VT Notary Notary Fees and Ethics 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum fee a Vermont notary may charge per notarial act?
- $10 per notarial act (Correct answer)
- $5 per notarial act
- $25 per notarial act
- $15 per notarial act
Correct answer: $10 per notarial act
Vermont law sets a maximum fee of $10 per notarial act that a notary public may charge.
Question 2: May a Vermont notary charge a travel fee in addition to the per-act fee?
- Yes, a reasonable travel fee may be charged if disclosed in advance (Correct answer)
- No, only the per-act fee is allowed
- Yes, but only for travel over 50 miles
- No, all notarial services must be free
Correct answer: Yes, a reasonable travel fee may be charged if disclosed in advance
Vermont notaries may charge a reasonable travel fee on top of the per-act fee, provided the fee is disclosed to the signer before travel occurs.
Question 3: A Vermont notary is employed by a bank. Must the bank allow the notary to charge customers for notarial acts?
- No, the employer may require the notary to perform acts free of charge for customers (Correct answer)
- Yes, the notary must always collect the statutory fee
- No, bank employees may not serve as notaries
- Yes, but the bank must keep all fees collected
Correct answer: No, the employer may require the notary to perform acts free of charge for customers
An employer may direct a notary-employee to perform notarial acts for customers without charge as part of their job duties.
Question 4: Which ethical obligation prohibits a Vermont notary from notarizing a document in which they have a direct financial interest?
- The prohibition on notarizing documents in which the notary is a named party or has a financial interest (Correct answer)
- The prohibition on charging more than the maximum fee
- The requirement to maintain a journal
- The requirement to use an official seal
Correct answer: The prohibition on notarizing documents in which the notary is a named party or has a financial interest
Vermont notaries must not notarize documents in which they have a direct financial interest or are named as a party, as this creates a disqualifying conflict of interest.
Question 5: A Vermont notary refuses to notarize a document because of the signer's race. This is:
- A violation of law and notary ethics (Correct answer)
- Allowed if the notary has a valid reason
- Permitted as a matter of professional discretion
- Only a violation if the signer files a complaint
Correct answer: A violation of law and notary ethics
Refusing notarial services based on race, religion, national origin, or other protected characteristics violates Vermont law and notary ethical standards.
Question 6: Is a Vermont notary allowed to advertise notarial services in a foreign language without a disclaimer?
- No, they must include a disclaimer that they are not an attorney and cannot give legal advice (Correct answer)
- Yes, foreign language advertising has no additional requirements
- No, all notary advertising must be in English
- Yes, as long as the notary speaks that language
Correct answer: No, they must include a disclaimer that they are not an attorney and cannot give legal advice
Vermont notaries who advertise in a language other than English must include a disclaimer that they are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice, to prevent misunderstanding about their role.
VT Notary Notary Fees and Ethics 1
What is the maximum fee a Vermont notary may charge per notarial act?