Every self-storage lien sale, foreclosure, probate, name change, DBA filing, estate notice and municipal budget in the United States has to be published as a paid legal notice in a qualifying newspaper, and in most states the price the newspaper may charge is capped by statute. This is a state-by-state comparison of that cap, taken from the statute itself rather than from a compilation. The statutes do not share a unit: Nebraska and Colorado cap cents per line of a specified type size and column width, Ohio and West Virginia work in column inches, Wyoming and Kansas in cents per word or per line with banding, and Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona and Washington set no number at all but tie the legal rate to the newspaper's own lowest commercial or classified rate. Several states charge a lower rate for the second and subsequent insertions of the same notice. Iowa's statutory figure is a base rate that the department of administrative services recalculates every June by CPI and publishes in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin, so the statute alone does not give the current number. The point of the comparison is that it is unit-normalised, dated, and read off the current statute: the leading free compilation in this niche still quotes Nebraska's 1996 rate of forty-five cents per line, where the statute has said fifty cents per line since October 1, 2023. Answers 'how much can a newspaper charge me to run a legal notice', 'is the price I was quoted for a foreclosure or lien-sale notice legal', and 'what is the legal advertising rate in my state'. Relevant to self-storage operators, foreclosure trustees, probate lawyers, county clerks, municipal budget officers, and the newspapers selling the notices.

What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Alabama

**Maximum chargeable rate:** shall not exceed the lowest classified rate paid by or published on a rate card for commercial customers for an advertisement of similar size, and frequency in the same newspapers in which the public notice appears

**How the cap is measured:** tied to the newspaper's own lowest commercial classified rate

**Statute:** Ala. Code § 6-8-64(a)

> (a) The rate charged for publication of a public notice shall not exceed the lowest classified rate paid by or published on a rate card for commercial customers for an advertisement of similar size, and frequency in the same newspapers in which the public notice appears. The lowest classified rate paid by or published on a rate card for commercial customers for such advertisements shall be calculated to also include all cash discounts, multiple insertion discounts, and any other commercial contract benefits for which the public notice also qualifies.

Source: <https://law.onecle.com/alabama/title-6/6-8-64.html>

Alabama — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Arizona

**Maximum chargeable rate:** a rate per column inch, per insertion, charged for legal advertising as shown by the local rate card of the newspaper in which publication is to be made

**How the cap is measured:** per column inch, tied to the newspaper's own rate card

**Statute:** A.R.S. § 39-221(A)

> A. The maximum price which shall be paid for public printing and advertising, and for publications required by law, shall be at a rate per column inch, per insertion, charged for legal advertising as shown by the local rate card of the newspaper in which publication is to be made.

Source: <https://www.azleg.gov/ars/39/00221.htm>

Arizona — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Arkansas

**Maximum chargeable rate:** not more than its regular classified advertising rate for publication

**How the cap is measured:** tied to the newspaper's own regular classified rate

**Statute:** Ark. Code § 16-3-103(c)

> (c) When a publication of a legal notice of any kind is allowed or required by law, except real property and personal property delinquent tax rates, a newspaper publishing the notice shall charge and receive not more than its regular classified advertising rate for publication.

Source: <https://codes.findlaw.com/ar/title-16-practice-procedure-and-courts/ar-code-sect-16-3-103.html>

Arkansas — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Colorado

**Maximum chargeable rate:** shall not exceed forty-four cents for each single-column line of six-point type

**Rate for later insertions:** shall not exceed thirty-two cents per line for each subsequent insertion

**How the cap is measured:** cents per line for publicly supported notices; for privately supported notices, tied to the newspaper's own local classified display line rate

**In force since:** On or after January 1, 1993

**Statute:** C.R.S. § 24-70-107(1)(a)

> 24-70-107. Rates for legal publications. (1) (a) On or after January 1, 1993, for all publicly supported legal notices or advertisements published in newspapers, the rate paid for the first insertion of such notice shall not exceed forty-four cents for each single-column line of six-point type and shall not exceed thirty-two cents per line for each subsequent insertion. If the notice is set in larger type, the rate shall be prorated. Regardless of the size of type the notice is set in, the rates specified in this paragraph (a) are based on a single column measuring ten pica ems wide.

Source: <https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-24.pdf>

Colorado — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Florida

**Maximum chargeable rate:** 70 cents per square inch for the first insertion

**Rate for later insertions:** 40 cents per square inch for each subsequent insertion

**How the cap is measured:** cents per square inch

**Statute:** Fla. Stat. § 50.061

> The charge for publishing each such official public notice or legal advertisement shall be 70 cents per square inch for the first insertion and 40 cents per square inch for each subsequent insertion, except that government notices required to be published more than once, the cost of which is paid for by the government and not paid in advance by or allowed to be recouped from private parties, may not be charged for the second and successive insertions at a rate greater than 85 percent of the original rate.

Source: <https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/50.061>

Florida — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Georgia

**Maximum chargeable rate:** For each 100 words, not more than the sum of $15.00 for each insertion for the first four insertions

**Rate for later insertions:** For each subsequent insertion, not more than the sum of $14.00 per 100 words

**How the cap is measured:** dollars per 100 words

**Statute:** O.C.G.A. § 9-13-143(a)

> (a) The rates to be allowed to publishers for publishing legal advertisements shall be as follows: (1) For each 100 words, not more than the sum of $15.00 for each insertion for the first four insertions; and (2) For each subsequent insertion, not more than the sum of $14.00 per 100 words. In all cases fractional parts of 100 words shall be charged for at the same rate as for 100 words.

Source: <https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-9-civil-practice/ga-code-sect-9-13-143.html>

Georgia — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Idaho

**Maximum chargeable rate:** eight cents (8¢) for each pica in a column line for the first insertion

**Rate for later insertions:** seven cents (7¢) for each pica in a column line for each subsequent insertion

**How the cap is measured:** cents per pica of column line

**In force since:** On and after October 1, 2008

**Statute:** Idaho Code § 60-105

> (2) On and after October 1, 2008, the rate to be charged for all official notices required by law to be published in any newspaper in this state, by any state, county, municipal official or other person, shall be as follows: eight cents (8¢) for each pica in a column line for the first insertion and seven cents (7¢) for each pica in a column line for each subsequent insertion. For table and figure matter, the rate shall be nine cents (9¢) for each pica in a column line for the first insertion, and seven cents (7¢) for each pica in a column line for each subsequent insertion.

Source: <https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title60/T60CH1/SECT60-105/>

Idaho — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Illinois

**Maximum chargeable rate:** The maximum rate charged for each insertion of a required public notice shall not exceed the lowest classified rate paid by commercial users for comparable space in the newspapers in which the required public notice appears

**How the cap is measured:** tied to the newspaper's own lowest commercial classified rate, over a 20-cents-per-column-line floor

**Statute:** 715 ILCS 15/1 (Legal Advertising Rate Act)

> The minimum rate shall be 20 cents per column line for each insertion of a required public notice. The maximum rate charged for each insertion of a required public notice shall not exceed the lowest classified rate paid by commercial users for comparable space in the newspapers in which the required public notice appears and shall include all cash discounts, multiple insertion discounts, and similar benefits extended to the newspaper's regular customers.

Source: <https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Articles?ActID=1875&ChapterID=52&Chapter=NOTICES&MajorTopic=RIGHTS%20AND%20REMEDIES>

Illinois — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Indiana

**Maximum chargeable rate:** may not exceed the lowest classified advertising rate charged to advertisers by the newspaper, locality newspaper, or qualified publication for comparable use of the same amount of space for other purposes

**How the cap is measured:** by the line, computed on a square of 250 ems, capped at the newspaper's own lowest classified rate

**How it changes over time:** After December 31, 2016, a newspaper, locality newspaper, or qualified publication may, effective January 1 of any year, increase the basic charges by not more than two and three-quarters percent (2.75%) more than the basic charges that were in effect during the previous year

**In force since:** After December 31, 2016

**Statute:** Ind. Code § 5-3-1-1(b)(4)

> (4) After December 31, 2016, a newspaper, locality newspaper, or qualified publication may, effective January 1 of any year, increase the basic charges by not more than two and three-quarters percent (2.75%) more than the basic charges that were in effect during the previous year. However, the basic charges for the first insertion of a public notice in a newspaper, locality newspaper, or qualified publication may not exceed the lowest classified advertising rate charged to advertisers by the newspaper, locality newspaper, or qualified publication for comparable use of the same amount of space for other purposes and must include all multiple insertion discounts extended to the newspaper's, locality newspaper's, or qualified publication's other advertisers.

Source: <https://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-5-state-and-local-administration/in-code-sect-5-3-1-1.html>

Indiana — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Iowa

**Maximum chargeable rate:** thirty-four cents for one insertion and twenty-three cents for each subsequent insertion for each line of eight point type two inches in length

**Rate for later insertions:** twenty-three cents for each subsequent insertion

**How the cap is measured:** cents per line, recalculated annually by CPI

**How it changes over time:** Beginning June 1, 2001, and each June 1 thereafter, the director of the department of administrative services shall calculate a new rate for the following fiscal year as prescribed in this subsection, and shall publish this rate as a notice in the Iowa administrative bulletin prior to the first day of the following calendar month

**Statute:** Iowa Code § 618.11

> The compensation, when not otherwise fixed, for the publication in a newspaper of any notice, order, citation, or other publication required or allowed by law shall be at a rate of thirty-four cents for one insertion and twenty-three cents for each subsequent insertion for each line of eight point type two inches in length, or its equivalent. Beginning June 1, 2001, and each June 1 thereafter, the director of the department of administrative services shall calculate a new rate for the following fiscal year as prescribed in this subsection, and shall publish this rate as a notice in the Iowa administrative bulletin prior to the first day of the following calendar month. The new rate shall be effective on the first day of the calendar month following its publication.

Source: <https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/618.11.pdf>

Iowa — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Kansas

**Maximum chargeable rate:** a rate not exceeding the lowest regular classified advertising rate charged by the newspaper to its commercial customers

**How the cap is measured:** tied to the newspaper's commercial rate

**Statute:** K.S.A. 28-137

> (a) A newspaper shall charge and receive for publishing a legal advertisement a rate not exceeding the lowest regular classified advertising rate charged by the newspaper to its commercial customers.

Source: <https://www.ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch28/028_001_0037.html>

Kansas — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Kentucky

**Maximum chargeable rate:** a rate per column inch. The advertisement shall be set in no larger than seven (7) point type on solid leading. The rate shall not exceed the lowest noncontract classified rate paid by advertisers

**How the cap is measured:** per column inch, tied to the newspaper's commercial rate

**Statute:** KRS 424.160

> (1) For all newspaper advertising required by law, the publisher is entitled to receive payment for each insertion at a rate per column inch. The advertisement shall be set in no larger than seven (7) point type on solid leading. The rate shall not exceed the lowest noncontract classified rate paid by advertisers.

Source: <https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=18252>

Kentucky — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Louisiana

**Maximum chargeable rate:** a maximum of ninety percent of the commercial display advertising rate charged by the newspaper for a similar volume of business

**How the cap is measured:** a percentage of the newspaper's commercial display rate

**Statute:** La. R.S. 43:205(A)

> A. In all parishes, the cost of all advertisements in relation to judicial proceedings, or in the sale of property under judicial process, or in any other legal proceedings of any kind, shall be a maximum of ninety percent of the commercial display advertising rate charged by the newspaper for a similar volume of business. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the cost of advertisements charged to a state agency when said publication is required by law in all parishes which do not contain a city of over one hundred thousand population shall not exceed the rate of five dollars per square of one hundred words or a fraction thereof.

Source: <https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/LawPrint.aspx?d=99596>

Louisiana — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Michigan

**Maximum chargeable rate:** Per Folio Cost of First Publication $30.65

**Rate for later insertions:** Per Folio Cost for Subsequent Publication $12.70

**How the cap is measured:** dollars per folio, set by an annual State Treasurer notice rather than by the statute

**How it changes over time:** the legal notice publication cost amounts shall remain the same as in the prior year

**In force since:** March 1, 2026

**Statute:** MCL 600.2534, as adjusted by the State Treasurer's annual legal notice publication cost notice

> After March 2025, PA 82 does not provide for further amount increases based on inflation. Therefore, for publications on or after the effective date of March 1, 2026, the legal notice publication cost amounts shall remain the same as in the prior year as follows: Legal Notice Description Amount Per Folio Cost of First Publication $30.65 Per Folio Cost for Subsequent Publication $12.70 Minimum Cost for Notice That Must Be Published Two or More Times $88.15 Minimum Cost for Notice That Must Be Published One Time $65.80

Source: <https://www.michigan.gov/treasury/-/media/Project/Websites/treasury/ORTA/Economic-Reports-Notices/FY-2026/Notice_01302026_LegalNoticeCosts-Signed.pdf?rev=f89c429925524f94925aaa34ec0deacd&hash=83B0680A79B9C58819ED1335218F939F>

Michigan — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Minnesota

**Maximum chargeable rate:** shall not exceed the lowest classified rate paid by commercial users for comparable space in the newspapers in which the public notice appears

**How the cap is measured:** tied to the newspaper's commercial rate

**Statute:** Minn. Stat. § 331A.06

> The maximum rate charged for publication of a public notice shall not exceed the lowest classified rate paid by commercial users for comparable space in the newspapers in which the public notice appears, and shall include all cash discounts, multiple insertion discounts, and similar benefits extended to the newspaper's regular customers.

Source: <https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/331A.06>

Minnesota — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Mississippi

**Maximum chargeable rate:** Twelve Cents (12¢) for each word it contains for the first insertion

**Rate for later insertions:** Ten Cents (10¢) for each of the words for each subsequent insertion required by law

**How the cap is measured:** cents per word

**Statute:** Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-65

> For publishing in a newspaper any summons, order, citation, advertisement or notice required by law to be published in a newspaper, Twelve Cents (12¢) for each word it contains for the first insertion, and Ten Cents (10¢) for each of the words for each subsequent insertion required by law; however, as an alternative, such printers and publishers may charge such fees per line which are acceptable to the party placing the publication not to exceed the Twelve Cents (12¢) and Ten Cents (10¢) per word as set out in this subsection.

Source: <https://codes.findlaw.com/ms/title-25-public-officers-and-employees-public-records/ms-code-sect-25-7-65.html>

Mississippi — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Missouri

**Maximum chargeable rate:** not more than its regular local classified advertising rate

**How the cap is measured:** tied to the newspaper's commercial rate

**Statute:** Mo. Rev. Stat. § 493.025

> a newspaper publishing such notice shall charge and receive not more than its regular local classified advertising rate. The regular local classified advertising rate is that rate shown by the newspaper's rate schedule as offered to the public, and shall have been in effect for at least thirty days preceding publication of the particular notice to which it is applied.

Source: <https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=493.025>

Missouri — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Montana

**Maximum chargeable rate:** shall not exceed the minimum going rate charged any other advertiser for the same publication set in the same sized type and published for the same number of insertions

**How the cap is measured:** tied to the newspaper's commercial rate

**Statute:** Mont. Code Ann. § 18-7-201(2)

> (2) The price for such publication and by whomsoever accomplished shall not exceed the minimum going rate charged any other advertiser for the same publication set in the same sized type and published for the same number of insertions.

Source: <https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0180/chapter_0070/part_0020/section_0010/0180-0070-0020-0010.html>

Montana — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Nebraska

**Maximum chargeable rate:** fifty cents per line, single column, standard newspaper measurements of eight-point type and pica width of eleven for the first insertion

**Rate for later insertions:** forty-three and thirty-four hundredths cents per line, single column, standard newspaper measurements of eight-point type and pica width of eleven for each subsequent insertion

**How the cap is measured:** cents per line

**In force since:** Beginning October 1, 2023

**Statute:** Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-141(4)

> (4) Beginning October 1, 2023, the legal rate for the publication of all legal notices other than those exceptional legal notices described in section <https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=33-142> 33-142 shall be fifty cents per line, single column, standard newspaper measurements of eight-point type and pica width of eleven for the first insertion and forty-three and thirty-four hundredths cents per line, single column, standard newspaper measurements of eight-point type and pica width of eleven for each subsequent insertion.

Source: <https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=33-141>

Nebraska — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Nevada

**Maximum chargeable rate:** (a) The published open display rate for advertising, if the advertisement is placed in a daily or weekly newspaper with a circulation of 15,000 or less; or (b) The published rate for advertising by a nonprofit or charitable organization, if the advertisement is placed in a daily or weekly newspaper with a circulation of more than 15,000

**How the cap is measured:** tied to the newspaper's published rate, banded by circulation

**Statute:** NRS 238.070

> 1. All advertising ordered or required by the State of Nevada or by the respective counties of the State must be paid for by the State or the county ordering or requiring the advertising at a rate that does not exceed: (a) The published open display rate for advertising, if the advertisement is placed in a daily or weekly newspaper with a circulation of 15,000 or less; or (b) The published rate for advertising by a nonprofit or charitable organization, if the advertisement is placed in a daily or weekly newspaper with a circulation of more than 15,000.

Source: <https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-238.html>

Nevada — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** New Jersey

**Maximum chargeable rate:** In newspapers published in the State of New Jersey having a bona fide net paid circulation of up to 2,500 copies, the rate shall be $0.25 per line for each insertion; in the case of any newspaper having a bona fide net paid circulation of not less than 2,500 copies nor more than 5,000 copies, the rate shall be $0.31 per line for each insertion

**How the cap is measured:** dollars per line, banded by newspaper circulation

**Statute:** N.J.S.A. 35:2-1

> The price to be paid for publishing all official advertising as defined in <https://1.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=L&originatingContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&pubNum=1000045&refType=LQ&originatingDoc=I9df6d4000cf311efabdac797a11ac519&cite=NJST35:1-1> R.S. 35:1-1 in newspapers shall be as follows: In newspapers published in the State of New Jersey having a bona fide net paid circulation of up to 2,500 copies, the rate shall be $0.25 per line for each insertion; in the case of any newspaper having a bona fide net paid circulation of not less than 2,500 copies nor more than 5,000 copies, the rate shall be $0.31 per line for each insertion; and in the case of any newspaper having a bona fide net paid circulation of not less than 5,000 copies and not more than 10,000 copies, the rate shall be $0.34 per line per insertion; and in the case of any newspaper having a bona fide net paid circulation of not less than 10,000 copies and not more than 30,000 copies, the rate shall be $0.35 per line per insertion; and in the case of any newspaper having a bona fide net paid circulation of not less than 30,000 and not more than 45,000 copies, the rate shall be $0.36 per line per insertion; and in the case of any newspaper having a bona fide net paid circulation of not less than 45,000 copies and not more than 60,000 copies, the rate shall be $0.38 per line per insertion; and in the case of any newspaper having a bona fide net paid circulation of not less than 60,000 copies and not more than 75,000 copies, the rate shall be $0.44 per line per insertion; and in the case of any newspaper having bona fide net paid circulation of not less than 75,000 copies and of more than 100,000 copies, the rate shall be $0.60 per line per insertion

Source: <https://codes.findlaw.com/nj/title-35-legal-advertisements/nj-st-sect-35-2-1/>

New Jersey — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** New Mexico

**Maximum chargeable rate:** a reasonable rate, to be set by rule or regulation of the secretary of general services

**How the cap is measured:** set by an agency schedule

**How it changes over time:** Changes in economic conditions within the newspaper industry, the general economy and inflation shall be considered in determining a reasonable rate

**Statute:** N.M. Stat. Ann. § 14-11-7

> For publication of all legal notices or advertisements that a governmental entity is required by law or the order of any court of record in this state to publish in newspapers, the publishers shall be paid a reasonable rate, to be set by rule or regulation of the secretary of general services. Changes in economic conditions within the newspaper industry, the general economy and inflation shall be considered in determining a reasonable rate.

Source: <https://codes.findlaw.com/nm/chapter-14-records-rules-legal-notices-oaths/nm-st-sect-14-11-7.html>

New Mexico — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** New York

**Maximum chargeable rate:** twenty-nine cents per line of a column width not less than ten pica ems, provided that in computing such charge per line the line shall average at least five words for each insertion in newspapers having less than two thousand five hundred circulation

**How the cap is measured:** cents per line, banded by newspaper circulation

**Statute:** N.Y. Public Officers Law § 70-a

> shall be at the rate of twenty-nine cents per line of a column width not less than ten pica ems, provided that in computing such charge per line the line shall average at least five words for each insertion in newspapers having less than two thousand five hundred circulation; twenty-nine and one-half cents per line for newspapers having two thousand five hundred or more circulation and less than five thousand; thirty and one-half cents per line for newspapers having five thousand or more circulation and less than seven thousand and five hundred; thirty-one and one-half cents per line for newspapers having seven thousand five hundred or more circulation and less than ten thousand; thirty-two and one-half cents per line for newspapers having ten thousand or more circulation and less than fifteen thousand

Source: <https://newyork.public.law/laws/n.y._public_officers_law_section_70-a>

New York — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** North Carolina

**Maximum chargeable rate:** not to exceed the local commercial rate of the newspapers selected

**How the cap is measured:** tied to the newspaper's commercial rate

**Statute:** N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-596

> The publication of all advertising required by law to be made in newspapers in this State shall be paid for at not to exceed the local commercial rate of the newspapers selected.

Source: <https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_1/GS_1-596.html>

North Carolina — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** North Dakota

**Maximum chargeable rate:** All newspapers must use the rates, type size, and column width as shown on its legal notice rate certification issued by the office of management and budget

**How the cap is measured:** set by an agency schedule

**How it changes over time:** The office of management and budget shall biennially review and adjust rates to reflect changes in economic conditions within the newspaper industry and the general economy, and those adjustments become effective on each July first following the review

**Statute:** N.D.C.C. § 46-05-03

> To effect uniformity, the office of management and budget may compute a standard price on those legal notices which are widely published such as ballots, insurance statements, and official proclamations. All newspapers must use the rates, type size, and column width as shown on its legal notice rate certification issued by the office of management and budget. Certifications must be issued within fifteen days after samples are submitted, or as soon thereafter as practicable. The office of management and budget shall biennially review and adjust rates to reflect changes in economic conditions within the newspaper industry and the general economy, and those adjustments become effective on each July first following the review.

Source: <https://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t46c05.pdf>

North Dakota — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Ohio

**Maximum chargeable rate:** The government rate shall not exceed the lowest classified advertising rate and lowest insert rate paid by other advertisers

**How the cap is measured:** tied to the newspaper's commercial rate

**Statute:** Ohio Rev. Code § 7.10

> For the publication of advertisements, notices, or proclamations required to be published by a public officer of a county, municipal corporation, township, school, or other political subdivision, publishers of newspapers shall establish a government rate. The government rate shall not exceed the lowest classified advertising rate and lowest insert rate paid by other advertisers.

Source: <https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-7.10>

Ohio — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Oklahoma

**Maximum chargeable rate:** fifteen cents ($0.15) per word for first insertion

**Rate for later insertions:** fourteen cents ($0.14) per word for each subsequent insertion

**How the cap is measured:** cents per word

**In force since:** Effective November 1, 2005

**Statute:** 28 O.S. § 121(A)(2)

> 2. Effective November 1, 2005, for all matters other than tabular matter, fifteen cents ($0.15) per word for first insertion, and fourteen cents ($0.14) per word for each subsequent insertion, with each separate group of numerals included in the matter to be counted as one word, regardless of the number of digits involved; and

Source: <https://law.justia.com/codes/oklahoma/2023/title-28/section-28-121/>

Oklahoma — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Oregon

**Maximum chargeable rate:** a rate not to exceed that published by a newspaper as its open display advertising rate, that is, the per column inch rate charged local advertisers not under contract to a newspaper for a fixed rate or minimum quantity of advertising

**How the cap is measured:** per column inch, tied to the newspaper's open display rate

**Statute:** ORS 193.090

> The compensation for the publication of all public notices which are now or hereafter required by law to be published shall be at a rate not to exceed that published by a newspaper as its open display advertising rate, that is, the per column inch rate charged local advertisers not under contract to a newspaper for a fixed rate or minimum quantity of advertising.

Source: <https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors193.html>

Oregon — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Pennsylvania

**Maximum chargeable rate:** shall not be in excess of the rates usually charged or received by the publication publishing such official and legal advertising for commercial, general, or other advertising

**How the cap is measured:** per column line or per column inch, capped at the publication's usual commercial rate

**Statute:** 45 Pa.C.S. § 303

> All official and legal advertising shall be charged for at an established or declared rate or price per single column, line of reading matter measured in depth by the point system, or at a rate or price per inch single column. When such official and legal advertising is not classified and is not published according to prescribed or recognized forms, and no rate has been established or declared, such rate for official and legal advertising shall not be in excess of the rates usually charged or received by the publication publishing such official and legal advertising for commercial, general, or other advertising.

Source: <https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/45/00.003.003.000..HTM>

Pennsylvania — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** South Carolina

**Maximum chargeable rate:** charged not more than the local retail display advertising rate shown on the newspaper's rate card or the rates published in the newspaper, deducting any and all applicable discounts earned by the volume or frequency of the legal advertising

**How the cap is measured:** tied to the newspaper's retail display rate

**Statute:** S.C. Code Ann. § 15-29-80

> shall be charged not more than the local retail display advertising rate shown on the newspaper's rate card or the rates published in the newspaper, deducting any and all applicable discounts earned by the volume or frequency of the legal advertising. The advertisement shall be set in solid six point type, including the caption and all other parts of the advertisement.

Source: <https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t15c029.php>

South Carolina — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** South Dakota

**Maximum chargeable rate:** 35.5 cents per line for eight-point type, and 31.4 cents per line for nine-point type, for a column width of eleven picas

**How the cap is measured:** cents per line or per column inch, banded by newspaper circulation

**How it changes over time:** Beginning July 1, 2025, and again on each July first thereafter, the maximum rates described in this section are to increase by either two percent or the index factor described in §10-13-38, whichever is less. The commissioner of human resources and administration or its designee shall publish the adjusted rates for the following year in the South Dakota Register by December fifteenth each year

**In force since:** Beginning July 1, 2025

**Statute:** SDCL § 17-2-19

> If any legal publication is required or allowed by law, and no other fee is prescribed for that publication, the maximum fee that may be charged for the publication is: (1)If the legal newspaper has a paid circulation of less than nine thousand, 35.5 cents per line for eight-point type, and 31.4 cents per line for nine-point type, for a column width of eleven picas. If column widths vary, the rate per line is adjusted based on the percentage of space used. Tabular matter with one justification is charged at one and one-half times the rates set in this subdivision, and tabular matter with two justifications or more at twice the rates; and (2)If the legal newspaper has a paid circulation of nine thousand or more: Newspaper circulation | Rate per column inch, six-point type | 9,000 – 19,999 | $6.23 | 20,000 – 29,999 | $6.54 | 30,000 – 39,999 | $6.87 | 40,000 and over | $7.36 | Beginning July 1, 2025, and again on each July first thereafter, the maximum rates described in this section are to increase by either two percent or the index factor described in §10-13-38, whichever is less. The commissioner of human resources and administration or its designee shall publish the adjusted rates for the following year in the South Dakota Register by December fifteenth each year, which are effective on July first of the following year.

Source: <https://law.justia.com/codes/south-dakota/title-17/chapter-02/section-17-2-19/>

South Dakota — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Tennessee

**Maximum chargeable rate:** not more than its regular classified advertising rate

**How the cap is measured:** tied to the newspaper's commercial rate

**Statute:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-1301

> Where a publication of a legal notice of any kind is allowed or required by law, a newspaper publishing such notice shall charge and receive not more than its regular classified advertising rate.

Source: <https://codes.findlaw.com/tn/title-8-public-officers-and-employees/tn-code-sect-8-21-1301.html>

Tennessee — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Texas

**Maximum chargeable rate:** the newspaper’s lowest published rate for classified advertising

**How the cap is measured:** tied to the newspaper's commercial rate

**Statute:** Tex. Gov't Code § 2051.045

> The legal rate for publication of a notice in a newspaper is the newspaper’s lowest published rate for classified advertising.

Source: <https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._gov%27t_code_section_2051.045>

Texas — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Washington

**Maximum chargeable rate:** shall not exceed the national advertising rate extended by the newspaper to all general advertisers and advertising agencies in its published rate card

**How the cap is measured:** tied to the newspaper's published national advertising rate

**Statute:** RCW 65.16.091

> The rate charged by a newspaper for legal notices shall not exceed the national advertising rate extended by the newspaper to all general advertisers and advertising agencies in its published rate card.

Source: <https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=65.16.091>

Washington — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** West Virginia

**Maximum chargeable rate:** (1) Four cents per word if the qualified newspaper has a bona fide circulation of less than one thousand, except as provided in subdivision (1), subsection (a) of this section; (2) Eight and one-half cents per word if the qualified newspaper has a bona fide circulation of one thousand to five thousand; (3) Nine cents per word if the qualified newspaper has a bona fide circulation of more than five thousand but less than ten thousand; (4) Ten cents per word if the qualified newspaper has a bona fide circulation of more than ten thousand and less than thirty thousand; or (5) Eleven cents per word if the qualified newspaper has a bona fide circulation of thirty thousand or more

**How the cap is measured:** cents per word, banded by newspaper circulation

**How it changes over time:** Provided, That on July 1, 2003 and on July 1, 2004 and on July 1, 2005 the allowable rate per word in each of the classifications of qualified newspapers with reference to circulation as set forth in this subsection shall, for each classification, increase 1¢ per word over the prior year's rate

**Statute:** W. Va. Code § 59-3-3(a)

> (a) The rates which a publisher or proprietor of a qualified newspaper in West Virginia may charge and receive for a single or first publication of any legal advertisement set solid depends on the bona fide circulation of the newspaper, as follows: (1) Four cents per word if the qualified newspaper has a bona fide circulation of less than one thousand, except as provided in subdivision (1), subsection (a) of this section; (2) Eight and one-half cents per word if the qualified newspaper has a bona fide circulation of one thousand to five thousand; (3) Nine cents per word if the qualified newspaper has a bona fide circulation of more than five thousand but less than ten thousand; (4) Ten cents per word if the qualified newspaper has a bona fide circulation of more than ten thousand and less than thirty thousand; or (5) Eleven cents per word if the qualified newspaper has a bona fide circulation of thirty thousand or more: Provided, That on July 1, 2003 and on July 1, 2004 and on July 1, 2005 the allowable rate per word in each of the classifications of qualified newspapers with reference to circulation as set forth in this subsection shall, for each classification, increase 1¢ per word over the prior year's rate.

Source: <https://code.wvlegislature.gov/59-3-3/>

West Virginia — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Wisconsin

**Maximum chargeable rate:** not more than the rate issued by the department of administration for the first and subsequent insertions per standard line

**How the cap is measured:** per standard line, at a rate set annually by the state department of administration

**How it changes over time:** The standard line rate shall be reviewed annually, the adjustment, if any, to be effective on January 1 of each year to reflect the relevant change in costs of the newspaper publishing industry during the previous year, as determined by the department of administration in consultation with representatives of the daily and weekly newspaper industry of the state

**Statute:** Wis. Stat. § 985.08

> The fee for publishing a legal notice shall be not more than the rate issued by the department of administration for the first and subsequent insertions per standard line. The charge for the publication of a facsimile ballot shall be computed as if the area occupied by the ballot were set in standard lines. If a legal notice contains tabulated matter, then the fees allowable for the area containing such matter shall be increased 50 percent of the standard line base rate without adjustment for circulation premium. Composed matter shall be interpreted as being tabular when it contains 2 or more justifications per line. The standard line rate shall be reviewed annually, the adjustment, if any, to be effective on January 1 of each year to reflect the relevant change in costs of the newspaper publishing industry during the previous year, as determined by the department of administration in consultation with representatives of the daily and weekly newspaper industry of the state.

Source: <https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/985/08>

Wisconsin — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state


**State:** Wyoming

**Maximum chargeable rate:** a rate not to exceed the amount charged by a daily newspaper at the lowest rate for display advertising or by a weekly newspaper at the open local display advertising rate

**How the cap is measured:** tied to the newspaper's display advertising rate

**Statute:** Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 18-3-518(a)

> (a) Legal advertising required by law to be published shall be purchased at a rate not to exceed the amount charged by a daily newspaper at the lowest rate for display advertising or by a weekly newspaper at the open local display advertising rate. Weekly newspapers shall grant customary discounts or contractual rates to any local government fulfilling the requirements necessary to qualify for the discount or rate.

Source: <https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title18.pdf>

Wyoming — What a newspaper may legally charge to publish a legal notice — by US state