Which of the following statements about notary fees is true?

In North Carolina, notaries are required to adhere to maximum allowable fees set by law. This means that the state provides specific guidelines outlining the fees that notaries can charge for their services. This regulation ensures that notary services remain accessible and prevents excessive charges that could be considered predatory.

The establishment of maximum fees serves to protect the public from being overcharged and provides transparency in the notarial process. Notaries must ensure they are aware of these limits and comply with them when providing services, thereby maintaining the integrity of their role and the trust of their clients.

In contrast, the other statements do not accurately reflect the regulatory framework governing notary fees. Notaries cannot arbitrarily set their fees without regard to state law, and while it's important for notaries to be transparent about their fees, the specific requirement to disclose fees in writing is not mandated by law. Additionally, notaries are allowed to charge fees for a wide range of notarial acts, not just for certain types of documents, as long as they stay within the established limits.