How much does a notary cost in New York?
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 New York, all your options compared fairly — including the one where your bank does it for free.
The two prices, separated
1 · The notarial fee
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
New York statute (Exec. Law § 136) and the Department of State's notary FAQ set only the per-act notarial fee and are silent on travel fees; there is no statutory cap or mandatory-disclosure rule, so travel/convenience fees charged in addition to the $2 act fee are unregulated in NY. It only applies when a notary comes to you — a bank or walk-in counter doesn't charge it.
Your options, compared honestly
New York specifics
Fee schedule: In New York a notary may charge a statutory maximum of $2 per notarial act — $2 for an oath/affirmation, $2 for an acknowledgment or proof of execution by each person, and $2 to swear each witness — while a registered electronic notary may charge up to $25 per online notarial act.
Travel fees: New York statute (Exec. Law § 136) and the Department of State's notary FAQ set only the per-act notarial fee and are silent on travel fees; there is no statutory cap or mandatory-disclosure rule, so travel/convenience fees charged in addition to the $2 act fee are unregulated in NY.
The $2 per-act cap has not been raised since the 1970s and is the lowest maximum notarial fee in the country (a pending bill, S6268, would raise it to $5, but it is not enacted as of the check date).
Since Jan 2023 ALL notaries — including traditional in-person notaries — must keep a journal of every notarial act (recording date, type of act, document, signer name, ID type presented, and fee charged) and retain it for 10 years.
Electronic notaries must additionally retain an audio and video recording of every online notarial act.
The electronic/online notarial fee is capped at $25.00 PER electronic act (not per session), and a certificate of authenticity for an electronically notarized document is itself a $2.00 notarial act.
Per-signature detail: the acknowledgment fee is $2 for the first person AND $2 for each additional person (first and additional are equal, not a rising schedule), plus $2 to swear each witness.
The DOS notary FAQ imposes no itemized-receipt or fee-posting requirement, and does not regulate travel fees.
Remote online notarization: RON · Live in-state — Remote/electronic online notarization is authorized and operational statewide. Electronic notarial services are governed by N.Y. Exec. Law § 135-c (electronic notary law effective Jan 31, 2023); the NY Department of State runs an electronic notary license registration system and registered electronic notaries may charge up to $25.00 per electronic notarial act. Interstate recognition: NY-registered electronic notaries may perform acts for remotely located signers, and a NY notarial act performed under § 135-c is valid for use in other states under the same recognition principles that apply to any lawful out-of-state notarization; NY also recognizes properly executed out-of-state notarizations.
Official source: New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (Notary Public) →Before you pay
- Ask to confirm the notary's commission is current (a mobile notary should be happy to show it).
- Get the total quoted upfront and itemized — the $2 per act (per signature) notarial fee separate from any travel/convenience fee.
- Ask for a receipt.
- For online/remote notarization, confirm the party receiving your document accepts it.
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Figures on this page are sourced to New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (Notary Public) (N.Y. Exec. Law § 136 (in-person notarial fees); electronic-act fee under N.Y. Exec. Law § 135-c), verified 2026-07-14. This is general information, not legal advice — confirm specifics with the official authority.