Notary fees in NJ are capped by state regulation at $2.50 per notarial act for standard documents, $15 for a real estate transfer, and $25 for mortgage financing. Those ceilings apply to every commissioned notary in the state. What can push your total higher is what sits around the notarization itself: a mobile notary’s travel charge, a remote platform’s technology fee, or an apostille if the document is going abroad.1Cornell Law School. NJ Admin Code 17:50-1.18 – Fees for Notarial Services
The State Fee Schedule
New Jersey’s administrative code sets maximums, not fixed prices. A notary can charge less. They cannot charge more.
- General notarial acts run up to $2.50 per act. That covers acknowledgments, oaths, affirmations, affidavits, and proofs of a deed. The charge is per act, not per page or per document, so three acknowledgments on three documents comes to $7.50.
- Real estate transfers for grantors are capped at $15 flat for the entire transaction, regardless of how many individual acts are performed.
- Mortgage financing for borrowers is capped at $25 flat, again as an all-inclusive figure for the signing.
The $15 and $25 real estate caps work as transaction ceilings, so a notary cannot add per-act charges on top. That matters at a mortgage closing, where the paperwork runs long but the notary line on your settlement stays predictable.1Cornell Law School. NJ Admin Code 17:50-1.18 – Fees for Notarial Services
Mobile Notary Travel Charges
If you need the notary to come to you — at home, at an office, at a hospital — expect a travel fee on top of the statutory fee. New Jersey does not regulate travel charges, so the notary sets the price. Typical charges run from $50 to $150 or more, depending on distance, time of day, and how quickly you need the appointment. A late-night hospital call costs considerably more than a weekday visit across town.
The travel fee is separate from the act fee. A mobile notary who charges $75 to come out and then performs two acknowledgments will bill $75 plus $5.00. Reputable mobile notaries quote the travel amount before scheduling. If you can’t get a clear number upfront, call someone else.
Remote Online Notarization
New Jersey allows remote online notarization, where you appear before the notary over a live audio-video connection instead of in person.2State of NJ – NJ Treasury. Department of the Treasury – Division of Revenue – Notary Public Law The statutory caps are the same as for in-person work: $2.50 per act, $15 for a real estate transfer, $25 for mortgage financing.
The platforms that host these sessions charge their own technology or convenience fees, and those are not capped by NJ regulation. In practice, a remote session typically runs $25 to $50 total once the platform fee is added. Ask for an all-in price before you book.
Apostille Fees for Documents Going Abroad
If your notarized document will be used in another country, you’ll usually need an apostille certifying the notary’s authority. The U.S. Department of State charges $20 per document for apostille or authentication service, and the fee is nonrefundable.3U.S. Department of State. Requesting Authentication Services New Jersey’s Division of Revenue also handles state-level apostille and certification for documents notarized by NJ-commissioned notaries, at a separate fee. Check the Division of Revenue for current pricing and processing times.
How to Avoid Paying More Than You Should
Banks and credit unions are the cheapest route. Many offer notary service free to account holders. Call the branch first, because not every location keeps a notary on the schedule every day. UPS Store franchises, law offices, real estate agencies, and municipal offices are other common options.
Before any appointment, confirm three things: that a notary will be available when you arrive, that the per-act fee will not exceed the state maximum, and what any travel or platform charges will be. Two minutes on the phone prevents surprises at the signing table.