How Much Does a Notary Cost in Virginia? (2026 Pricing Guide)

The short answer

In Virginia, a traditional notary public can charge up to $5.00 per notarial act (Code of Virginia § 47.1-19). Electronic and remote online notarizations are capped at $25.00 per act. Those are the statutory ceilings — but they only cover the notarial signature and seal. Mobile travel, after-hours dispatch, apostille processing, and document prep are billed separately and are not regulated by the state.

What you actually pay for a mobile notary in Virginia

For a typical in-home or in-office mobile appointment in the Richmond, Chesterfield, or Henrico area, expect:

• $5 per notarized signature (the statutory act fee)
• $35–$75 travel fee depending on distance and time of day
• $10–$25 surcharge for after-hours, weekend, or emergency same-day dispatch
• Hospital and nursing-home visits: typically $75–$125 all-in

Mobile fees are negotiated up front and disclosed before the appointment. Reputable Virginia notaries will quote a flat all-in number so there are no surprises at the table.

Loan signing pricing

Loan signing agents (LSAs) are paid by title companies, signing services, or directly by borrowers. In Virginia, typical LSA fees are:

• $125–$200 for a standard refinance package
• $150–$250 for a purchase closing
• $175–$275 for a reverse mortgage or HELOC
• +$25–$50 for printing two sets of documents, scan-backs, or rush turnaround

These rates reflect the additional certifications, errors-and-omissions insurance, and document handling expertise required for loan packages.

Apostille pricing in Virginia

Virginia apostille service through the Secretary of the Commonwealth is $10 per document in state fees. Most apostille service providers add a service fee for hand-walking the filing, courier coordination, and translation referrals:

• $75–$125 per document for standard 5–10 business day processing
• $150–$250 per document for expedited (1–3 business day) hand-walked service
• + shipping/courier for international destinations

Remote Online Notarization (RON) cost

Virginia electronic notaries can charge up to $25 per notarial act for RON. Most providers also charge a small platform fee ($5–$10) that covers KBA identity verification, audio-video recording storage, and the tamper-evident digital certificate.

Why mobile notary fees are worth it

The $50–$100 travel fee saves hours of your time — driving to a bank branch, waiting for the on-staff notary to be available, getting two witnesses lined up, and rescheduling because the document was missing a date line. A mobile notary handles all of it on your schedule, often in under 30 minutes.

How to budget for your signing

Before you book, ask:

1. How many notarial acts are required? (count signatures, not pages)
2. Do you need witnesses? Some Virginia documents require two.
3. Is the location residential, commercial, hospital, or skilled nursing?
4. Is this a same-day or after-hours request?

A good notary will give you a flat quote within minutes.

Free vs. paid notary services

Free notary service at banks works for one-page documents and bank customers, but rarely for healthcare directives, real-estate documents, or multi-page contracts. For anything legally significant, paid mobile service is faster, more private, and more reliable.