How Much Does a Mobile Notary Cost in California
Updated: 5 days ago
California Notary Fees in 2026:
California mobile notary costs have two separate parts. Understanding both helps you avoid surprise fees and know exactly what you are paying for.
Part 1: The State-Set Notary Fee
California law sets the maximum a notary can charge for the actual notarization. This is in California Government Code § 8211.
As of 2026:
$15 per signature for Acknowledgments and Jurats (oaths/affirmations)
This fee is per signature, not per document. If two people sign one document, that's 2 x $15 = $30.
This amount is capped by the state. A notary cannot charge more than $15 per signature for these acts.
Part 2: The Travel/Mobile Fee—Separate From Notary Fee
Mobile notaries charge an additional fee to travel to your location. This is NOT set by the state. There is no legal limit.
Each notary sets their own travel fee based on distance, time, and urgency. Under California law, this travel fee must be agreed upon with the signer BEFORE the appointment.
What affects the travel fee?
Distance and travel time from the notary's location
Daytime vs. after-hours, weekends, holidays
Urgent / same-day requests
Number of locations
In most California metro areas, including Oakland and the East Bay, typical ranges are:
Local travel (under 15 miles): $65 - $95
Extended travel: $95 - $150+
After-hours or urgent: often $25-$50 more
For a standard appointment with one signature, the total often ends up between $80 and $130 when you add the $15 state fee to the travel fee.
What Should Be Included in Your Quote?
A clear quote should have 3 lines:
Number of signatures x $15
Travel fee (flat fee)
Total
Example: 2 signatures in Oakland—$30 notary fee + $75 travel = $105 total.
Ask for the total in writing before the appointment.
Other Possible Fees
Printing: $0.25-$0.50 per page or $20-$35 flat for large packages
Waiting time: If signers are not ready or not present
Witnesses: Most mobile notaries do not provide witnesses
Shipping / Scan-backs: For loan packages going back to escrow
ID Requirements for California Notarizations
Under Civil Code § 1185, a notary must have "satisfactory evidence" of your identity.
Your ID must meet ALL of these:
Current or issued within the last 5 years
Contains your photo
Contains your physical description
Contains your signature
Contains a serial or ID number
Acceptable IDs in California:
California driver's license or non-driver ID card
U.S. passport or U.S. passport card
Driver's license or official non-driver ID issued by any other U.S. state
Canadian or Mexican driver's license issued by an appropriate public agency
U.S. Military ID
Valid foreign passport from your country of citizenship
Employee ID issued by an agency or office of a California city, county, or city and county
Identification card issued by a federally recognized tribal government
Inmate ID issued by the CA Dept. of Corrections or Sheriff's Department
Consular ID (Matricula Consular)—Only the new 2022 version with physical description is acceptable
NOT acceptable: Social Security cards, credit cards, student IDs, employer IDs, birth certificates, or photos of ID on your phone.
If you don't have acceptable ID: California allows 1 credible witness who knows you and has valid ID themselves, OR 2 credible witnesses who know you, both with valid ID and who swear under oath.
FAQ
Can my ID be expired? No. It must be current or issued within the last 5 years.
Can I use a picture of my ID on my phone? No. The physical original ID is required.
Does the name on my ID have to match my document exactly? Yes. The name on your ID must match the name on the document. You cannot mix and match multiple IDs to prove one name.
Disclaimer
Giles M Mobile Notary & Live Scan Fingerprint Services is not an attorney.
We are not attorneys licensed to practice law in the State of California. We cannot give legal advice, explain legal documents, or advise you on how to complete your documents. If you have legal questions about your documents, please consult an attorney.
Fees quoted are for notarial services only and are governed by California Government Code § 8211. Travel fees are not regulated by the state and must be agreed upon before the appointment. This blog post is for general informational purposes only.
For more information about notary services available in Oakland, see Oakland Notary Public Services OverviewID, California
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