into Brooklyn to perform the signing. It was for a Chef company. I charged the basic fee per manual for a signature, bridge toll, the gas price and charge per mile and that was good enough. My trip was 20 minutes oneway and I did not come close to xxx.xx, I was content with it. What goes around comes around and it can bite you in the rear but with interest when it does come around.

JMO

Reply by desktopfull on 12/12/07 7:59pm
Msg #225757

Your banking experience has nothing to do with notary experience. Your fee is definitely unreasonable, and if this fee is reported to a Judge in association with a required doc being presented, good luck on the judge not reporting you. Anything over $2.00 per mile is unreasonable in my book no matter what time your doing the notarization. Why would you take the advise of a California notary over those of us in Florida? They know nothing about the FL notary laws. But, the others are right it could come back to bite you in the butt, however, you can't say you weren't warned by many if you wind up refunding the fee and losing your commission.

Reply by Philip Johnson on 12/12/07 8:35pm
Msg #225772

"Anything over $2.00 per mile is unreasonable in my book "

I assume that you don't do a lot of "other than mortgage" notarizations? I'm not going to meet anyone @ 1030 PM for $20.00. They'll just have to wait till morning and speak to the friendly at UPS/KINKO folks.

Reply by LKT/CA on 12/12/07 8:56pm
Msg #225779

EXACTLY !!!

Thank you !!!

Reply by desktopfull on 12/12/07 9:01pm
Msg #225782

Re: So you think $23.00 per mile is reasonable?

Assuming she's going 5 miles, she's charging $23.00 per mile. I'm sure that meets the State requirements of "reasonable and customary" travel fees.

Reply by Becca_FL on 12/12/07 9:06pm
Msg #225784

Re: "Anything over $2.00 per mile is unreasonable in my book

I'm normally not one to talk about my fees on a public forum, but I wouldn't do the job @10:30 pm for $20 either. I would not charge $125 either. My normal trip fees for general notary work range from $25-$45 depending on my mood, what I'm doing or not doing, how far I need to drive and how generous I'm feeling. With that said, I do charge an after hours fee, but still would not charge a single mother (just guessing here) in a desperate situation a premium of $125. Twenty five minutes of my time tonight would be worth about $75 and I feel that is very reasonable.

Reply by desktopfull on 12/12/07 9:12pm
Msg #225787

Re: "Anything over $2.00 per mile is unreasonable in my book

Becca, I was talking about the mileage fee only, a ten minute drive could be anywhere from 3 to 7 miles depending upon traffic lights etc. $20.00 for mileage and $10.00 for the document is what I figured. Anything over $50.00 is taking advantage of the situation. If I were these people I would find a 24 hr. Kinkos and take the document there and get it notarized as to pay those unreasonable fees this notary requested and file a complaint with the governors office the next day.

Reply by Philip Johnson on 12/12/07 9:31pm
Msg #225796

I was called by the SOS office once for something similar

The "client" wouldn't believe that I was not a state employee and kept saying "why do I pay these d**n taxes"? When I told her what I charged she called Olympia and told them that I was shaking her down as a state employee. The SOS and I got a pretty big laugh about it. The funny thing was I was charging her less than the state minimum per signature, so I'm sure she paid more at UPS/FEDEX.

Reply by Becca_FL on 12/12/07 9:35pm
Msg #225798

Re: "Anything over $2.00 per mile is unreasonable in my book

A 24 Hour Notary, out of my home town of Sacramento, CA advertises in the Yellow Pages all over Florida. Their fees are $45 trip fee, $10 per notarization and a $25 after hours fee. After hours, in their book is after 8pm M-F, after 5pm Saturday and all day Sunday.

As I said, my trip fee is LARGELY based on my current situation and the customers situation. I always try to be flexible, honest and fair. After all, Fair IS my name.

Reply by desktopfull on 12/12/07 10:06pm
Msg #225803

Re: "Anything over $2.00 per mile is unreasonable in my book

That's reasonable for CA.

Reply by MikeC/NY on 12/12/07 7:23pm
Msg #225736

You're a notary, not a plumber

No disrespect meant to plumbers, but as someone commissioned by the state you don't have the luxury of setting a minimum fee for your services (loan signings aside, since they involve a lot more than just being a notary). The state determines what you can charge per notarial act; most states allow a REASONABLE fee for travel or other costs.

$125 to travel less than 20 minutes round-trip to notarize 2 signatures on a single document - what would you think if the tables were turned and it was YOU being handed that bill? Would that sound reasonable to you?

Reply by LKT/CA on 12/12/07 7:39pm
Msg #225745

And if people want "after hours" house calls...

....they pay for the convenience of it.

If they want to pay less, they can have their papers notarized between normal business hours 9am - 5pm. I'm sure the $125 she mentioned included the notarization.

The word "reasonable" here when it comes to travel fees is completely relative.

Reply by MikeC/NY on 12/12/07 7:53pm
Msg #225755

Re: And if people want "after hours" house calls...

Unless you're going out at 3 AM for an emergency notarization, there's no way you can justify a $100+ travel fee for a 10 minute trip to notarize a single document.

<< I'm sure the $125 she mentioned included the notarization. >>

Well, that's a comfort...

Reply by CaliNotary on 12/12/07 7:55pm
Msg #225756

Re: And if people want "after hours" house calls...

"The word "reasonable" here when it comes to travel fees is completely relative."

You're absolutely right. But in no way, shape or form is a travel fee of over $100 to travel 5 or 6 miles anywhere in the realm of reasonable. Even if it is at 10:45 pm. $50 plus the cost of notarizations would be reasonable.

Reply by Floridasand on 12/12/07 8:57pm
Msg #225780

Re: And if people want "after hours" house calls...

Thank you.

Reply by PAW on 12/12/07 8:01pm
Msg #225758

Keywords ... Reasonable and Customary

I don't know whether or not other counties have rules about convenience fees, but when I got my Occupational License (as required in Pasco County), I was told that the travel fees must conform to the "reasonable and customary fees" that are charged by the industry in my area. I'm assuming that many other counties may have this rule as well. The maximum that can be charged for the notarization is $10 (one document, one seal). The rest is considered a convenience fee.

The following is an excerpt from the Florida Governor's Reference Manual for Notaries (2001):

Remember, though, you cannot exceed the maximum fees allowed by law — up to $10 per notarial act or up to $20 [ed. fee changed to $30 in 2003] for solemnizing marriage. If you are asked to travel 25 miles to a hospital in a neighboring town, are you willing to do it? If so, you may want to charge your customary fee for the notarization and a small fee for travel expense. In performing a marriage ceremony, will you provide additional services, such as flowers, photographer, wedding cake, etc.? If so, you have a right to be compensated for these extras. However, make sure that your customer understands your fees prior to performing the services. We recommend that you always give an itemized receipt for your services. Receipts also provide you with reliable records for income tax preparation.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 12/12/07 8:37pm
Msg #225773

Re: And if people want "after hours" house calls...

When you advertise 24 hour service, then what can be considered "after hours"?????

Reply by LKT/CA on 12/12/07 9:01pm
Msg #225781

Re: And if people want "after hours" house calls...

Ok....look in the phone book, look up a 24 hour plumber and ask him what he charges to fix a leaky water pipe at 2pm....THEN ask him what he charges to fix that same leaky water pipe at 2AM.........

Call a locksmith and give him the same scenario (substituting changing the locks).

I strongly doubt they are the same fee.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 12/12/07 8:28pm
Msg #225768

What in the @#$% are you THINKING?!?!?!

No, you're not thinking!

There are no words that I can Post that are strong enough to convey the contempt with which I hold you. "Greedy b****" only begins it.

I am truly appalled that the question was even contemplated, let along asked in public.

Reply by Philip Johnson on 12/12/07 8:42pm
Msg #225774

Bit judgemental there aren't you?

Two parties made an agreement and there does not seem to be any heartache. Let's say this form absolutely has to be notarized with today's date and they don't get off work till 10:00. If it was me and it had to be done, I'd be grateful someone said yes and that they agreed to show up.

Gosh their are people on this forum that talk about charging $250-$300 to do reverse mortgages with our elderly and I haven't seen a great deal of outrage about that.

Reply by PAW on 12/12/07 9:03pm
Msg #225783

Big difference between a RM doc set and 1 page doc.

Disregarding travel, there is no comparison of the time required for a single notarial act that takes NO preparation and NO post work than that of doing a RM signing. It's the difference between apples and watermelons.

Reply by Philip Johnson on 12/12/07 9:12pm
Msg #225786

Still both are fruit

At least the person in this transaction got the opportunity to negotiate the fee and could have said no thanks. While the old folks had no say at all and were just billed.
Is the fee excessive? Probably. I would if I were her at the end of the deal take half and wish them Merry Christmas and go on my merry way, leaving a happy customer.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 12/12/07 9:15pm
Msg #225788

Re: Still both are fruit

Possible that they felt they had no choice but to pay the exhorbitant fee.
I would classify it as extortion!

Reply by desktopfull on 12/12/07 9:19pm
Msg #225790

Re: Still both are fruit

I agree. Wonder if they will present the notary's bill with the document in court tomorrow letting the judge know exactly what the notarized doc cost them?

Reply by Philip Johnson on 12/12/07 9:21pm
Msg #225791

Extortion?

Who called whom? I would imagine that the client called her and that they had perhaps already had called a number of notaries who passed cause it was too late.
I don't know where she resides, but I would imagine there is a boat load of notaries in the yellow pages or on line that they could have called. She maybe the only one to say yes.

Reply by desktopfull on 12/12/07 9:26pm
Msg #225794

Re: Extortion?

The risk of losing my commission isn't worth the fee.

Reply by Becca_FL on 12/12/07 9:27pm
Msg #225795

Re: Extortion? Yes, extortion, IMO

495 mobile notaries found meeting your criteria. Displaying the first 25 Premier members and the first 25 Basic members within 20 miles of:
Postal Code: 33055
County: Miami-Dade
State: Florida

Reply by Philip Johnson on 12/12/07 9:33pm
Msg #225797

Then dial for dollars till you find the cheapest one.

Who knows she may have been the cheapest one?

Reply by desktopfull on 12/12/07 10:05pm
Msg #225802

Re: Then dial for dollars till you find the cheapest one.

I doubt that.

Reply by Becca_FL on 12/12/07 9:08pm
Msg #225785

Jeez Ernest...don't hold back. LOL n/m

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 12/12/07 9:18pm
Msg #225789

Re: Based on this fee I'd be curious to see

what she charges for a 9:00 or 10:00 pm full loan signing (or FHA loan signing)...

I agree with the majority - $125 is way out of line here ...

Reply by Susan Fischer on 12/12/07 10:30pm
Msg #225804

One gal laughed out loud when I told her my fee of $30 for

a signle doc at the hospital, just down the road, one Saturday afternoon.

She pulled out a hundred, slipped it in my hand, and gave me a hug.

Some people tip, some don't. Some pay, some won't.

It is a free market out there, and 'charge what the traffic will bear' is the by-word. Reasonable to some will be quite unreasonable to others.

Anything after 9 PM is a accomodation. Accomodations can be expensive. If you're the only game in town, you're expensive; and theoretically, if there is competition, prices fall. It's the way of it.

If the customers are willing to pay for the convenience, let them pay. On the other hand, if your gut tells you it would be a hardship, follow your heart.

The fact of your question leads one to think your gut may be telling you something.

Reply by WDMD on 12/13/07 6:03am
Msg #225825

Re: One gal laughed out loud when I told her my fee of $30 for

Wow, some of these states really let you screw someone for doing a public service. Here in Maryland we can charge $2 per notarization, plus 31 cents per mile, and a $5 travel charge. Under the scenario here assuming one notarization and a 10 mile travel each way I could charge a whopping $13.20.

Of course there are many around here who pay no attention to what they can legally charge. I really think alot of them around here have no idea what they can charge legally. I doubt many of them have ever read their handbook. All they seem to know is what they can get for doing a signing, and want to use that as a guideline for general notarizations.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 12/13/07 10:28am
Msg #225866

Re: One gal laughed out loud when I told her my fee of $30 for

"Of course there are many around here who pay no attention to what they can legally charge. I really think alot of them around here have no idea what they can charge legally. I doubt many of them have ever read their handbook. All they seem to know is what they can get for doing a signing, and want to use that as a guideline for general notarizations."

Since this is under my comment, is it directed at me? Are you saying I "screw" the public?" Are you saying I don't know what I can "legally charge" and have never read the Oregon Handbook?

Reply by WDMD on 12/13/07 10:43am
Msg #225870

Re: One gal laughed out loud when I told her my fee of $30 for

Just because it is under your comment does not mean it was directed at you. I was referring to notaries in my state as I was commenting on what I could legally charge in my state. The only reason I posted under yours was so my post would not get lost in the middle of all the other postings.

Reply by WDMD on 12/13/07 10:58am
Msg #225873

Re: One gal laughed out loud when I told her my fee of $30 for

I would like to add,so there is no confusion, that my screw comment was directed at the, IMO, excessive fee being discussed. In my state it is my understanding that notary publics are public officials who provide a service at a nominal fee for it's citizens. I do not think that in my state it was ever contemplated that one would try to make a living doing notarizations. If my state did allow me to charge a "reasonable" rate for travel I do not think in good conscience I could charge someone $100 or more for traveling 20 miles round trip for one document. Even in an emergency situation.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 12/13/07 12:24pm
Msg #225893

Fair enough. n/m