Price Hike Coming
If you are a notary, you may be setting up for a 50% raise next year. Effective January 1, 2017, the maximum fee a Notary Public may charge will be $15 for Acknowledgments and Jurats. The maximum price for most notary services for the remainder of 2016 is still $10. That’s an increase of fifty percent!
This came about via Assembly Bill No. 2217, an act to amend Sections 8211 and 8223 of the Government Code, relating to notary public, and specifically to service fees.
Acknowledgments and Jurats are not the only two items with fee increases in the pipeline, you will also see changes to certifying a copy of a power of attorney, for services rendered in connection with the taking of any deposition, and administering oaths. Fees are still impermissible for notarization of signatures on vote by mail ballot identification envelopes, voting materials, or on US Military veteran’s applications for pension, allotment, allowance, compensation, insurance, or any other veteran’s benefit.
Beware of Hidden Fees
Here at the Law Office of Merrill A. Hanson, you will see no changes to estate planning fees in response to this change in the law. We have always waived our notary fees for our estate planning clients who have purchased an all-inclusive package. There are no plans to do otherwise. That’s the value of using a law firm that cares about delivering value. Others are not so honest and may not tell you ahead of time that certain additional fees may apply. With notary fees increasing, that could equate to a 10-15% hidden fee. It would not be surprising to hear that a local notary charges more now when selling their “fill-in-the-blank” estate plans (the ones already containing twice as many signatures as are needed to do an estate plan).
Ask about notary fees before you commit.
For more information about changes in the law and protecting your rights, please feel free to give us a call: 626-905-4682. There is typically no charge for a preliminary phone call to determine whether your particular issue is within our practice area.
Merrill A. Hanson
Law Office of Merrill A. Hanson
180 N. Glendora Ave., Ste. 201
Glendora, CA 91741
Tel./Txt: 626-905-4682
Originally Published December 12, 2016
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This page is not intended to convey legal advice. You should contact an attorney for your specific situation.
