Notary Cost in Washington State: 2026 Guide
In 2026, a Washington notary may charge up to $15 for many common notarial acts, including taking an acknowledgment, witnessing a signature, administering an oath, or certifying a copy. A remote notarial act may cost up to $25.
These are legal maximums, not required prices. A notary may charge less or nothing. Your total can be higher when a mobile notary adds an agreed travel fee, when the document needs multiple notarial acts, or when copying or other separate services are involved.
Washington State Maximum Notary Fees in 2026
| Notarial act | Maximum fee |
|---|---|
| Witnessing or attesting a signature | $15 |
| Acknowledgment or verification on oath or affirmation | $15 |
| Certifying or attesting a copy | $15 |
| Administering an oath or affirmation | $15 |
| Certifying that an event occurred or an act was performed | $15 |
| Remote notarial act | $25 |
The official fee schedule appears in Washington Administrative Code WAC 308-30-220. A notary is not required to charge the maximum, and notaries may not charge for receiving or noting a protest of a negotiable instrument.
Why Your Final Price May Be Different
The fee table applies to notarial acts, but it does not always equal the final amount you pay. Before booking, ask for a complete quote and confirm:
- How many signatures or separate notarial acts are required
- Whether a mobile-notary travel fee will be added
- Whether copying costs or other separate services apply
- Whether witnesses are required and who must provide them
- Whether the quote is per act, per signer, or for the complete document
A Washington notary may charge a travel fee if the notary and customer agree to it before the trip and the notary explains that it is separate from the notarial fee and is not required by law.
What Does One Notarial Act Mean?
A single document does not always mean a single fee. For example, a document signed by two people may require more than one signature-related act. A package containing several certificates may also involve several acts. The notary must review the document and identify the service requested without giving unauthorized legal advice.
Ask the receiving organization which notarial certificate it requires if the document does not already say. The notary generally cannot choose the legal form of notarization for you.
Where to Find a Notary in Washington
Washington residents commonly look for notaries at banks, credit unions, shipping stores, law offices, libraries, or through mobile-notary directories. Availability and pricing vary. A bank may serve customers only, a store may have limited notary hours, and a mobile notary may charge for travel.
Call before visiting. Confirm that a commissioned notary is working, your document type is accepted, witnesses are available if needed, and the full price is clear.
What to Bring
- The complete document, with no missing pages
- Satisfactory identification, commonly a current government-issued photo ID
- Any required witnesses
- A payment method for the quoted fee
- Instructions from the receiving agency, if it requires a particular certificate
Complete blank factual fields before the appointment. Follow the notary's instructions about when to sign, especially when the act requires the signature to be witnessed.
In-Person, Mobile, and Online Notary Costs
| Option | Typical pricing issue | Convenience |
|---|---|---|
| Walk-in notary | Up to the applicable Washington maximum per act | Requires travel and confirmed availability |
| Mobile notary | Notarial fee plus an agreed travel fee | Notary travels to an agreed location |
| Washington remote notary | Up to $25 per remote notarial act | Completed by approved audio-video technology |
| Notary20 online | $20 per eligible document | Remote session arranged online |
When Notary20 May Be a Practical Alternative
If your document is eligible for remote notarization and the recipient accepts an electronically notarized document, Notary20 offers a straightforward $20-per-document online service. You can submit the document and identification online and complete the notarization through a live remote session.
Notary20's price is its service offer, not Washington's statutory fee schedule. The notary may be commissioned in another state, and the certificate venue reflects where the notary is physically located. Always confirm acceptance with the receiving person or agency, especially for court, real-estate, estate-planning, apostille, or government documents.
Compare Online Notary Pricing
For a broader national comparison, read the Online Notary Cost Guide.
Start Your Online Notarization
If your recipient accepts remote online notarization and your document is eligible, you can submit it for review:
FAQ
How much can a Washington notary charge in 2026?
The maximum is $15 for the common traditional acts listed in WAC 308-30-220 and $25 for a remote notarial act. A notary may charge less or nothing.
Can a Washington mobile notary charge a travel fee?
Yes. The customer and notary must agree to the travel fee in advance, and the notary must explain that it is separate from the notarial fee and is not required by law.
Is the $15 limit per document?
Not necessarily. The rule sets maximums by notarial act. A document or package may require multiple acts, so ask the notary for a complete quote.
Is remote online notarization legal in Washington?
Yes. A properly endorsed Washington notary may perform authorized remote acts using compliant technology. The receiving organization still controls whether it accepts the resulting electronic document.
Can someone in Washington use an out-of-state online notary?
Often, the signer may be located elsewhere while the notary acts under the law of the notary's commissioning state. Acceptance and document-specific restrictions should be confirmed before proceeding.