Notary cost · District of Columbia

How much does a notary cost in District of Columbia?

Most "notary cost" pages are run by an online-notarization platform or a notary supplier — each answering with its own product. This one isn't. Here's what it actually costs in District of Columbia, all your options compared fairly — including the one where your bank does it for free.

$5
per notarial act — that's the notarial stamp, capped by District of Columbia. Getting a notary to you (the trip) is a separate, market-set charge. District of Columbia notaries may charge no more than $5 per notarial act (set by the Mayor's rule under D.C. Code section 1-1231.23); remote online notarization is authorized in law but not yet operational, so there is no in-state RON session fee, while in-person electronic notarization (IPEN) has been permitted since July 10, 2023.

The two prices, separated

1 · The notarial fee

$5 per notarial act

State-capped. This is the official act — verifying you, witnessing the signature, applying the stamp. It's the same amount whether you drive to the notary or they drive to you.

2 · The travel / convenience fee

capped

D.C. Code section 1-1231.23(b): a notary may charge, upon agreement of the person to be charged, an amount not-to-exceed the actual and reasonable expense of traveling to a place where a notarial act is performed if it is not the notary's usual place. Traveling expenses must be agreed in advance, in writing, itemized, and separate from the fee for the notarial act. It only applies when a notary comes to you — a bank or walk-in counter doesn't charge it.

Your options, compared honestly

OptionWhat you payWhen it's the right call
Bank / credit unionOften free for account holdersSimple documents, during branch hours, when you can get there. Call first — not every branch has a notary.
Walk-in (UPS-type)Up to $5 per notarial act + the store's own convenience feeYou're already out, no account at a bank, need it now. You travel to them.
Mobile notary$5 per notarial act act fee + a travel fee (a base rate plus mileage, set by the notary)Hospital, homebound, after-hours, real-estate or multi-signer signings — when the trip is worth paying for. Ask for the travel fee itemized upfront.
Online / RON RON · Authorized, not operationaln/a in-stateAuthorized in law but not yet operational in-state — you may still use an out-of-state remote notary if your document accepts it.

District of Columbia specifics

Fee schedule: District of Columbia notaries may charge no more than $5 per notarial act (set by the Mayor's rule under D.C. Code section 1-1231.23); remote online notarization is authorized in law but not yet operational, so there is no in-state RON session fee, while in-person electronic notarization (IPEN) has been permitted since July 10, 2023.

Travel fees: D.C. Code section 1-1231.23(b): a notary may charge, upon agreement of the person to be charged, an amount not-to-exceed the actual and reasonable expense of traveling to a place where a notarial act is performed if it is not the notary's usual place. Traveling expenses must be agreed in advance, in writing, itemized, and separate from the fee for the notarial act.

The $5 cap is per notarial act; the fee statute (section 1-1231.23(a)(1)) delegates the dollar amount to the Mayor by rule (17 DCMR ch. 24) — the official ONCA FAQ confirms the ceiling as $5 per notarial act.

Government-employed notaries are prohibited from charging any fee for notarial services performed during their tour of duty.

A notary may waive a scheduled fee or charge less than the scheduled fee (section 1-1231.23(c)).

A notarial officer other than a notary public (e.g., certain public officials) shall not charge a fee for notarial acts (section 1-1231.23(d)).

Travel expenses must be agreed to in advance and stated in writing, itemized, and listed separately from the notarial act fee.

In-person electronic notarization (IPEN) is live (since July 10, 2023); an e-notary may charge additional service fees for the electronic technology used if agreed in advance and itemized separately — but true remote (online) notarization is not yet operational.

A notary exempt from the application fee under section 1-1231.19(b) may not collect a notary fee (section 1-1231.23(a)(2)).

Remote online notarization: RON · Authorized, not operational — Remote notarization for a remotely located individual is authorized by D.C. Code section 1-1231.13a (added by D.C. Law 24-178, effective Sept. 21, 2022; amended by D.C. Law 24-194, eff. Dec. 13, 2022), but the official ONCA FAQ states 'Remote notarizations are not allowed in the District of Columbia at this time' — implementing rules/registration are not yet live. Only in-person electronic notarization (IPEN) is operational, permitted since July 10, 2023. No official RON fee cap exists. DC's RULONA recognizes properly performed notarial acts from other states/jurisdictions (D.C. Code section 1-1231.11).

Official source: District of Columbia Office of the Secretary — Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA), Frequently Asked Questions →

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Notary costs in every state Compare all 50 states + how notary pricing actually works District of Columbia notary guide Curious what notaries here can charge — or thinking of becoming one? How online (remote) notarization works What RON is, where you can use it, and what your document must accept

Figures on this page are sourced to District of Columbia Office of the Secretary — Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA), Frequently Asked Questions (D.C. Code § 1-1231.23), verified 2026-07-14. This is general information, not legal advice — confirm specifics with the official authority.