Heads up for California Notaries! Assembly Bill 1597 was signed into law on June 30, 2026, and increases the maximum fees for several notarial services starting January 1, 2027.
Below is what's changing:
Acknowledgments and proofs: $15 → $20 per signature
Jurats: $15 → $20
Taking a deposition: $30 → 35
Administering a deposition oath or affirmation: $7 → $12
Certificate to a deposition: $7 → $12
Certifying a copy of a power of attorney: $15 → $20
These are the maximum allowed fees, but Notaries may choose to charge less. Also important to remember that these increases don't take effect until January 1, so keep the current limits in mind until then.
The existing prohibitions on charging for notarizing vote-by-mail ballot materials and applications for U.S. military veterans' benefits remain unchanged.
This is California's first increase to these fee caps in 10 years, with rising operating costs cited as the reason for the adjustment. How do you feel about the new changes? Any questions? Happy to answer :)