South Dakota Notary Fees at a Glance
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Before you sit down with a notary in South Dakota, it helps to know what the law actually allows them to charge. South Dakota sets a statutory maximum of $10 per notarial act. That figure is the ceiling for a single notarial act — a signature witnessed, an oath administered, or a jurat completed — not a flat fee for an entire document, so a document requiring several notarizations (a power of attorney with multiple signers, for example) can cost more than the per-act number suggests.
South Dakota's per-act fee places it in the middle of the pack nationally for notary fees — see the full 50-state ranking on our cheapest states for notary page. Max $10 per notarial act (SDCL §18-1-8). Keep in mind that the statutory cap only covers the notarization fee itself; it doesn't include separate charges like mobile travel fees, printing, or after-hours surcharges, which are unregulated in every state and layered on top.
South Dakota Notary Fee Cap: What the Law Says
South Dakota caps notary fees by statute at $10 per notarial act (SDCL §18-1-8). Most notaries in South Dakota charge at or near this ceiling, since it's low enough that undercutting it rarely makes sense for the notary's time.
For documents that need more than one notarial act — a real estate closing with several signers, for instance — the per-act cap applies to each act separately. Our real estate notary fee guide and power of attorney notary fee guide break down exactly how that adds up for those document types in South Dakota.
Mobile Notary Costs in South Dakota
If you'd rather have the notary come to you, expect an additional charge. South Dakota mobile notaries generally add $25 to $100 in travel fees, since — like every other state — South Dakota places no statutory limit on what a notary can charge for travel time and mileage.
Where you land in that $25–$100 range depends mostly on geography. Dense urban areas — and South Dakota is no exception — tend to sit at the higher end because of traffic, parking, and demand, while rural signings often come in near the low end. Last-minute or after-hours requests usually push the fee higher still. Use the calculator above to plug in your own numbers and see a real total for your South Dakota appointment.
Remote Online Notarization (RON) in South Dakota
For South Dakota residents who'd rather skip the trip altogether, Remote Online Notarization is a legal option. Video-based RON sessions through providers like Notarize or Proof run $25–$50 flat, regardless of South Dakota's in-person fee rules.
RON is fast — most sessions wrap up in under 15 minutes — and available outside normal business hours, which makes it a strong option for straightforward documents like affidavits, consent forms, and many powers of attorney. It's not universally accepted, though: some real estate closings, court filings, and certain state-specific documents still require a wet-ink, in-person signature, so it's worth confirming acceptance with the receiving party before you book a RON session. See our online notary cost comparison for a full RON-vs-mobile breakdown.
South Dakota Notary Fees vs. Neighboring States
Here's how South Dakota's per-act notary fee and mobile travel range compare to nearby states.
| State | Per-Act Fee | Mobile Travel |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota (this page) | $10 | $25–$100 |
| North Dakota | $10 | $25–$100 |
| Minnesota | $5–$20 | $25–$100 |
| Iowa | $5–$20 | $25–$100 |
| Nebraska | $5 | $25–$100 |
| Wyoming | $5–$20 | $25–$100 |
"Per-act fee" shows the statutory maximum where one exists, or the typical market range where the state sets no cap.
Is South Dakota's Notary Fee High or Low?
South Dakota's $10 per act, capped by statute fee structure ranks #28 of 51 on our nationwide comparison, in the middle of the pack nationally for notary fees. The full spread runs from Wisconsin at $0.50 per act on the low end to Louisiana's $50+ civil-law notary rates on the high end.
Ranking aside, the number that actually matters is what you'll pay for your specific document in South Dakota. Statutory caps only apply to the notarization itself — travel, printing, and RON session fees are separate line items everywhere, South Dakota included. Use the calculator at the top of this page, or the full 50-state comparison tool, to get a real total.
Common Documents That Need Notarization in South Dakota
A wide range of everyday paperwork requires notarization in South Dakota — real estate closings, powers of attorney, affidavits, vehicle title transfers, parental travel consent letters, and loan documents are among the most frequent reasons people visit a South Dakota notary.
Each of these document types can involve more than one notarial act, so it's worth checking the specifics before you budget. Our real estate notary fee guide covers deed and closing costs, and our power of attorney notary fee guide covers POA-specific witness rules and pricing in South Dakota and beyond. For anything not covered by a fixed fee — like affidavits or title transfers — the calculator above gives you a fast South Dakota-specific estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions — South Dakota Notary Fees
How much does a notary cost in South Dakota?
What is the maximum notary fee in South Dakota?
How much do mobile notaries charge in South Dakota?
Is remote online notarization (RON) legal in South Dakota?
Is South Dakota's notary fee higher or lower than North Dakota's?
Do I need a notary for a power of attorney in South Dakota?
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