No. The notary must charge exactly the statutory fee — charging less is an unfair competitive practice
Yes, but only with prior written authorization from the Secretary of State
Yes. A notary public may charge no fee at all or any amount less than the maximum, at the notary's or employer's discretion
No. The notary must charge the exact maximum to ensure uniformity across the profession
Official source: 2026 California Notary Public Handbook (2026)
Reference: Government Code section 8211
Source checked September 7, 2026
Correct Answer
C. Yes. A notary public may charge no fee at all or any amount less than the maximum, at the notary's or employer's discretion
Detailed Explanation
Statutory fees are maximums, not minimums. Government Code section 8211 specifies maximum fees. The handbook is explicit: 'a notary public may decide to charge no fee or an amount that is less than the maximum amount prescribed by law. The charging of a fee and the amount of the fee charged is at the discretion of the notary public or the notary public's employer, provided it does not exceed the maximum fees.' Charging less is fully permissible.
See the Correct Answer & Detailed Explanation
Try 10 free preview questions with instant feedback, official source references, and detailed explanations. Full access includes all 429 California questions.
Start the 10-Question Free PreviewNo credit card required · Interactive quiz simulator