Notarizing A Power Of Attorney

I have been asked to come to a nursing home to notarize a power of attorney document. Should I have the client initial each paragraph and sign the final page? Also can I charge a travel fee in addition to the mileage and notarizing fee? — M.W., Capitol Heights, Maryland

While the customer definitely must sign the document on the final page below the document contents in order for you to notarize the signature, the customer should initial each paragraph only if advised to do so by an attorney. A Notary who is not an attorney is not qualified to provide any advice for how to otherwise mark the document. As for your question about a travel fee, yes, you may charge a travel fee in addition to the statutory fee for the notarial act. Maryland allows you to charge a travel fee of 31 cents per mile plus a flat fee of $5.