Notary pricing in Washington is regulated, but not in the way most people assume. The state caps the notarization fee itself, but travel and service fees are open-market. This post lays out exactly what is regulated, what is not, and what a reasonable price looks like in 2026.
The $15 Statutory Cap
Washington law (WAC 308-30-210) caps the notarization fee at $15 per notarial act. A “notarial act” is typically one signature acknowledgment, jurat, or copy certification. So if one document needs three signatures notarized, the statutory fee is $45.
This cap is the same whether you visit a notary’s office, have one come to you, or do a remote online notarization.
What Counts as “One Act”?
- One signature = one notarial act = $15
- One jurat with an oath = one act = $15
- One copy certification = one act = $15
- One apostille (state-level) = not a notarial act — see below
Some notaries lump multiple signatures into a single “act.” That is not correct and costs you more than it should.
Mobile Notary Travel Fees
Travel fees are not regulated. A mobile notary can charge what the market bears. A fair travel fee depends on round-trip distance, drive time, and the local market.
For context, here is what we charge from Gig Harbor:
| Area | Travel Fee | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Gig Harbor | $50 | Local |
| Port Orchard | $75 | ~30 min |
| Tacoma | $85 | ~30 min |
| Bremerton | $95 | ~40 min |
If a mobile notary in our area is charging you $200 for a round trip to Gig Harbor, you are being overcharged. If they are charging you $20 and promising to come from Seattle, they will likely cancel.
Apostille Fees in Washington
An apostille is a state-issued certificate, not a notarial act. The Washington Secretary of State charges a fee per apostille (currently $15 per document for standard processing). On top of that, apostille services charge for document retrieval, notarization, Olympia delivery, and return shipping.
Typical 2026 apostille pricing ranges:
- Standard (5–7 business days): $125–$175 per document
- Rush (2–3 business days): $225–$275
- Same-day (hand-delivered to Olympia): $400–$500
See our apostille services page for full details.
After-Hours, Weekend, and Holiday Surcharges
Evening, weekend, and holiday appointments reasonably cost more. Typical surcharges in the Puget Sound market:
- Evening (after 7 PM): +$30–$50
- Late night (9 PM–7 AM): +$75–$150
- Weekend: +$25–$50 (Saturday); +$50–$100 (Sunday)
- Holiday: +$50–$150 depending on the day
If a notary is willing to show up at 11 PM on Christmas Eve, they have earned their surcharge. If a notary is charging a holiday rate for a Tuesday afternoon, something is off.
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Washington legalized RON in 2020. Most RON platforms charge $25 per notarial act — slightly higher than in-person because the platform takes a cut. No travel fee applies.
Pros: no scheduling around commutes, no travel charges, available from anywhere with a webcam. Cons: not all receiving parties accept RON, and some documents (like real estate instruments) have specific RON requirements.
For more on this, see Remote Online Notarization in Washington — Is It Legal?.
Fees You Should NOT Be Charged
Here are fees that a Washington notary cannot legally charge:
- A fee for providing an oath or affirmation alone (it is part of the $15 jurat)
- An “administrative” or “processing” fee on top of the $15
- Any fee if the notary refuses to notarize your document (though travel fees still apply if they already came out)
- Any fee above $15 per notarial act itself — travel/service fees are separate and should be disclosed upfront
If you see a surprise fee on a receipt, ask what it is and reference RCW 42.45.250.
What Makes Pricing “Fair”
A fair pricing structure has these properties:
- Published in advance. You should see the full fee schedule on the notary’s website before you call.
- Itemized on the receipt. Separate lines for notarial acts ($15 × N), travel fee, and any surcharges.
- No per-mile mystery charges. Flat rate by city is easier to evaluate than “depends on traffic.”
- Cancellation policy is clear. What happens if you cancel 2 hours before? Before the notary leaves? After they arrive?
Our full pricing page lays this all out. Compare and shop — but beware of bait pricing that appears low but adds surcharges at the appointment.
When You Need a Notary in Gig Harbor
For Gig Harbor, Tacoma, Port Orchard, and Bremerton mobile notary appointments, call (253) 366-6538 or book online. Same-day available 7 days a week, with no surprise fees.