Posted by NJDiva on 8/30/11 2:30pm
Msg #395737

Need some suggestions please...

I just received a call for GN work. This gentleman said he needs 100 copies of different documents notarized.

Some of the doc's he mentioned were: Passport, school transcript, work verification doc's...

I told him that it was against the law for me to notarize some of the documents, two of those being a copy of his Passport and School Transcripts. I informed him I'm not sure what else he had, but I told him I would let him know when I see them.

However, I then told him that I could give him a certificate that states HE'S swearing that they are a copy and I'm swearing that he came before me and acknowledged their authenticity.

I've never done anything to this capacity before (100 notarizations), but I have no doubt this is going to be a VERY extensive, time consuming project.

A couple of questions:

1) How long do you think it would take to fill out 100 certificates and post in my journal?

2) Approximately how much do you think I should charge? Our max fee in NJ is $2.50 per notarization. I usually charge a minimal travel fee and include one notarization. I then charge so much for every notarization thereafter which includes a little more than $2.50 to make up the minimal travel fee, plus the additional time it takes. There is no limit to how much we can charge for a travel fee.

Please PM me what you might charge if you were me. I just need ball park figures. Nothing set in stone.

Thanks for your help everyone.

Reply by NJDiva on 8/30/11 2:35pm
Msg #395739

I was remiss and forgot to mention that I have...

"Document Custodian Affidavit of Copy" Certificates which is what I would utilize in place of "notarizing" copies of his non-notarizable documents.

Does that make sense? lol

This is what GoldGirl was referring to below.

Reply by Don Courtney on 8/30/11 2:49pm
Msg #395742

I have run across these requests several times, although nowhere near 100 copies. Most of the clients need them for some form of work or student visa renewal. Just as you suggest, I only notarize their written statement to "certify" the accuracy of the copies as the Document Custodian. Normally they have 2-4 documents, although 1 guy had 18.

It took about an hour to complete the 18 documents and I charged $10 each(Ca. Maximum), but waived my travel fee. I felt well compensated for my time and probably would have given him a discount of 20-30% if asked.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/30/11 3:04pm
Msg #395748

Just a couple of quick comments off the top of my head:

1) How long does it take you to fill out one certificate and journal entry? Just do the math to figure out how long it will take you. To save time, you could try to find out the name of the signer (if it's the same person), pre-print that info and make lots of copies, if possible.) Be sure to allow yourself some break time and for "murphy's law" type of stuff.

"I then charge so much for every notarization thereafter which includes a little more than $2.50 to make up the minimal travel fee, plus the additional time it takes."

2) I think you could get yourself in trouble for pricing this way. If your state has a $2.50 minimum, then any extra you feel you need to charge should be separated completely, either as part of a travel fee or a service fee, depending on what your state allows. Maybe I'm just not understanding how you're doing this, but the "a little more than $2.50" seems like you're not following your state's restrictions.

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 8/30/11 4:39pm
Msg #395760

The key is to itemize the charges.

That's what the AZ SOS says.

Reply by NJDiva on 8/30/11 4:48pm
Msg #395762

Thank you for your responses Don and Janet...

When I prepare my receipt for them, I itemize each of the notarizations as $2.50 and the remainder as travel fees. Again, NJ does not have a cap on travel fee.

Reply by NJDiva on 8/30/11 4:48pm
Msg #395763

Great minds think alike Shoshana! :) Thanks! n/m

Reply by LKT/CA on 8/30/11 5:19pm
Msg #395767

It will probably take anywhere from 2 - 4 hours.....probably closer to 4.

Reply by Buddy Young on 8/30/11 6:52pm
Msg #395778

Cheryl, I,m sure some of those documents require a Jurat. In California we are allowed to charge $5 extra for swearing someone in. Does your state allow for an extra charge for swearing someone in?

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 8/30/11 8:13pm
Msg #395796

Buddy, you'd better go read your manual again

Your not interpreting it correctly..

"(b) For administering an oath or affirmation to one person and executing the jurat, including
the seal, the sum of ten dollars ($10)."

The extra $5 comes in when rendering services for a deposition:

"(c) For all services rendered in connection with the taking of any deposition, the sum of
twenty dollars ($20), and in addition thereto, the sum of five dollars ($5) for administering the
oath to the witness and the sum of five dollars ($5) for the certificate to the deposition."

If you're just executing a jurat - $10/signature - no $5 extra

Page 30 http://www.sos.ca.gov/business/notary/forms/notary-handbook-2011.pdf

Reply by Buddy Young on 8/30/11 8:47pm
Msg #395802

Re: thanks, I guess I had better read it again n/m

Reply by DD/OR on 8/31/11 8:05am
Msg #395832

I recently had a request to do notarize documents that turned out to be a nightmare. I received a call from someone who said he was doing an expungment of his record and he needed it notarized. Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong! He had moved here from another state. It turns out he had stacks of copies that he had to send to 2 dozen agencies. It took me hours. Not only did I notarize them but they requested that the notary had to put them in the mail. I even supplied the large envelopes. He was a young guy studying to be a minister and he was very charming. He didn't even have a car. I couldn't say 'no'. I charged him $25.00. Several days later, he called me and invited me to lunch with him and his minister. I accepted and his minister picked up the tab. I'm not sorry I helped him out, but never again.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/31/11 11:28am
Msg #395868

" told him that it was against the law for me to notarize some of the documents, two of those being a copy of his Passport and School Transcripts."

Just out of curiosity why can't you notarize the copy of his passport? It isn't a vital record, he couldn't get copies from any official elsewhere.