"How much does a notary cost in Massachusetts?" is one of the most common questions we hear, from both signers and new notaries. The answer surprises people: for most everyday notarizations, Massachusetts law does not set a maximum fee. Here is how Massachusetts notary fees actually work in 2026, what must be free, and what to expect to pay.
The short answer: no statutory cap for most notarial acts
For ordinary notarial acts such as acknowledgments, jurats, oaths and affirmations, signature witnessings and copy certifications, Massachusetts does not set a statutory maximum fee. Notaries can set their own reasonable fees, and many notaries charge nothing at all.
There are two important limits on that freedom:
- Certain notarizations must be free (see below).
- A notary must disclose any technology services fee in advance, and it may only reflect actual reasonable cost.
The legal-aid site MassLegalHelp summarizes the consumer view the same way: there is no fee cap, many notaries do it for free, and some retail locations charge around $10 or more.
What M.G.L. c. 262 § 41 actually covers (protests and noting)
Older guides often say Massachusetts notaries may charge only $1.25. That figure comes from M.G.L. c. 262 § 41, a very old fee schedule. Read closely, it covers only protesting and "noting" dishonored bills, notes, drafts and checks, a banking function most people never need:
| Item in § 41 | Fee |
|---|---|
| Protest (instrument of $500 or more / under $500) | $1.00 / $0.50 |
| Recording | $0.50 |
| Noting non-acceptance or non-payment | $0.75 |
| Each notice of non-acceptance or non-payment | $0.25 |
| Overall cap for a protest, including notices and record | $2.00 ($500 or more) / $1.50 (under $500) |
| Overall cap for noting, including recording and notices | $1.25 |
Nothing in that list mentions acknowledgments of deeds, affidavits or the other notarizations people bring to a notary every day.
Richardson v. The UPS Store (2020) explained
The question of whether the $1.25 cap applied to everyday notarizations reached the Supreme Judicial Court in Richardson v. The UPS Store, Inc., 486 Mass. 126 (2020). The court held that the $1.25 limit applies only to the particular act known as "noting", a step in protesting a dishonored negotiable instrument. It does not limit fees for other notarial acts.
The practical result: a store, bank or independent notary in Massachusetts may lawfully charge more than $1.25 for an acknowledgment or jurat. The Trial Court Law Libraries' notary page cites the decision if you want to read further.
Notarizations that must be free (voting materials, veterans' benefits)
Under c. 222 § 23, a notary may not charge any fee for notarizing:
- Signatures on absentee ballot identification envelopes and other voting materials, and
- Applications or claims by U.S. military veterans for pensions, payments, insurance or other veterans' benefits.
If you are a notary, it is worth posting a short note saying these are free. If you are a signer and someone tries to charge you for one, you can point to the statute.
Technology services fees for electronic notarization
The 2023 amendments added a narrow allowance in c. 222 § 16. A notary may collect a technology services fee only if it is clearly disclosed in advance and equals the notary's actual reasonable cost of using a third-party technology provider. The Secretary of the Commonwealth may set limits on it.
Keep in mind that remote online notarization is not yet available to Massachusetts notaries; the Secretary has said notaries should not use remote platforms until training and registration open. See our remote online notarization status guide.
Travel and mobile notary fees
No Massachusetts statute or official guidance sets travel fees for mobile notaries. A mobile notary may charge for travel, waiting time or after-hours service, as long as the price is agreed in advance and is not tied to the outcome or content of your document. Good practice for both sides:
- Ask for a written quote that separates the notarial fee from the travel or service fee.
- Confirm whether the price is per signature, per document or per appointment.
- Ask about extra charges for hospital, nursing home or correctional-facility visits, parking or late-night calls.
Our mobile notary in Boston guide covers what to expect at an appointment.
Recording the fee in your journal
For notaries: c. 222 § 22 requires each journal entry to show the fee charged, including whether a technology services fee was charged and how much. Record "no fee" when you notarize for free, and record the free voting and veterans' notarizations the same way. Accurate fee records protect you if a customer later disputes a charge. See the journal requirements guide.
Typical prices people pay in Massachusetts
There is no official price survey, but these patterns are common:
| Where | What to expect |
|---|---|
| City and town halls, many banks and credit unions, some public libraries | Often free or low cost; an appointment may be needed |
| Law and insurance offices | Often free for clients; policies vary for others |
| Retail shipping and print stores | Commonly around $10 per signature or more, per MassLegalHelp |
| Mobile notaries | Notarial fee plus a travel or service fee; vendor price guides commonly cite totals in the tens to low hundreds of dollars depending on distance, time and number of signatures |
One useful rule: under § 16, a notary may not refuse to notarize just because you are not a client or customer of the notary's employer. Call ahead, ask about the price and bring proper ID (see what ID you need). To compare options near you, browse the Boston Notary Co. directory or the Massachusetts notary listings.
FAQ
Is there a maximum notary fee in Massachusetts?
Not for most acts. The Supreme Judicial Court held in Richardson v. The UPS Store (2020) that the $1.25 cap in c. 262 § 41 applies only to "noting" dishonored instruments, so notaries may set reasonable fees for acknowledgments, jurats and similar acts.
Which notarizations are free in Massachusetts?
Notarizing absentee ballot envelopes and other voting materials, and veterans' applications or claims for benefits, must be done without a fee under c. 222 § 23.
Can a mobile notary charge a travel fee?
Yes. No statute sets travel fees, so mobile notaries set their own. Ask for the total price in writing before the appointment.
Can a bank refuse to notarize for me because I am not a customer?
A notary may not refuse a notarial act solely because you are not a client or customer. Banks may still require appointments, and a notary may decline for other lawful reasons, such as missing ID.
This guide from Boston Notary Co., a privately operated directory and not a government agency, is general information, not legal advice; confirm current law and procedures with the official sources linked above.