Posted by cbnotary/MD on 10/1/12 9:12pm
Msg #436726

Jail notary work

I had someone call me to ask if I could meet them to notarize a document for their husband who is in jail. The jail is about 10 miles from me and it is only one document. Anyone have any suggestions on the fee I should charge?

Reply by John Tennant on 10/1/12 10:22pm
Msg #436740

Minimum, $50.00. Travel time, wait time at the jail, and get it upfront. Cash.

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 10/2/12 12:16am
Msg #436759

Where permitted some people charge for waiting time. Here in AZ I don't go to the prisons simply because they could go on lockdown while I am there. That would mean that I am stuck there until the lockdown ends. It could be a long wait.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 10/2/12 6:43am
Msg #436766

You may want to call the jail and ask if you would even be allowed in or what the procedures are. I called the local jail a few years ago when I got a call from a desperate mother who needed to get her incarcerated daughter's car out of impound (daily impound fees). She needed to get a POA signed by her daughter. The jail told me that I would not be allowed to have a contact visit and they have notaries on staff who will take care of it. They basically said their notaries would get to it when they get to it.

Reply by bfnotary on 10/2/12 8:04am
Msg #436773

I have not done any jail signings and to be honest, I probably never will. I don't really like prisons much. I went to a jail once to visit a friend when I was younger (child support default).. And It took forever to get in and out. Not worth it for me.

Reply by Luckydog on 10/2/12 4:11pm
Msg #436867

I have never done one, but everyone raises a good point. You have to be in contact with the prisoner, and they need to have an ID. It may take them awhile to let you go back, or possibly no contact at all. How do they present their ID when incarcerated? I would be prepared to be there for awhile, and even then, you may have to be on their "guest list" and be searched. Sounds like more trouble than what it is worth if you ask me, when you can do a closing in less than an hour for $100.00.

Reply by cbnotary/MD on 10/3/12 3:48am
Msg #436933

great points, thanks everyone n/m

Reply by Eric Andrist on 1/16/13 10:09am
Msg #450659

Who pays for a jail notary? I realize you could be hired by a family member or an attorney, and bill them, but what if it's just a prisoner calling who needs a notarization? How do you get the money?

Reply by jba/fl on 1/16/13 12:51pm
Msg #450683

Collect up front. Inform your party that you will be paid for travel, etc. upon arrival. They should have told you already what you are notarizing, how many, etc., so you have all that information when you arrive. Check the paperwork to be sure and then collect. Add some waiting time - everyone says they end up waiting.

Cash, or get a Square for your phone and swipe their credit card on the spot. Use the orange search button also, this has been discussed before a few times. Since I don't do jail work, I'm not the best to be answering and may have forgotten something vital to the process.

Reply by Eric Andrist on 1/17/13 10:41am
Msg #450794

Thanks jba, all good advice.

I'm just wondering, though, how a prisoner pays for the service. If they are behind glass, and not really making money, who is paying the money, and who is delivering it to you?

Reply by jba/fl on 1/17/13 11:50am
Msg #450824

Since the jailed is behind bars, that person is probably not the person calling you. The person calling is probably a trusted relative, friend, spouse, etc. They are the one you will do all planning with, prior to you leaving your home.