Pennsylvania recognises three ways to get a signature notarized: in person at an office, in person wherever you happen to be, or remotely over video. They cost different amounts, take different lengths of time, and — critically — they do not all work on the same documents.
The three options side by side
| In-office | Mobile | Remote online | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it happens | The notary’s premises | Your location | Video call |
| Notarial fee | Capped at $5 per act | Capped at $5 per act | $5 plus up to $20 surcharge |
| Travel charge | None | Uncapped, must be disclosed | None |
| Typical wait | Walk-in or same day | Scheduled | Often within the hour |
| Works for vehicle titles | Yes | Yes | No |
| Works for a signer who cannot travel | No | Yes | Sometimes |
| Can also process PennDOT paperwork | At an agent, yes | No | No |
In-office: the default
Walking in remains the cheapest and simplest route for anyone who can travel. There is no travel charge and no technology surcharge, and most routine notarizations take under ten minutes.
It also has one advantage the other two cannot match. A notary who is also an authorized PennDOT agent can notarize your document and process the state paperwork attached to it in the same visit — which matters enormously for vehicle work.
Mobile: for people who cannot come to you
Mobile notaries travel to hospitals, care homes, workplaces, and houses. They exist for a specific and genuine need: a signer who is unwell, immobile, or simply cannot leave.
The notarial fee stays capped, but travel is billed separately and is not capped — it only has to be customary, reasonable, and disclosed before the appointment. In practice the travel is the larger part of the bill.
A mobile notary cannot process state paperwork. They can witness a signature on a vehicle title, but the title still has to reach an authorized agent or PennDOT afterwards. For a title transfer that means two steps instead of one.
Our full breakdown of what each act may cost is in how much a notary costs in Pennsylvania.
Remote online: fast, and limited
Remote online notarization has been permanently legal in Pennsylvania since Act 97 of 2020. You join a video call with an approved notary, prove your identity electronically, and sign an electronic document. The whole thing can happen within the hour.
Notaries performing electronic or remote acts may charge up to $20 per act on top of the standard fee, which covers the platform, the identity proofing, and the recording requirements that come with it.
For a power of attorney, an affidavit, or most contracts, it is an excellent option — particularly if you are out of state.
The exception that catches everyone
Remote online notarization does not work for Pennsylvania vehicle titles. PennDOT has not implemented electronic titling, which means a certificate of title still requires a wet ink signature and a physical stamp.
The workaround. If a buyer or seller genuinely cannot appear, they can grant a limited power of attorney authorising someone else to sign the title. Unlike the title itself, a power of attorney can be notarized remotely — so the absent party signs the POA online and their representative signs the title in person. The full picture is in our guide to the notary rule for car titles.
Which to choose, by document
| Document | Best option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle title transfer | In-office at a PennDOT agent | Wet ink required, and the state paperwork gets done too |
| Power of attorney | Any of the three | Bring witnesses if the document requires them |
| Affidavit or sworn statement | In-office or remote | Must be signed in the notary’s presence |
| Signer in hospital or care home | Mobile | The only practical option |
| You are out of state | Remote online | Unless it is a vehicle title |
| Copy certification | In-office | The original document has to be physically present |
| Parental travel consent | In-office or mobile | Often needs both parents present |
A note on out-of-state notarizations
If you are outside Pennsylvania and the document is not a vehicle title, a local notary in the state you are standing in will generally do. A notarial act valid where it was performed is normally accepted here.
The exception is anything Pennsylvania has its own procedure for. Vehicle titles again lead that list, and out-of-state title work brings a separate verification requirement when the car is brought here — covered in titling an out-of-state car in Pennsylvania.
What none of them can do
The method changes where and how, not what a notary is permitted to do. Regardless of which you choose:
- A notary cannot tell you which document you need — that is legal advice.
- A notary cannot notarize a document with blank spaces still in it.
- A notary cannot act if the signer is absent, or appears not to understand what they are signing.
- A notary cannot certify a copy of a birth or death certificate — request those from the issuing agency.
The Pennsylvania Department of State publishes the full scope of notarial authority on its notaries programme pages.
For most people in the Lehigh Valley the answer is simple: if it involves a vehicle, come in person to somewhere that is both a notary and a PennDOT agent, so the title transfer and the notarization finish together. For everything else, pick whichever of the three suits your week — and check what to bring before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Is online notarization legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Remote online notarization became permanently legal in Pennsylvania with Act 97 of 2020, and approved notaries may perform remote acts using audio-visual communication technology. Vehicle titles are the significant exception.
Why can’t I notarize a car title online in PA?
PennDOT has not implemented electronic titling, so a Pennsylvania certificate of title still requires a wet ink signature and a physical notary stamp. A remotely notarized title will be rejected.
How much more does a mobile notary cost?
The notarial act itself is capped at the same rate — $5 for a standard acknowledgment. Travel is charged separately as a clerical cost and is not capped, though it must be customary and reasonable for the area and disclosed to you beforehand.
Can a mobile notary come to a hospital or care home?
Yes, and it is one of the most common reasons people use one. The signer must still be able to understand the document and sign willingly, and must produce acceptable identification or use a credible witness.
What if I’m out of state and need a PA document notarized?
For most documents, a remote online notarization works. For anything requiring wet ink — a vehicle title in particular — the usual solution is a limited power of attorney, which can itself be notarized remotely.
Does an out-of-state notary work for a Pennsylvania document?
For most documents, yes — a notarization valid where it was performed is generally accepted. Pennsylvania vehicle titles are again the exception, and out-of-state title work brings its own verification requirements.
Not sure which option you need?
Call us and describe the document — we will tell you straight away whether it needs wet ink, witnesses, or can be handled remotely. Hablamos Español.
