How much does a notary cost in South 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 South Dakota, 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
South Dakota has no statute regulating notary travel/mobile fees. With the general per-instrument fee cap repealed effective July 1, 2025 (HB 1192), neither the notarial fee nor any travel surcharge is statutorily capped or subject to a disclosure mandate in SDCL ch. 18-1; a mobile notary and signer simply agree on the price. Signers should confirm any travel fee up front. It only applies when a notary comes to you — a bank or walk-in counter doesn't charge it.
Your options, compared honestly
South Dakota specifics
Fee schedule: South Dakota sets no statutory maximum notary fee — the $10-per-instrument cap was removed by 2025 HB 1192; the notary sets the fee, so confirm the amount in advance.
Travel fees: South Dakota has no statute regulating notary travel/mobile fees. With the general per-instrument fee cap repealed effective July 1, 2025 (HB 1192), neither the notarial fee nor any travel surcharge is statutorily capped or subject to a disclosure mandate in SDCL ch. 18-1; a mobile notary and signer simply agree on the price. Signers should confirm any travel fee up front.
South Dakota removed its $10-per-instrument fee cap effective July 1, 2025 (HB 1192) — fees are now notary-set; some third-party sources still list the old $10, the amendment controls.
A South Dakota notary may not charge a fee for notarizing a request for an absentee ballot (SDCL 18-1-9).
Remote online notarization: RON · Live in-state — Remote/electronic online notarization is authorized AND operational in South Dakota. Enacted by 2024 SB 211 and codified at S.D. Codified Laws § 18-1-11.2 et seq.; the Secretary of State's July 2025 Notary Public Handbook details the RON process, electronic-seal rules, and certificate forms, and SOS-registered notaries perform RON in-state. Interstate recognition: § 18-1-11.5 requires South Dakota registers of deeds to accept a tangible (printed) copy of an electronically notarized record as satisfying original-signature recording requirements when authenticated under § 18-1-11.6. No RON-specific fee cap exists — the same no-cap, notary-set fee rule applies.
Official source: South Dakota Secretary of State — 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 No statutory cap notarial fee separate from any travel/convenience fee.
- Ask for a receipt.
- For online/remote notarization, confirm the party receiving your document accepts it.
Need a notary to come to you in South Dakota?
Booking is open. See an itemized quote — travel and your state's notarial fee, line by line — before you pay anything.
Book a mobile notary →Figures on this page are sourced to South Dakota Secretary of State — Notary Public (SDCL § 18-1-9 (Fee chargeable by notary), as amended by 2025 S.D. Sess. Laws (HB 1192) — the $10-per-instrument fee cap was removed effective July 1, 2025; the section retains only the no-fee rule for notarizing an absentee-ballot request.), verified 2026-07-14. This is general information, not legal advice — confirm specifics with the official authority.