Most banks do offer notary services, but availability depends on your bank, your account status, and whether you have an appointment
Many banks provide notary services to customers at no charge or for a small fee, typically between $0 and $15 per signature. However, not every branch offers it, not every employee is a notary, and some banks limit the service to account holders only. The fastest way to find out is to call your bank's main branch and ask whether notaries are available and whether you need an appointment.
If your bank does not offer notary services or the service is not available when you need it, you have other options: credit unions, law offices, title companies, and UPS stores all commonly provide notary services. Some charge a per-signature fee; others charge a flat rate per document.
Key Takeaways
- Call your bank's branch directly to ask if notaries are available, because not all branches have a notary on staff even if the bank offers the service.
- Many banks provide notary services free to account holders but may charge non-customers a small fee, usually $5 to $15 per signature.
- You will need to bring a valid government-issued photo ID and the document that needs notarizing; some banks also require an appointment.
- If your bank cannot help, credit unions, law offices, title companies, and UPS stores are common alternatives that charge $5 to $25 per signature.
- The notary will watch you sign the document and verify your identity—they do not sign on your behalf.
How to learn about your bank offers notary services
Call the branch where you hold your account and ask to speak with someone who can confirm whether a notary is available. Do not assume that because one branch offers the service, all branches do. Many banks employ notaries only at larger or downtown locations, so a small neighborhood branch may not have one.
When you call, ask three things: whether a notary is available, whether you need an appointment, and whether there is a fee for account holders. Some banks require you to make an appointment a day or two in advance; others handle walk-ins during business hours. If you are not an account holder, ask whether the bank will notarize for non-customers and what the fee is.
Write down the notary's hours and any requirements before you go. Bring your valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card) and the document that needs notarizing. The notary will ask you to sign in front of them and will verify that the signature on your ID matches the one you just made.
What banks typically charge for notary services
Most banks charge account holders nothing for notary services, though some charge $5 to $10 per signature. Non-customers usually pay $10 to $15 per signature. A few banks charge a flat fee per document rather than per signature—for example, $10 for a document with one signature and $15 for a document with two.
Call ahead to confirm the fee structure. Some banks advertise free notary services but then charge for documents that require multiple notarizations or for certain types of documents. If cost is a concern, compare the fee at your bank to the fee at a credit union or UPS store in your area before you go.
What to bring and what to expect
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and the original document that needs notarizing. The notary will not accept a photocopy of your ID, and they will not notarize a photocopy of the document—they must see and stamp the original. If the document is longer than one page, bring all pages.
The notary will ask you to sign the document in front of them while they watch. They will compare the signature on your ID to the one you just made to confirm they match. They will then stamp the document with an official seal and sign and date it themselves. The whole process usually takes five to ten minutes.
Some banks require you to state under oath that you understand what you are signing and that you are signing of your own free will. This is normal and does not mean anything is wrong with the document. The notary is straightforward creating a record that you signed willingly and with full knowledge of what you were signing.
When your bank cannot help
If your bank does not offer notary services, does not have a notary available when you need one, or charges a fee you do not want to pay, check with a credit union in your area. Many credit unions offer notary services to members at no charge, and some offer it to non-members for a small fee.
Law offices, title companies, and real estate offices often have notaries on staff. UPS stores and some FedEx locations also provide notary services for a per-signature fee, usually $5 to $25 depending on the location. Call ahead to confirm availability and cost, because not every location offers the service.
Documents that banks will and will not notarize
Banks will notarize most common documents: powers of attorney, affidavits, loan documents, property deeds, and travel permission letters for minors. They will not notarize documents you did not sign in front of them, documents that are already signed, or documents that appear to be fraudulent or forged.
Some banks refuse to notarize certain documents for liability reasons—for example, documents related to court cases or immigration matters. If you are unsure whether a bank will notarize your document, describe it to the notary over the phone before you go. They can tell you whether it is something they can handle.
Notary services at online and digital banks
Online banks and digital-only banks typically do not offer notary services because they have no physical branches. If you bank with an online-only institution, you will need to use a credit union, law office, title company, or UPS store instead.
Some online notary services exist, but they work differently from in-person notaries. A digital notary uses video conferencing to watch you sign and verify your identity remotely. These services are legal in many states but not all, and they cost more than in-person notaries—usually $50 to $150 per signature. Check your state's laws before using a digital notary, because some states do not recognize remote notarizations for certain documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a customer of the bank to use their notary?
Most banks will notarize for non-customers, but they may charge a higher fee—typically $10 to $15 per signature instead of free or $5. Call your bank to ask their policy. Some banks limit notary services to account holders only.
Can a notary notarize a document that is already signed?
No. A notary must watch you sign the document. If you have already signed it, the notary cannot notarize it. You will need to get a blank copy and sign it in front of the notary.
How long does notarization take?
The actual notarization usually takes five to ten minutes. However, if you need an appointment and the bank is busy, you may wait longer. Call ahead to ask about wait times and whether you should make an appointment.
What if I lose the notarized document after the notary stamps it?
You will need to get the document notarized again. The notary keeps a record of what they notarized, but they cannot issue a replacement stamp or certification. Go back to the same notary or find a different one and have them notarize a new copy.
Can a family member notarize a document for me?
No. A notary cannot notarize a document for a family member or anyone they have a financial interest in. The notary must be an impartial third party. This is why you cannot use a friend or relative as a notary.