Notary Fees and Limitations
Statutory fees
New Hampshire sets notary fees by statute. The usual maximum is $5 for a notarial act such as taking an acknowledgment or administering an oath or affirmation. A notary may charge less or nothing, but may not demand more. If a travel or convenience charge is not authorized by the statute or a separate agreement permitted by law, do not add it to the notarial fee.
Limits on authority
Fees cannot buy an act the notary is not allowed to perform. Do not notarize your own signature, a document you signed, or a blank form. Do not pressure a signer to use your service or refuse service on unlawful grounds. Do not describe the fee as a legal review or processing charge; the fee is for the notarial act.
Worked example
A client needs one acknowledgment and offers $20 for speed. The notary performs the acknowledgment and charges $5, the statutory maximum. The extra $15 is not a notarial fee and should not be accepted as one. Reasoning: the statute caps the charge for the act; urgency does not create a lawful surcharge.
Traps
Charging per signature when the statute sets a per-act fee. Adding a mobile fee without authority. Assuming every notarial act has a different fee. Keeping sloppy fee records.