How much does a notary cost in Washington?
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 Washington, 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
WAC 308-30-220 permits a travel fee only if the notary and the person requesting the act agree upon it in advance, and the notary discloses that the travel fee is in addition to the notarial fee and is not required by law. No mileage rate or dollar cap is set — it is a disclosure/agreement requirement, not a capped fee. It only applies when a notary comes to you — a bank or walk-in counter doesn't charge it.
Your options, compared honestly
Washington specifics
Fee schedule: A Washington notary may charge up to $15 per traditional notarial act (acknowledgment, jurat/verification on oath or affirmation, signature witnessing, oath/affirmation, or certified copy) and up to $25 per remote online notarial act, per WAC 308-30-220 effective June 22, 2024.
Travel fees: WAC 308-30-220 permits a travel fee only if the notary and the person requesting the act agree upon it in advance, and the notary discloses that the travel fee is in addition to the notarial fee and is not required by law. No mileage rate or dollar cap is set — it is a disclosure/agreement requirement, not a capped fee.
Fee cap rose from $10 to $15 per traditional act effective June 22, 2024 (WSR 24-11-162) — older guides still cite $10.
A notary is not required to charge; fees are maximums, not set prices ('A notary public need not charge for notarial acts').
Notary may separately bill the actual costs of copying any instrument or record, on top of the notarial fee.
A notary may NOT charge any fee for receiving or noting a protest of a negotiable instrument.
Travel fee is allowed only by advance agreement AND must be disclosed to the signer as being in addition to the notarial fee and not required by law.
Remote online notarization: RON · Live in-state — Remote online notarization is authorized and operational in Washington. RON is enabled under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RCW 42.45, esp. RCW 42.45.280) and implemented via the DOL 'electronic records endorsement' ($15 add-on). Remote acts have been available since 2020. Max remote-act fee is $25 (WAC 308-30-220). WA notarizations are recognized in other states, and WA recognizes acts validly performed under another state's authority (RCW 42.45.140).
Official source: Washington State Legislature — WAC 308-30-220, Fees for notarial acts (rules of the WA Dept of Licensing Notary Public Program) →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 $15 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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Figures on this page are sourced to Washington State Legislature — WAC 308-30-220, Fees for notarial acts (rules of the WA Dept of Licensing Notary Public Program) (Wash. Admin. Code (WAC) 308-30-220 (fee-setting authority under RCW 42.45.240)), verified 2026-07-14. This is general information, not legal advice — confirm specifics with the official authority.