Posted by Joe Coronado Jr on 12/24/13 2:33pm
Msg #497042

Guadalupe E. Hernandez, Jr.,

How much is considered overcharge in a notarial (notarize) service?

Reply by Jack/AL on 12/24/13 2:57pm
Msg #497043

Any amount beyond reasonable or slightly excessive........ n/m

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 12/24/13 4:14pm
Msg #497045

I don't understand the significance of your subject line.

But charging anything in excess of your state mandated notary fees would be an overcharge; charges for service/time/mileage are set by the individual notary/business person and that charge should also be kept modest.

JMO

Reply by MW/VA on 12/24/13 8:50pm
Msg #497052

The main reason the states set a maximum allowable notary

fee is to prevent price-gouging. Many states do allow a travel fee in addition to the notary fee.
CA allows $10 notarization + travel. If you think someone is charging excessive fees you can report them to the SOS.

Reply by jba/fl on 12/24/13 8:59pm
Msg #497053

Re: The main reason the states set a maximum allowable notary

Correction: CA allows $10 per signature + travel.

Reply by Belinda/CA on 12/24/13 11:46pm
Msg #497056

I am curious -

Can you explain why a fee 'must be kept modest?' Who would define modest? Bill Gates, Martha Stewart, my neighbor? An attorney, a doctor, a high school student, a checker at the grocery store.

To some one fee is too much and to anther the same fee is fine. Some would drive 25 miles one way for $15 and others would never consider that. Doesn't it all boil down to a personal business plan and what you have to make to make a living? Each of us has a different standard of living they must support. Do you like a steak every weekend or is hamburger a treat?

Abide by your state laws and no one elses.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 12/25/13 8:44am
Msg #497063

I say "should be kept modest"

to avoid gouging people - a point that may well be illegal in your state (usury).

I got a call yesterday to do a one-page notarization 45 miles from me - I referred the person here for a closer notary and told him what he'd pay me to travel that far would be far too much - he asked "well, how much is too much?" (IOW what would I charge him) - I would not quote him a fee - because I knew I would not travel 90+ miles for less than $100 - and IMO that's too much for a one-page document.

It's a sense of fairness, IMO.

Reply by BrendaTx on 12/26/13 8:20pm
Msg #497096

Re: I say "should be kept modest"

I guess I do it differently. Whatever the case, I say, "I will charge you $$, based on X, Y, and Z. However, if you call someone closer, or go to a walk up notary, your price will probably be less than mine. It's up to you."

Records support the fee. We have to issue a detailed receipt.

Reply by Belinda/CA on 12/24/13 10:25pm
Msg #497055

It is only overcharging if it is more than you want to pay. :o)

I had a guy call me today and want me to notarize one document. Christmas Eve. I told him I was not working today. He kept pressing and pressing so I told him I'd do the one signature for $100 if he came to the Starbucks near my location. He got all bothered. I mentioned he was free to shop around. Fine by me. I am not working today anyway. It would take $100 for me to leave the house. But, I must say, I have run into many many people who would have gladly paid this amount and more for a service on Christmas Eve. It is all in the eye of the beholder not a rule book.

In CA the notarial fee is $10 per signature. What I think my time is worth, and travel, is my business. If people don't want to pay it they can call someone else. I am a public servant not a public slave. We do not have to charge what is reasonable in the eyes of others. We would then be working for free most of the time.

Just like a plumber. If you think one wants too much - shop around. If you are in hindsight feeling like you paid too much, that is buyers remorse and you probably should not have waited until the last minute to take care of your important papers.

Reply by LadyCA on 12/25/13 12:24am
Msg #497059

Agree with you Belinda n/m

Reply by notarydi/CA on 12/25/13 2:54am
Msg #497062

most costly request I ever had

Was three years ago. Got a call to get one grant deed signed. Call came in around 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 23 from one of my busiest escrow officers. She needed me to drive to a small town 45 minutes north of Bakersfield ( I live near Disneyland), get the grant deed signed, and have it back in her office by 8 a.m. the next day in Newport Beach. Name my price. Client was willing to pay whatever. Had family emergency going on at same time, so, had to turn down the job. I'm sure someone made some bucks. Much more than a $10 per signature job. Always have to factor in miles and time and what the client is willing to pay for service.

Reply by LKT/CA on 12/25/13 2:49am
Msg #497061

<<< He kept pressing and pressing so I told him I'd do the one signature for $100 if he came to the Starbucks near my location. He got all bothered.>>>

Let's pretend the guy balked, then agreed and asked to meet. To avoid being scammed, I'd inform the caller the fee is in cash and will be collected upfront or I'll just turn around and leave.

I did that once for a man who called near midnight...he had one notarization and lived about 20 miles away. I took my then 19 year old son with me. The man had to fly out of town at 5am for a business deal and admitted he had procrastinated in getting the doc notarized. I collected $110 ($10 notarization, $100 service fee) in cash from the wife, was at his home at a little after midnight. Made $110 in 10 minutes. I gave my son a tip for riding with me. That was a sweet night.