US $50 for a notary at the U.S. Consulate in SMA?!?!

[doncoulter]

So try the apostille route instead. This is going back a few years, but I once had a Mexican-notarized document apostilled at the local Registro Civil office. I don't remember how much they charged, but it wasn't much and they gave me quick service.

As Doyle noted, the $50 fee is established by the State Department. Complain if you like, write letters to your congressmen to try to get the fee lowered if you like, but the truth is that we expats are not a large constituency. Your protests will fall on deaf ears.