Posted by Marian_in_CA on 8/16/10 10:26pm
Msg #349256

"Clerical Fees" -- huh?

I was browsing about and came upon a website for a Pennsylvania notary service.

On the site, with their fees, they note, "There is a $5 (per notarization) clerical fee for all work done by our notaries."

They also note travel fees.

But "Clerical Fees" for every notarization?

I know there are a lot of you PA folks out there so I have to ask if this is legit.

I know that you are allowed to charge clerical fees "for services... provided in addition to the notarization of a document such as copying documents, postage, phone calls or completing forms."

I would think that you would have to note that a clerical fee *may* apply if any of those activities are involved. But, if you aren't doing any of those things, how can you charge the fee and arbitrarily add it on for every notarization?

Reply by HARRY_PA on 8/17/10 7:27am
Msg #349274

Marian:

True clerical fees may be charged at the discretion of the notary. Like so many things this is widely abused. A notary with whom I am acquainted was told that he had carte blanche to charge a clerical fee, just because. A customer complained to our Secretary of the Commonwealth (SOS) and his commission was suspended for 6 months. Our customers are to be told the cost of the notarization and line item any clerical fees. Perhaps the notary service you cite is banking on never being reported. That is just bad business.

Harry

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 8/17/10 11:28am
Msg #349302

Thanks, Harry...

I knew it seemed a bit odd. I mean, I know that there is no limitation to clerical fees that you can charge... but as you said, they should be itemized.

It just seemed really off to me when I saw they they charge a flat rate for each notarization. My "hinky" vibe set in, so that's why I asked.

As a consumer, that would tick me off and I would report them if I got anything notarized in PA.... but that's just me. I'm sure that most people in PA don't realize the rules for charging those fees.

Reply by goodgirl on 8/17/10 12:26pm
Msg #349311

WHAT????
PA Notaries are permitted to charge "clerical fees" but you don't tack a "clerical fee" on top of the notarization fee which is $5 - set by the state of PA.
How about private e-mailing me with the site's addy. This is one I would love to see.