Where to Find a Notary Public in Your Area
A notary public is available through several places you can reach within a short drive or walk. Banks, credit unions, and law offices almost always have one on staff, and many will notarize documents for free if you have an account or are a client. UPS Store locations, FedEx Office, and some Staples branches offer notary services for a fee, usually between $5 and $15 per signature. Your county clerk's office, secretary of state's office, or local courthouse also employs notaries and charges little or nothing.
The fastest way to find one nearby is to search "notary public near me" on Google Maps or call ahead to confirm hours and whether they charge. Many banks require an appointment, while UPS and FedEx locations often take walk-ins. If you need the service urgently, call three or four places in your area rather than visiting without knowing if someone is available.
Key Takeaways
- Banks, credit unions, and law offices typically notarize documents free or cheap, especially if you are a customer or client.
- UPS Store, FedEx Office, and some Staples locations charge $5 to $15 per signature and often accept walk-ins.
- County clerk offices and courthouses employ notaries at little or no cost and keep regular business hours.
- Calling ahead saves time because availability and fees vary by location, and some require appointments.
- Online notary services exist in most states but require the document signer to appear on video and may take longer than in-person visits.
Banks and Credit Unions
Your own bank or credit union is the first place to check. Most have at least one notary on staff during business hours, and the service is free for account holders. Even if you do not have an account, some will notarize a document for a small fee or refer you to another location. Call the branch directly rather than the main customer service line, because the person who answers knows whether a notary is in the building that day.
Bring your ID and the document that needs notarizing. The notary will watch you sign, verify your identity, and add their seal and signature. The whole process takes five to ten minutes. Some banks require an appointment, especially if the notary is shared among multiple branches, so ask when you call.
Retail Notary Services
UPS Store and FedEx Office locations in most towns have notaries available during their regular hours. Staples also offers the service at many locations, though availability is less consistent than at UPS or FedEx. These businesses charge between $5 and $15 per signature, depending on the location and state. Many accept walk-ins, but calling ahead is safer because the notary may be busy or out to lunch.
Bring your ID and the unsigned document. The notary will verify your identity, watch you sign, and explore their seal. If you need multiple documents notarized, ask whether they charge per document or per signature — the difference matters if one document has several pages that all need signing.
Government Offices
Your county clerk, county recorder, or secretary of state's office employs notaries and charges little or nothing — often $1 to $5 per signature. These offices keep regular business hours, usually 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and do not require an appointment. The wait can be longer than at a bank or retail location, especially near the end of the month, but the cost is lower.
Find your county clerk's office by searching "[your county] clerk" online or calling the main county government number. Bring your ID and the document. Some offices are in the courthouse, some in a separate building, so confirm the address and parking before you go. A few counties also offer notary services at library branches, so check your local library website.
Online Notary Services
Many states now allow notarization by video, where you appear on screen with the notary, show your ID to the camera, and sign the document electronically or on paper. Services like Notarize, Notarybookmark, and some state bar associations offer this option. The cost is usually $25 to $50 per signature, higher than in-person, but you do not have to leave home or find a location nearby.
Online notarization takes longer to schedule than walking into a bank — usually one to three days — and requires a stable internet connection and a camera. Some documents cannot be notarized online; ask the service or the person requesting the notarization whether your document qualifies. If you need it done the same day, in-person is faster.
What to Bring and How the Process Works
Bring a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The notary will check that your name matches the document and that the ID is not expired. Bring the document unsigned; the notary must watch you sign it. If someone else is signing, they must be present in person with their own ID.
The notary will ask you to swear or affirm that you are signing of your own free will and that the information in the document is true. They will then watch you sign, add their seal and signature, and record the date and your ID number in their journal. The whole process takes five to fifteen minutes. Ask for a copy of the notarized document if you need one; some notaries provide it, others do not.
Cost Comparison
| Location | Cost per Signature | Appointment Needed | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank or credit union (account holder) | Free | Sometimes | Business hours |
| Bank or credit union (non-account holder) | $0–$10 | Sometimes | Business hours |
| UPS Store, FedEx Office, Staples | $5–$15 | No | Extended hours |
| County clerk or courthouse | $1–$5 | No | Business hours |
| Online notary service | $25–$50 | Yes | Varies |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a notary notarize a document I already signed?
No. The notary must watch you sign the document in front of them. If you have already signed it, the notary cannot notarize it. You will need a blank copy or a new document. Some notaries will cross out your signature and have you sign again in front of them, but this is not standard practice.
What if I do not have a government ID?
You cannot be notarized without a government-issued photo ID. If you do not have a driver's license or passport, you can get a state ID card from your DMV or equivalent office. Some notaries will accept a passport card or tribal ID if you do not have a U.S. driver's license.
Do I need an appointment at a bank?
It depends on the bank. Call the branch directly and ask. Some have a notary available during all business hours and take walk-ins; others require an appointment, especially if the notary is part-time or shared among branches. Retail locations like UPS Store usually accept walk-ins but may have a wait.
How long does notarization take?
In person, the process takes five to fifteen minutes once you are with the notary. Online notarization takes longer to schedule — one to three days — but the actual video session is also five to fifteen minutes. The wait time at the location depends on how busy they are.
Can I notarize a document for someone else?
No. The person signing the document must be present in person with their own ID. The notary watches them sign and verifies their identity. You cannot sign on someone else's behalf or have a notary notarize a signature that is not theirs.