Not surprised. Each state is different. For example, CT allows $5 per notarization (law does not specify if 2 people appear simultaneously and are on the same ONE notarization block is that a $5 or $10 fee ... different answers from different SOTS staff). It allows 35 cents per mile for travel. It does NOT allow a notary PUBLIC OFFICIAL to charge a "convenience" fee or for anything else.
SO, if the Notary Signing Agent cost, which is more than just $15 for notarizations, is a separate line item on the Closing Disclosure or ALTA HUD-1 ... In CT you want to see "Signing Agent fee" never "Notary fee" or "Notarization fee."
Consumers and State and Federal Auditors look at notary fees posted publicly on the Secretary of State website, say $5" or "$25" per notarization, compare that with the number of notarizations to what the borrower was changed on the Closing Disclosure and think "Overcharged what was allowed by State law." (Example: Count 4 notarizations for a total of $20, the Closing Disclosure states the borrower was charged $125 for "Notary Public." Safest way: "Signing Agent Services," which can include notarization fees. As CA notaries have pointed out, often the actual notarizations fees would be more than the Signing Agent fee that they charged.
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