Washington, D.C. Notary Fees at a Glance
Washington, D.C. Notary Cost Calculator
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Before you sit down with a notary in Washington, D.C., it helps to know what the law actually allows them to charge. Washington, D.C. sets a statutory maximum of $5 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.
Washington, D.C.'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 $5 per notarial act (D.C. Code §1-1231.21). 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.
Washington, D.C. Notary Fee Cap: What the Law Says
Washington, D.C. caps notary fees by statute at $5 per notarial act (D.C. Code §1-1231.21). Most notaries in Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C..
Mobile Notary Costs in Washington, D.C.
If you'd rather have the notary come to you, expect an additional charge. Washington, D.C. mobile notaries generally add $25 to $100 in travel fees, since — like every other state — Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C. appointment.
Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Washington, D.C.
For Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C.'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.
Washington, D.C. Notary Fees vs. Neighboring States
Here's how Washington, D.C.'s per-act notary fee and mobile travel range compare to nearby states.
| State | Per-Act Fee | Mobile Travel |
|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. (this page) | $5 | $25–$100 |
| Maryland | $4 | $25–$100 |
| Virginia | $10 | $25–$100 |
"Per-act fee" shows the statutory maximum where one exists, or the typical market range where the state sets no cap.
Is Washington, D.C.'s Notary Fee High or Low?
Washington, D.C.'s $5 per act, capped by statute fee structure ranks #18 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 Washington, D.C.. Statutory caps only apply to the notarization itself — travel, printing, and RON session fees are separate line items everywhere, Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C.
A wide range of everyday paperwork requires notarization in Washington, D.C. — 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 Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C. and beyond. For anything not covered by a fixed fee — like affidavits or title transfers — the calculator above gives you a fast Washington, D.C.-specific estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions — Washington, D.C. Notary Fees
How much does a notary cost in Washington, D.C.?
What is the maximum notary fee in Washington, D.C.?
How much do mobile notaries charge in Washington, D.C.?
Is remote online notarization (RON) legal in Washington, D.C.?
Is Washington, D.C.'s notary fee higher or lower than Maryland's?
Do I need a notary for a power of attorney in Washington, D.C.?
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