New York State Notary Practice Exam

What type of statute must a notary public comply with to charge a fee for their service?

1. Federal law

2. State law

3. Local law

4. No specific law, they set their own fees

The correct answer is: State law

The correct answer is that notaries public must comply with state law to charge a fee for their services. In New York State, the laws governing notaries explicitly define the maximum fees that can be charged for various notarial acts, which ensures consistency and fairness in the fees applied across the state. This legal framework protects consumers against potential overcharging, as it standardizes the fees that notaries can collect. Federal law does not regulate notary fees, as the authority to set such fees falls under the jurisdiction of state law. Local laws might differ from state regulations, but they generally do not override state legislation regarding notary fees. Additionally, notaries cannot arbitrarily set their own fees without adhering to the fee schedule prescribed by the state.