SD Notary Fee Schedule and Compensation

Question 1

What is the maximum fee a South Dakota notary public may charge per notarial act under SDCL 18-1-4?

Accepted Answer

$10

Answer

$5

Answer

$15

Answer

$25

Question 2

A South Dakota notary charges $8 for each acknowledgment. Is this permissible?

Accepted Answer

Yes, because it is below the $10 statutory maximum

Answer

No, because all notaries must charge exactly $10

Answer

No, because acknowledgments have a separate fee cap of $5

Answer

Yes, but only if the fee is disclosed in advance in writing

Question 3

Under South Dakota law, may a notary public choose to perform notarial acts without charging any fee?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a notary may waive the fee entirely at their discretion

Answer

No, notaries must charge the statutory fee to maintain equity

Answer

Only with prior written approval from the Secretary of State

Answer

Only for government documents

Question 4

If a notary performs three separate notarial acts on the same document signing appointment, what is the maximum total fee the notary may collect?

Accepted Answer

$30, because the $10 fee applies per act

Answer

$10 total for the entire appointment

Answer

$20 for the appointment

Answer

$10 per act but only for the first two acts

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT an acceptable practice regarding notary fees in South Dakota?

Accepted Answer

Charging $12 because the signer requested expedited service

Answer

Charging $10 for a jurat

Answer

Charging $0 for a courtesy notarization

Answer

Charging $7 for an acknowledgment

Question 6

A South Dakota notary travels 20 miles to notarize a document at a signer's home. How should travel expenses be handled?

Accepted Answer

The notary may charge separately for travel if the signer agrees in advance

Answer

Travel expenses are automatically included within the $10 notarial fee

Answer

Travel reimbursement is prohibited under South Dakota notary law

Answer

Travel costs may only be reimbursed by the notary's employer, not the signer

Question 7

An employer requires a notary employee to notarize documents for company clients at no charge. Under South Dakota law, this arrangement is:

Accepted Answer

Permissible because the employer may direct the notary's fee practices for company business

Answer

Illegal because the notary must always collect the statutory fee

Answer

Legal only if the Secretary of State approves the arrangement

Answer

Permissible only for documents valued under $500