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Notary Fees and Remote Notarization in South Carolina

In South Carolina a notary may charge up to $5 per signature for an acknowledgment, and state law does not authorize remote online notarization: even electronic notarizations require the signer to appear in person.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

South Carolina at a glance

Maximum fee per acknowledgment
$5 per signature
An electronic notary may charge up to $10 per signature for an electronic acknowledgment.
Remote online notarization
No
The South Carolina Electronic Notary Public Act (2021 Act No. 85) allows electronic notarization only when the principal appears in person.
RON law and effective date
None (S.C. Code 26-2-50 requires in-person appearance)
Electronic notarization under 2021 Act No. 85 (S.631), effective May 18, 2021, still requires personal appearance.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in South Carolina

What is the maximum notary fee for an acknowledgment in South Carolina?

Maximum fee per acknowledgment in South Carolina: $5 per signature. An electronic notary may charge up to $10 per signature for an electronic acknowledgment.

Is remote online notarization allowed in South Carolina?

No. Remote online notarization in South Carolina: no. The South Carolina Electronic Notary Public Act (2021 Act No. 85) allows electronic notarization only when the principal appears in person.

Which law authorizes remote online notarization in South Carolina, and when did it take effect?

RON law and effective date in South Carolina: None (S.C. Code 26-2-50 requires in-person appearance). Electronic notarization under 2021 Act No. 85 (S.631), effective May 18, 2021, still requires personal appearance.

Where do the South Carolina notary requirements come from?

The rules above come from S.C. Code 26-1-100, S.C. Code 26-2-50 and S.C. Code 26-2-70. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

A statutory fee limit is a ceiling on the notarial act itself. Travel fees, convenience charges, and technology fees for online sessions may be governed by separate rules or not regulated at all, so it helps to ask for the full price before the appointment.

Bring a current government-issued photo ID and leave the document unsigned until the notary is watching, unless the notary says otherwise. A notary generally cannot notarize a document in which they have a personal interest and cannot give legal advice about what the document means.

A document notarized remotely is usually accepted like one notarized in person, but the receiving party, such as a county recorder, title company, or foreign authority, may have its own requirements. Checking with the recipient before choosing an online session can avoid a rejected filing.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.