Posted by Timothy Lockwood on 4/19/11 9:35am
Msg #380395

What Would You Charge?

I have had my Notary for some time now. I do not use it as a business per say. I use it in my real estate investing business.
The 2 items that I notarize for all transactions are:
1) Memorandum of Contract for Sale and Purchase
2) Affidavit of Understanding, (basically a CYA Doc)

Since these 2 documents are not a standard closing Documents, I have no idea what to charge.
Any input would be helpful.
Thanks

Reply by MW/VA on 4/19/11 9:39am
Msg #380399

IMO you haven't provided enough info, but unless there is a travel fee involved, the only fee you can charge is the fee set by your state per notarization.
Also, if you are party to these transactions you shouldn't be notarizing it at all. I worked with a couple of investors who would call me when they were having people sign contracts.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 4/19/11 9:40am
Msg #380401

You can charge the state-allowed fees for acknowledgements or jurats:

Administering an oath/affirmation $2.50/ea
Executing a jurat $2.50/ea
Taking proof of a deed (proof of execution) $2.50/ea
Taking an acknowledgment $2.50/ea

http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/revenue/dcr/geninfo/notarymanual.shtml

You'll have to check your manual or with your SOS/Dept of Revenue to see if you're allowed to charge a travel fee.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 4/19/11 9:47am
Msg #380404

Yes..and beware of what Marilynn said about

notarizing anything in which you have an interest...MHO

Reply by A S Johnson on 4/19/11 9:46am
Msg #380403

Does not NJ have state posted Notary fees?
Travel to thier location, I charge a travel fee. Local area, less than 20 miles, min $30 for an hour of my time to get to the signing location. More if more than 20 miles.
You may try higher fee as you are in NJ and I am in Texas west of Ft Worth.

Reply by NJDiva on 4/19/11 10:34am
Msg #380414

If you're in NJ, the highest you can charge per notarization is $2.50. However, there is no cap on the travel fee.

Reply by FlaNotary2 on 4/19/11 11:07am
Msg #380419

You've "had your notary"? Not to be critical, but when

I hear a notary say "I have my notary", or "I did a notary", or "I lost my notary" - it immediately gives me the impression that the notary is unprofessional and doesn't know what they are doing.

A notary is not an object that you can "have" or "get". A notary is a person. You have a notary commission, and you are a notary. But you do not "have a notary".

As far as fees go, you can charge what your state authorizes.

Reply by topflyt on 4/19/11 2:21pm
Msg #380486

You can charge the legal amount for your state. Just make sure you take your investor hat off and put on your notary hat...you don't want to be related to any transactions that ypu notarize.