WERE YOU OVERCHARGED FOR NOTARY PUBLIC SERVICES?

Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP is investigating a potential class action relating to excessive fees for notary public services. Most states impose limits on fees notaries may charge to perform notarial acts. A notary public may not charge a notary public fee that is in excess of the fixed fees set by the state (see 2023 Fees Chart, below). Some states may permit a notary public to charge a clerical or administrative fee for services they have provided in addition to the notarization of a document such as copying documents, postage, phone calls or completing forms. Customers should be informed if a clerical fee is being charged in addition to the notary public fees prior to the notarization of a document. A notary public must display their fees, separately stated, in the notary’s place of business or provide them to any person utilizing the services of the notary upon request, and the customer’s receipt should itemize these fees.

You could have been charged notary fees in connection with: securing, refinancing, conveying/transferring, or paying off a mortgage or loan; leasing or financing the purchase of a car; entering into a structured settlement; closing on a real estate transaction; renting an apartment; securing copies of medical records from hospitals or health care providers; securing title to real estate or a car; estate and decedent-related matters; or, for other transactions where notary services are included and/or required.

As way of example, below is a sample notary public fee schedule. In applying this fee schedule –  if a customer comes to a notary public with a document requesting a notarization of their signature, the notary public may collect $5.00 for the act.  If a customer has a document that they need to sign multiple times and they would like each signature notarized within the document, the notary public may charge up to $5.00 for the first signature and $5.00 for each additional signature within the same instrument.  If more than one individual is signing a single document, the additional individual may be charged up to $2.00 for their first signature and $5.00 for each additional signature within that same instrument.

If you have any reason to believe that you were overcharged for notary public services, please complete the form below and provide as many details as possible.