Each state has a maximum notary fee per notary act or procedure. Some charge by the signature, Florida charges by the stamp if I’m not incorrect (better look that one up.)
But, if you are allowed $5 per signature, the signing has four signatures, but pays $200, then what? Are you breaking the law? Or are you being paid for mobile fees and supervising fees? The truth is that you are being paid for a bunch of responsibilities within your service:
Printing documents
Confirming an appointment
Supervising the signature and initialing of documents
Answering simple questions (perhaps)
Not answering questions you are not supposed to (unless you are a know-it-all who is looking for trouble)
Notarizing
Waiting while people read or have long conversations by phone with the Lender.
Getting the documents safely back where they belong
Availability for after service.
All of those combined definitely merit at least $125, don’t you think?
So, how do you document this in your journal? $5 per notary act. Two people x two notary acts per person is four lines in your journal each stating $5 for the notary fee. And then in the additional info section for the first notary act of the set, put down you got $180 travel / supervising fee for a loan signing. Then it is all documented just in case the IRS has any questions. Notary fees are not subject to self-employment tax but travel and supervising fees are. Look it up in the SE instructions.
But, what if you live in California and the Notary fee is $15, you have ten signatures, but the job only pays $100. You could charge $150 plus travel for that signing, but your Lender or signing company isn’t paying that. Just put whatever you want for the notary fee between zero and $15 per notarized signature in your journal. And do a reasonable estimate for what the travel and supervising fees should be — just estimate and try to be proportionate.
You might also like:
Travel fees vs. Notary fees in your journal
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=22612
Travel fees if nothing gets signed
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=22578
Desperate and new notaries take low paying jobs.
Comment by Notaries Go — November 9, 2019 @ 7:12 pm
I drove a long distance a few years ago for a Wells Fargo Loan Modification. I negotiated $300.00 for that job. At a signing not too long ago I met a woman who had been a Notary and, at that time, some 25 years ago, NOBODY was a Mobile Notary where she was. She took paperwork and negotiated $50/page for THAT job.
It’s all about the service.
Comment by betty — November 9, 2019 @ 8:32 pm
I am finding that many notaries in NY are charging very low fees. Sometimes I get calls and I quote a minimum of $200 for a signing. Many times, the requester accepts my fee. However, there are those that say it’s too much. Countless amounts of times, this same people call back… Notaries, keep your fees up and get the fee you deserve. I’ve been doing this for over 15 years, and have an MBA. I utilize all my knowledge and experience when performing a signing. It’s important to value yourself.
Comment by 914Notary — November 9, 2019 @ 9:22 pm
Hello beautiful people:
Also we have to fax back the documents and drop it to FedEx don’t forget that and sometimes I need to bring witnesses, and print 250 pages twice for the signing and for the borrower…so I think we well deserve the 200 dollars and more 250 I will say…
Comment by Myrna Gonzalez — November 10, 2019 @ 2:00 am