What Are Notarial Disbursements, Exactly?
You’ve just received a quote or invoice from a notary, and you notice two separate lines:
- Professional Fees
- Disbursements
But… what are disbursements, really? Is it just a fancy way to charge you hidden fees?
Not at all. Here’s what you need to know to avoid mixing up disbursements… and detours.
The Basics: Fees ≠ Disbursements
When you hire a notary for a real estate transaction, the total cost typically includes two parts:
|
Type of Fee |
What It Covers |
|
Professional Fees |
The notary’s legal work (preparation, verification, signing, etc.) |
|
Disbursements |
Payments the notary must make to third parties to complete your file |
The professional fees cover the notary’s time and expertise.
The disbursements cover everything else — payments made on your behalf to the land registry, government, banks, and others.
Typical Examples of Disbursements
|
Disbursement |
Estimated Cost |
|
Québec Land Registry filing fees |
$100 to $150 |
|
Government certificates (civil status, taxes, etc.) |
$30 to $100 |
|
Official copies of deeds or titles |
$25 to $75 |
|
Courier, registered mail, or bailiff services |
$20 to $50 |
|
Bank fees (wire transfers, certified cheques) |
$20 to $50 |
These amounts may vary depending on your transaction and the property's location.
Are Disbursements Negotiable?
No. Disbursements are fixed costs set by third parties (registries, government agencies, service providers).
The notary doesn’t control them, doesn’t mark them up, and doesn’t profit from them.
At Notairo, disbursements are:
- Clearly listed in your quote
- Broken down line by line if needed
- Charged at cost — no surprises
Why Disbursements Matter
Disbursements are often invisible… until you see the final invoice.
But they’re essential to ensure your transaction is:
- Legal (registered with the land registry)
- Official (documented and certified)
- Protected (through external verifications)
Without disbursements, key parts of your file would be missing — literally.
How Notairo Helps You See Clearly
Before Notairo:
- Disbursements were sometimes hidden in final invoices
- No breakdown or explanation
- Hard to know what was “normal”
With Notairo:
- Disbursements are included from the first quote
- You get a clear explanation of each charge
- You can ask all your questions before signing anything
In Summary
|
Question |
Answer |
|
What’s a disbursement? |
An expense the notary pays on your behalf to a third party |
|
Is it mandatory? |
Yes, in most cases |
|
Does the notary profit from it? |
No. It’s a pass-through cost |
|
Is it included with Notairo? |
Yes — and fully detailed from the start |
Don’t Like Surprises?
Neither do we.
At Notairo, you’ll know exactly what you’re paying — fees and disbursements included.
