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California Notary Public Exam · Misconduct and Fees

California Notary Public Exam: Notary Fees Concepts

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Overview

This chapter covers what a California notary may charge. Government Code section 8211 sets the maximum fee for each kind of notarial act, such as acknowledgments, jurats, and certified copies of powers of attorney. The amounts are limits, not required prices, so a notary may charge less or nothing at all.

Fees for acknowledgments are counted for each signature taken, so a document with two signers can carry two fees. The jurat fee covers administering the oath to one person and completing the jurat, including the seal. Because fee amounts can change by law, always check the current handbook for the exact dollar figures before the exam.

Some notarizations must be free. No fee may be charged to notarize signatures on vote-by-mail ballot identification envelopes or other voting materials. No fee may be charged to a U.S. military veteran for notarizing an application or claim for a pension, compensation, insurance, or other veteran's benefit.

The notary records the fee charged in the journal. A copy of a journal line requested by the public costs no more than 30 cents per page. Charging more than the law allows is a ground for the Secretary of State to refuse, suspend, or revoke a commission.

Key concepts

  • Maximum fees

    Government Code section 8211 sets the highest fee a notary may charge for each act. A notary may charge less or waive the fee.

    Memory tipThe law sets a ceiling, not a price.

    Source: California Government Code §8211 · as of 2026

  • Per signature

    The acknowledgment fee is charged for each signature taken. The jurat fee covers the oath to one person and the jurat, including the seal.

    Memory tipCount the signatures.

    Source: California Government Code §8211 · as of 2026

  • No-fee notarizations

    No fee for vote-by-mail ballot identification envelopes or other voting materials, and none for a veteran's application or claim for veterans' benefits.

    Memory tipVoting and veterans' benefits are free.

    Source: California Government Code §8211 · as of 2026

  • Journal copies

    A copy of a journal line requested in writing by the public costs no more than 30 cents per page.

    Memory tip30 cents a page.

    Source: California Government Code §8206 · as of 2026

  • Overcharging

    Charging more than the fees set by law is a ground for the Secretary of State to refuse, suspend, or revoke a commission.

    Memory tipNever above the cap.

    Source: California Government Code §8214.1 · as of 2026

Often tested

  • Fees in section 8211 are maximums; charging less or nothing is allowed.
  • Acknowledgment fees are per signature taken.
  • Vote-by-mail materials and veterans' benefit claims are free.
  • Record the fee charged in the journal.

3 sample questions

Verified practice questions from this unit.

Practice questionReviewedMisconduct and Fees › Notary Fees★★★★☆

Question 1. What do the fees listed in Government Code section 8211 represent?

  1. ① The maximum a notary may charge; a notary may charge less or nothing
  2. ② The minimum a notary must charge
  3. ③ Suggested fees that a notary may go above
  4. ④ The exact amount every notary must charge
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ① The maximum a notary may charge; a notary may charge less or nothing

Key point: Fees in 8211 are maximums

Government Code section 8211 sets the maximum fee for each notarial act. A notary may charge less or waive the fee, but may not charge more.

Wrong choices

  • The minimum a notary must charge: There is no minimum fee.
  • Suggested fees that a notary may go above: A notary may not charge more than the listed amount.
  • The exact amount every notary must charge: The fees are limits, not required prices.
Practice questionReviewedMisconduct and Fees › Notary Fees★★★★☆

Question 2. May a notary charge a fee to notarize a signature on a vote-by-mail ballot identification envelope?

  1. ① No, no fee may be charged for voting materials
  2. ② Yes, but only for a travel fee
  3. ③ Yes, but only half the regular fee
  4. ④ Yes, the regular acknowledgment fee
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ① No, no fee may be charged for voting materials

Key point: No fee for vote-by-mail materials

No fee may be charged to notarize signatures on vote-by-mail ballot identification envelopes or other voting materials.

Wrong choices

  • Yes, but only for a travel fee: No fee may be charged for notarizing voting materials.
  • Yes, but only half the regular fee: No fee of any amount is allowed.
  • Yes, the regular acknowledgment fee: The law forbids any fee for voting materials.
Practice questionReviewedMisconduct and Fees › Notary Fees★★★★☆

Question 3. A U.S. military veteran needs a notarization on an application for veterans' benefits. What may the notary charge?

  1. ① Only the cost of the journal entry
  2. ② Nothing
  3. ③ The regular maximum fee
  4. ④ Half of the regular fee
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ② Nothing

Key point: Veterans' benefit claims are free

No fee may be charged to a U.S. military veteran for notarizing an application or claim for a pension, allotment, allowance, compensation, insurance, or other veteran's benefit.

Wrong choices

  • Only the cost of the journal entry: No fee may be charged.
  • The regular maximum fee: No fee may be charged for veterans' benefit applications.
  • Half of the regular fee: No fee of any amount is allowed.
Practice 5 questions from this unit →