Fee-Free Notarizations

California statutes identify four situations where notarial services must be provided at no charge:

1. Vote-by-mail ballot envelopes and other voting materials (Government Code §8211(d)) — no fee under any circumstances.
2. U.S. military veterans' benefit applications (Government Code §6107) — notarization of any application or claim for a pension, allotment, allowance, compensation, insurance, or other veterans' benefit. This applies to all U.S. veterans, not just active-duty members.
3. Pension-related documents for public entities (Government Code §6106) — government notaries may not charge for services in connection with pension applications or vouchers.
4. Military reservation notaries (Government Code §8203.6) — notaries commissioned specifically for military installations collect no fees for services performed on the reservation.

Exam Tip: The veterans' benefit exemption (§6107) is the most frequently tested of the four. It covers the full range of benefit applications — including insurance and allotments — not just pensions. A notary who charges a veteran for notarizing a VA claim has violated the law.