Do you guys have a pay chart that you give to the customer so that they won’t be surprised
with the fee especially if you cannot see the document ahead of time. I’ve had a few will signings
where the customer had no idea how many notarizations were necessary and did not know the number of pages
example: fee breakdown (for the customer to see
state of Michigan $10 per notarization
travel fee $25
fee for going through the whole package with you $15
fee if you need carrier service to drop at fed ex $10
example: 6 notarizations 60 travel 25 going through the package $15 send to fedex 10
total: $110
Want to share with you years ago I created a simple one page word doc page with general information for fees that I can send pdf copy via email to people. Laminate few copies as needed to hand out to full care facilities. Every state is different ~ WA State notary fees posted on website. I won’t travel over 20 miles for signing and most within 10 miles. Seniors and military families I never charge travel fees. If I do charge for travel, use IRS rate. Forbidden to provide legal advice regarding client provided docs so focus on signatures only. One of my clients is a property investor and at times express mail an envelope and charge his a flat rate which includes markup for my time. My GNW fees usually average $120 to $300 depending on docs. Two POAs and Will costs can add up and if witnesses are included. FYI my information sheet also has a short profile of my experience and certifications and saves me a lot of time detailing these items. Clients appreciate my information sheet and will share with others. Prior to my retirement had to read a lot of spec books for bids and contract awards. Learned to speed read 6,000 words in 15 minutes ~ didn’t take a class just hard work. Love your posts. Have a great day!
Thanks Alice2uworld! I’m going to make something similar to that. I love that idea since I don’t
have a website of my own (just seems too stressful for me, I’m one of those people who gets a headache after being on pinterest for 5 minutes LOL)
For me, having full pricing available for anyone to see isn’t my preferred way of doing things. Some appmts are 3 miles away; others are 29 miles away. Sometimes I have tolls to pay. Sometimes, the pack is small so I charge to witness a document and sometimes I don’t. So many variables! I wouldn’t want to lock myself in to ONE price (ie Travel $25). Perhaps wording like “Travel starts at $25-$50 depending on location” or something like that.
Also, not sure about your neighborhoods but I live in the land of the wealthy. I never want to quote a low fee only to drive up to a $15 million dollar home. Which is only to reiterate that I like to keep my options open.
I call “Going thru the whole pkg” “administrative fee - pack review”.
Posting your fees gives your competition a chance to adjust their fees to scoop business that might have been yours. I’ve posted the Texas Notary fees with an explanation of various tertiary fees for travel, non-notary signatures, printing costs, and return shipping. Tertiary fees are calculated on a case-by-case basis.
I’m the same. When I made my website originally I did put fees, but then I upgraded and redesigned my website and took them off for the same reason. Individuals who call me inquiring ask for my fees right at the beginning of our conversation and I have to explain that the fees vary based on what the situation is. Just like Jenjoneis stated the customer hasn’t even looked at the docs so I have to ask many questions just to give them a quote. Some people are fine with the fees, others are not and I am okay with that. I feel my fees are fare and reasonable which is what my state requires. I had a guy call yesterday and said he had a Will and Testament to get notarized. After asking some questions, come to find out I had to provide 2 witnesses and I quoted him a price of $75. He then asked oh that is the charge for each doc? Come to find out he had a whole estate plan (POA, Medical POA, and W/T) I said the fee would definitely be higher. He then said, “I’ll just go to UPS”. Have a nice day!
On the phone, I can only state my travel fee and the notarization fee. The customer usually knows exactly how many notarizations there are if they have the documents. What is the “fee for going through the whole package?” Is that allowed in your state?
yeah I’m okay with them not liking my fees also. But if they stop and think about… how much does getting a plumber to come to their house cost? services cost money people
wow. your customers usually know how many notarizations there are? Good for you! That makes things a lot easier. In some cases the customer doesn’t know what that is. At the UPS here if someone is getting something notarized, the notary will not go through the package with them and make sure everything is signed. They will simply say “Which page do I need to notarize?” As signing agents we provide another service where we make sure they don’t miss any signatures, dates, initials and notarize everything that needs to be notarized.
Yes, when they call me with their estate planning documents, they have a good idea of the number of notarizations and all they need to know is the cost per notarization. If a customer calls me because they need a notary for their buyer/seller/refinance file, I quote them a flat rate. It’s just easier that way.
Whether it’s a will, trust, POA, or loan signing, I always go through page by page to make sure they’re not missing anything. I don’t have a fee for going through the package. I just consider that good customer service.
You sound like a quality loan signing agent. Not all notaries are loan signing agents. It took three months of training, after getting my notary comission, for me to feel comfortable enough to agree to do my first refinance. Now I eat paperwork for breakfast in the morning (evil villain laugh) JK
Hi everyone ~ fees I post on my sheet on WA State approved fees. What is applicable to use for fees depends on your state. POA’s, W/T, etc. I charge per each signature on docs and that is where fees can increase dependent on paperwork. I NEVER supply witnesses ~ leave that up to signers to provide as per WA State requirements and that information placed on my sheet. I never travel over 20 miles and no tolls here. Lot of multi million dollar homes. I usually get paid for these signings more than offers from notary brokers. Many notaries are getting out of the busines in my area.
Hi Jenn ~ I have seen so many untrained UPS Notaries and ridiculous that they provide service without even reading their states law book for notaries. I’m in WA State and outlets were asking me for my business card because their notaries messed up so much or they look at documents and refer to me because they are in over their head. FedEx store was considering providing notary services but changed their mind. We are trained for a reason and unappreciated. Onward and forward.
