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Thread Topic: IN JAIL, What would you charge?
Topic Originator: Joel Diaz
Post Date May 9, 2010 @ 5:09 PM |
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Joel Diaz
2 Posts
(downey, CA)
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Notarizing Signatures in Jail: I understand only 10.00 per signature, but what about the travel expense etc… what’s a fare rate for something like this?
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j fitz
2 Posts
(modesto, CA)
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I am taking classes to become a paralegal/legal document assistant. I plan to get my notary also. I had a notary some 20 years ago, but things are vague.
One of the services I plan to offer is going to a penitentiary that is in a nearby town. I have been wondering what to charge for the travel fee, so I am interested in this topic.
My thoughts are to consider the distance traveled, the time to travel, and what the IRS uses as mileage rate. If I provide the service for more than one person on the trip, the mileage fee could be shared.
So you might want to calculate the distance in miles, multiply by a mileage factor, then add a $ amount for your time traveling. Convert this to a flat rate.
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Marian Harmon
273 Posts
(Lancaster, CA)
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Always keep your notarizations fees separate from any other professional or administrative fees you might charge. ALWAYS -- and that includes for loan signings! I realize most notaries don't do this, but remember, in CA, we are required to record how much we charged for each notarization. If you charge additional fees, you need to keep them well documented.
That said, dealing with jail, detention centers, courthouses and the like are really tricky. The honest truth is that they are VERY time consuming. Even a good, quick visit during professional visiting hours can take an hour or more, and a lot of that is just waiting.
It is for that reason that notaries who do this usually charge a flat fee, or an hourly rate -- and notarizations are free or included in that rate. However you do it -- just make sure you record it properly.
You can't charge more than the maximum for anything related to performing that actual notarial act. However, you can charge for professional and administrative expenses in traveling and making the appointment possible. Depending on the jail -- and each one is different -- I know of notaries that charge anywhere from $50-$250 per hour, perhaps more depending on the situation.
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Lisa Thornton
288 Posts
(Upland, CA)
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There is no "fair" rate.....it's whatever fee will give you a profit for your time and travel, plus the notarizations - along with what someone is willing to pay for your time/travel/notarizations. Waiting time is 2 hours or less, on average. Whatever fee you decide on, I'd get it in cash only...no checks...payable upfront (before you walk into the facility).
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Javier Gomez
5 Posts
(Rialto, CA)
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My minimum travel fee is $100 for local jails. The notarization is additional, $10 per signature taken. I have learned to have documents delivered to me and to collect my fees up front. I have made arrangements in the past where I was "stood up." So...there went my time and cost of driving to the facility...especially on a Sunday morning.
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