Can a notary charge more than $5 per notarial act in North Dakota?

For the notarial act itself, no — North Dakota caps it at $5 per notarial act. A mobile notary may add a separate travel/convenience fee, which is not the notarial fee and must be disclosed and agreed to in advance. Always ask for it itemized.

Will my bank notarize for free in North Dakota?

Often, yes — many banks and credit unions notarize documents free for their account holders during branch hours. Call ahead: not every branch has a notary on duty, and some won't handle every document type.

What ID do I need to get something notarized in North Dakota?

A current, government-issued photo ID is the standard requirement; the exact list of acceptable IDs is set by North Dakota. Check North Dakota Secretary of State — Notary & Apostille before your appointment for the authoritative list.

Notary cost · North Dakota

How much does a notary cost in North Dakota?

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 North Dakota, all your options compared fairly — including the one where your bank does it for free.

per notarial act — that's the notarial stamp, capped by North Dakota. Getting a notary to you (the trip) is a separate, market-set charge. North Dakota caps a notary's fee at $5 per notarial act (N.D.C.C. § 44-06.1-28), with no separate dollar cap for remote online notarizations — the same $5-per-act limit applies, plus an optional technology fee that must be actually incurred, agreed in advance, and disclosed as separate.

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

disclosure-required

N.D.C.C. § 44-06.1-28(2) permits a travel fee only if (a) the notary and the requester agree on the fee in advance of travel, and (b) the notary explains that the travel fee is separate from the notarial fee and is neither specified nor mandated by law. No mileage rate or dollar cap is set; the fee is not statutorily limited but must be pre-agreed and disclosed. It only applies when a notary comes to you — a bank or walk-in counter doesn't charge it.

Your options, compared honestly

Option	What you pay	When it's the right call
Bank / credit union	Often free for account holders	Simple 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 fee	You'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 · Live in-state	n/a in-state	You can notarize by video without leaving home. Confirm the receiving party accepts a remote notarization.

North Dakota specifics

Fee schedule: North Dakota caps a notary's fee at $5 per notarial act (N.D.C.C. § 44-06.1-28), with no separate dollar cap for remote online notarizations — the same $5-per-act limit applies, plus an optional technology fee that must be actually incurred, agreed in advance, and disclosed as separate.

Travel fees: N.D.C.C. § 44-06.1-28(2) permits a travel fee only if (a) the notary and the requester agree on the fee in advance of travel, and (b) the notary explains that the travel fee is separate from the notarial fee and is neither specified nor mandated by law. No mileage rate or dollar cap is set; the fee is not statutorily limited but must be pre-agreed and disclosed.

The $5-per-act cap is enforced criminally: a notary who charges more than $5 per notarial act is guilty of an infraction (N.D.C.C. § 44-06.1-28(1)).

It is also an infraction for ANY person other than the notary to impose or collect any fee, charge, or commission in connection with a notarization — a signer-facing anti-markup rule.

Travel fees are legal but must be agreed in advance and the notary must expressly tell the signer the travel fee is separate from and not mandated by law (§ 44-06.1-28(2)).

RON 'technology fees' (§ 44-06.1-28(3)) have no dollar cap but are conditional: the notary must have actually incurred the technology cost, agreed the fee in advance, and disclosed it as separate from the $5 act fee.

RON acts require an audiovisual recording and two independent forms of identity proofing (§ 44-06.1-13.1(3)).

The $5 cap is unusually low versus neighboring states and has not been indexed; the figure was verified directly in the North Dakota Century Code chapter 44-06.1 PDF at ndlegis.gov (HTTP 200).

Remote online notarization: RON · Live in-state — Remote online notarization for remotely located individuals is authorized under N.D.C.C. § 44-06.1-13.1 and is operational; the Secretary of State maintains live electronic/remote notarization guidance. No separate RON fee cap — the $5-per-notarial-act limit applies, plus an uncapped, pre-agreed, disclosed technology fee under § 44-06.1-28(3). Notary must be physically located in North Dakota.

Official source: North Dakota Secretary of State — Notary & Apostille →

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 $5 per notarial act 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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Notary costs in every state Compare all 50 states + how notary pricing actually works North Dakota 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 North Dakota Secretary of State — Notary & Apostille (N.D.C.C. § 44-06.1-28 (Fees to be charged for notarial acts – Penalty); RON: N.D.C.C. § 44-06.1-13.1), verified 2026-07-14. This is general information, not legal advice — confirm specifics with the official authority.