How Much Does a Mobile Notary Cost in California?
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The California State Notary Fee
Under California Government Code Section 8211, a notary public may charge up to $15 per signature notarized.[1] This is the maximum fee set by the state and it applies whether you visit a notary at a fixed location or have one come to you. The $15 cap covers the actual notarial act itself — witnessing your signature, verifying your identity, and completing the notary journal entry. It does not cover any travel, convenience, or after-hours charges that a mobile notary may add. When I meet clients in San Francisco or Oakland, I always make sure they understand this distinction up front so there are no surprises on the bill.
Travel Fees: What to Expect
The biggest variable in mobile notary pricing is the travel fee. Because a mobile notary drives to your location — whether that is your home, office, hospital, or a coffee shop — there is a separate charge for the time and mileage involved. In the Bay Area, travel fees typically range from $25 to $75 depending on how far the notary needs to drive and how accessible your location is. For appointments within a city like San Francisco or San Jose, I generally charge on the lower end of that range. If I am driving from San Francisco to Walnut Creek during rush hour, the fee reflects the additional time and toll costs.
- ●Within the same city: $25 to $40 travel fee
- ●Adjacent cities (e.g., Oakland to Berkeley): $35 to $50
- ●Longer drives (e.g., San Francisco to San Jose): $50 to $75
- ●Remote or hard-to-reach locations: $75 or more
After-Hours and Weekend Surcharges
Many mobile notaries charge extra for appointments outside of standard business hours. If you need a document notarized at 8 PM on a Friday or early Sunday morning, expect an after-hours surcharge of $25 to $50 on top of the regular travel fee. I offer evening and weekend appointments because life does not stop at 5 PM, but the surcharge accounts for the disruption to personal time and, frankly, the fact that fewer notaries are available during those windows. Holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas Day may carry even higher surcharges, though most notaries simply do not work on major holidays.
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Total Cost Examples for Common Scenarios
To give you a realistic picture, here are a few scenarios I encounter regularly in the Bay Area. These examples include the state notary fee, travel fee, and any applicable surcharges. Keep in mind that if a document requires multiple signatures to be notarized, each signature is a separate $15 charge.
Single Document, Same City, Business Hours
You need one signature notarized on a power of attorney at your home in San Francisco during a weekday afternoon. The cost would be $15 for the notarization plus a $35 travel fee, totaling about $50. This is the most straightforward and affordable scenario.
Real Estate Signing Package
A typical loan signing involves 4 to 8 notarized signatures spread across multiple documents. At $15 per signature, the notary fees alone run $60 to $120. Add a travel fee of $40 and you are looking at $100 to $160 total. Loan signing appointments are usually coordinated through the title or escrow company, and in many cases the lender covers the notary cost as part of closing.
Hospital Visit, After Hours
A family member needs a healthcare power of attorney notarized at a hospital in Oakland on a Saturday evening. Two signatures are required. That is $30 in notary fees, plus a $50 travel fee, plus a $35 after-hours surcharge — roughly $115 total. While this is more expensive, having a notary come to the hospital saves significant stress during an already difficult time.
Mobile Notary vs. Going to an Office
If cost is your only concern, visiting a notary at a UPS Store, bank, or shipping center will usually be cheaper because you eliminate the travel fee. You will still pay $15 per signature, but there is no travel charge. However, the savings often come at the cost of convenience. You need to find a location, confirm a notary is available (many bank branches require appointments and some only notarize for account holders), drive there yourself, find parking, and wait. When you factor in your own time, gas, and parking, the difference in total cost shrinks considerably. For people who are homebound, have demanding work schedules, or need notarization outside business hours, a mobile notary is not a luxury — it is a necessity.
How to Keep Your Notary Costs Down
There are a few practical ways to minimize what you pay. First, have all your documents ready before the appointment. If I arrive and you still need to print or fill out paperwork, the clock is running and it can lead to a longer appointment or even a return visit. Second, batch your notarizations — if you have three documents that all need notarizing, schedule them for the same appointment instead of three separate ones. Third, choose a time during standard business hours on a weekday to avoid after-hours surcharges. Finally, have valid, unexpired government-issued photo identification ready. A California driver's license or U.S. passport is ideal. Without proper ID, I cannot complete the notarization and you may be charged a trip fee for the wasted visit.
- ●Have all documents printed, completed, and unsigned before the notary arrives
- ●Bundle multiple notarizations into one appointment
- ●Book during weekday business hours when possible
- ●Ensure all signers have valid, unexpired photo ID
Sources & References
All information in this article has been verified against official government sources and authoritative references:
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