Notary cost · South Dakota

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.

No statutory cap
— that's the notarial stamp, capped by South Dakota. Getting a notary to you (the trip) is a separate, market-set charge. 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.

The two prices, separated

1 · The notarial fee

No statutory cap

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

Not capped by South Dakota

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 With the general per-instrument fee cap repealed effective July 1, 2025 (HB 1192), neither the notarial fee nor any travel surcharge is statutorily capped or subject to a disclosure mandate in SDCL ch. 18-1;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

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 No statutory cap + the store's own convenience feeYou're already out, no account at a bank, need it now. You travel to them.
Mobile notaryNo statutory cap 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-staten/a in-stateYou can notarize by video without leaving home. Confirm the receiving party accepts a remote notarization.

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 (ron_session_cents = null).

Official source: South Dakota Secretary of State — Notary Public →

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Notary costs in every state Compare all 50 states + how notary pricing actually works South 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 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.