A remote online notarization usually costs between $25 and $50 for a single, straightforward session. That total is built from three separate charges: the notary’s own fee, which your state caps by law; a platform or technology fee for the video, ID checks, and secure recordkeeping; and identity verification costs, which most platforms bundle into the session price. Extra signers, witnesses, or complex documents push the number higher.
What the Notary Can Charge
Every state that authorizes remote online notarization sets a maximum the notary can charge for each notarial act, meaning each signature, acknowledgment, or oath they certify. The most common cap is $25 per act, which applies in roughly 18 states. A handful of states set the cap lower, sometimes as little as $5, and typically allow a separate technology fee on top. A smaller group allows up to $30 per act, sometimes with an added technology fee of up to $10.
The important detail is that the cap is per act, not per document. If one document needs three acknowledgments because three people are signing, you pay the per-act fee three times. Three acts in a $25-cap state means $75 in notary fees before the platform charges anything.
What the Platform Charges
Remote sessions run through private technology platforms that provide the encrypted video connection, digital certificate, electronic journal, and secure document storage that state laws require. These companies bill their own fees on top of the notary’s statutory fee.
Platform fees for a single session generally range from $5 to $30, depending on the provider and how complex the transaction is. Some states explicitly authorize a separate technology fee in addition to the notary cap; others allow the platform to bundle everything into one permitted charge. Either way, state law generally requires the platform fee to be disclosed to you before the session starts.
Identity verification is folded into that platform price at most providers. Before the session can proceed, you have to pass two checks. The first is knowledge-based authentication: a short quiz drawn from your credit history and public records, with a limited window to answer. The second is credential analysis, where you show a government-issued photo ID on camera and the platform’s software checks its layout, security features, and photo. Each ID scan costs the platform between $2 and $5, and most providers roll it into the session fee rather than itemize it.
Two practical warnings. Failing the knowledge-based quiz can force you to start over, and some platforms will charge the full session fee again. A blurry or expired ID may require a re-scan and, depending on the provider, extra charges. Reviewing your credit report and checking your ID’s expiration date before you log on avoids both problems.
If you notarize documents often, ask about subscription plans. Providers commonly offer them at a lower per-session rate for business users, often with batch processing and priority scheduling. For a one-off document, you pay per session. When comparing providers, ask for a full breakdown, because some advertise a low base price and then charge for document uploads, additional pages, or expedited delivery of the completed file.
What Pushes the Bill Higher
Document complexity is what turns a $30 session into a $90 one. Because the notary charges per act, every additional signature adds another per-act fee. A married couple jointly signing a real estate document generates two notarial acts and doubles the notary’s portion of the bill.
Witnesses add another line. Many platforms offer on-demand witnesses who join the video session for a flat fee, commonly around $10 each. If your document requires two witnesses, that’s roughly $20 on top of everything else.
Here is what a two-signer, one-witness session in a $25-cap state actually looks like added up:
- Notary fees: $50 (two acts at $25)
- Witness: $10
- Platform: $15 to $30
- Total: $75 to $90
To budget for your own session, count the number of signers, add any required witnesses, and put the platform’s base charge on top.
Documents You Cannot Notarize Remotely
Some documents cannot go through a remote session at all, and paying for one before you check can mean losing the platform fee. Both federal and state electronic signature laws exclude certain document types from electronic execution entirely. The most commonly restricted are wills, codicils, and testamentary trusts. Some states also exclude self-proved testaments, powers of attorney for personal care, and certain real estate instruments such as deeds of trust.
The specific exclusions vary by state, so check your state’s notarization laws before scheduling a session for estate planning or other sensitive documents. If your document falls into an excluded category, you’ll need a traditional in-person notarization instead. Many providers do not refund fees for sessions that cannot be completed because of document restrictions.
What to Do if You’re Charged Over the Cap
Charging more than the state-mandated maximum violates notary law in every state that sets a cap. Consequences vary and can include suspension or revocation of the notary’s commission, civil fines, and in some cases referral for criminal prosecution. Some states impose a few hundred dollars for negligent overcharging; willful violations can carry fines of $1,500 or more.
If you think a notary charged you above your state’s limit, you can file a complaint with your state’s commissioning authority, usually the Secretary of State’s office. Keep your receipt and any fee disclosures the platform gave you before the session. One thing to check before you file: the cap applies to the notarial act itself, not the total bill. Technology and platform fees are separate charges governed by different rules, so compare the notary’s line item, not the grand total, against the state cap.