Pennsylvania Notary Public Practice Exam

What establishes the limits on notary fees?

1. State department

2. Federal law

3. Local government regulations

4. Private notary associations

The correct answer is: State department

The correct answer is that the limits on notary fees are established by the state department. In Pennsylvania, the Department of State sets specific regulations regarding notary public fees, which ensures that notaries adhere to a standardized fee structure across the state. This regulation helps maintain uniformity and fairness for individuals seeking notary services, preventing price gouging or arbitrary fee-setting by individual notaries. The other options do not have the authority in Pennsylvania to set notary fees. While federal law does provide overarching regulations related to numerous aspects of commerce and transactions, it does not specifically govern notary fees. Local government regulations may influence some aspects of notarial acts, but they do not set fees for notary services. Private notary associations can provide guidance and best practices, but they do not hold the authority to enforce fee structures legally. Thus, the state department is the definitive source for establishing notary fees in Pennsylvania.