A mobile notary in Texas can charge no more than $10 per signature for the notarization itself, but travel fees are unregulated, so most people pay between $50 and $200 for a routine appointment and $100 to $250 or more for a loan signing package. How much a mobile notary charges in Texas comes down to three things: the statutory fee for the notarial act, the travel charge to reach you, and any add-ons like printing, witnesses, or after-hours service.
What Texas Caps for the Notarization Itself
Texas Government Code Section 406.024 sets the maximum a notary can charge for performing an official act. The current caps took effect September 1, 2023, and the Secretary of State can adjust them for inflation every five years. The ones that matter for most mobile appointments:
- Acknowledgment or proof of a deed or similar document: $10 for the first signature, $1 for each additional signature.
- Administering an oath or affirmation: $10.
- Certified copy of a record or paper: $1 per page.
- Any other notarial act not listed above: $10.
These are ceilings, not fixed prices. A notary can charge less. Charging more is grounds for discipline by the Secretary of State.1State of Texas. Texas Government Code Section 406.024 – Fees Charged by Notary Public
Travel Fees Are Where the Bill Really Grows
The statute regulates the notarization only. The fee a mobile notary charges to drive to your home, office, hospital room, or coffee shop is a separate, unregulated charge set by agreement between you and the notary. The Secretary of State’s office instructs notaries to keep travel expenses clearly separated from the official notary fees on any receipt or invoice.1State of Texas. Texas Government Code Section 406.024 – Fees Charged by Notary Public
In practice, Texas mobile notaries price travel one of three ways:
- A flat rate for appointments inside a set radius, often 15 to 25 miles.
- A per-mile charge beyond that radius, commonly around $1 to $1.50 per mile.
- An hourly rate, typically $40 to $60.
Some notaries combine a flat base with mileage for longer trips. After-hours, weekend, and holiday appointments almost always cost more, sometimes double the standard travel charge. Confirm the travel fee before booking and get it in writing when you can.
Loan Signings Are Priced as Packages
Real estate closings are the single most common reason people hire mobile notaries in Texas, and they are priced differently from one-off notarizations. A loan signing involves a thick stack of documents, often 100 pages or more, with multiple signatures on almost every page. Rather than charging per signature at the statutory rate, which could technically run into the hundreds on a large package, most signing agents quote a flat fee between $100 and $250 that covers the whole appointment.
That flat fee usually includes travel within a reasonable radius, the notarizations themselves, and sometimes printing. If you are buying or refinancing a home, the notary or signing agent fee should appear as a line item on your closing disclosure, and federal rules require that document to reflect the actual costs of settlement, so you can check the quoted fee against what shows up at closing.2Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Content of Disclosures for Certain Mortgage Transactions (Closing Disclosure)
Add-Ons That Push the Total Higher
A handful of other charges show up on mobile notary bills depending on the situation.
- Witness fees. If your document needs a witness and you don’t have one, some notaries will arrange one for roughly $25.
- Printing and scanning. Large document packages printed on-site or scanned afterward can add $10 to $30 or more depending on page count.
- Waiting time. If you’re not ready when the notary arrives, expect roughly $25 to $30 per 15-minute block after a short grace period.
- Difficult-access locations. Hospitals, nursing homes, and jails have security protocols that stretch out appointments, and surcharges of $50 to $125 are common.
- Same-day and emergency requests. Needing a notary within a few hours instead of a day or two out usually adds a rush surcharge.
Remote Online Notarization Costs Less
Texas authorizes remote online notarization, which lets you appear before a notary over a live video call from anywhere. Maximum fees for online notaries are set by Texas Government Code Section 406.111, and the Secretary of State’s office warns that overcharging is grounds for discipline.3Texas Secretary of State. Frequently Asked Questions for Notaries Public Because no one drives to you, the travel fee, often the largest part of a mobile bill, disappears.
Online platforms typically add a small technology or session fee on top of the notarization charge. Not every document works well online, and some title companies or agencies still require ink-on-paper notarizations, so check first. For a straightforward power of attorney or affidavit, an online session can get the job done for a fraction of what a mobile visit costs.
Bring Valid ID or You’ll Pay the Travel Fee Twice
The most expensive mistake people make with mobile notaries is showing up without proper identification. A Texas notary must verify your identity using a current, unexpired government-issued photo ID or a United States passport. Credit cards, expired driver’s licenses, and employee badges don’t count.4Texas Secretary of State. Notary Public Educational Information
A credible witness, someone who personally knows you, has no stake in the document, and will swear to your identity, can substitute when you have no ID at all. The notary must either personally know that witness or verify them with a government-issued ID. It isn’t a shortcut for convenience: if your license is in your car, the notary should send you to get it.3Texas Secretary of State. Frequently Asked Questions for Notaries Public
If neither option works, the notary must refuse the notarization. You will still likely owe the travel fee for the trip they already made, and you’ll pay another travel fee when you reschedule.
Ask for an Itemized Quote
The cleanest way to avoid surprises is to ask for a breakdown before you schedule. A good quote separates the statutory notarization fee (based on the number and type of signatures), the travel fee, and any other charges like printing, waiting time, or rush service. Texas law requires notary fees and non-notary charges to be kept separate on receipts, so you have a right to see exactly what each piece costs.1State of Texas. Texas Government Code Section 406.024 – Fees Charged by Notary Public
For a single signature on a straightforward document with a notary who is nearby, the total can be as low as $50 to $75. For a multi-signature loan package with a 30-mile round trip on a Saturday evening, $200 to $300 is more realistic. Knowing which parts of the bill are fixed by statute and which are negotiable puts you in a much better position to shop around.