The fastest places to find a notary near you

A notary is usually within a few miles of your home or workplace. Banks, UPS stores, and FedEx locations all employ notaries and often serve the public without requiring an account. Your county clerk's office and public libraries also offer notary services, usually for a small fee or free. Call ahead to confirm hours and whether they require an appointment — many do.

If you need a notary outside normal business hours, some 24-hour pharmacies and hotels have notaries on staff. Online notary services are also available in most states, though they work through video call rather than in person and require your state to permit remote notarization.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks, UPS stores, and FedEx locations employ notaries and typically serve customers and non-customers alike during business hours.
  • County clerk offices and public libraries offer notary services, often for free or under five dollars, and can usually schedule you within a few days.
  • Calling ahead is essential because many notaries require an appointment and some have limits on the number of documents they will notarize in one visit.
  • Online notary services work through video call in states that permit remote notarization, and you can often schedule same-day appointments.
  • A notary will ask for government-issued photo identification and will watch you sign the document in person — they cannot notarize a signature you made before they arrived.

Banks and financial institutions

Most banks offer notary services to customers at no charge and to non-customers for a small fee, usually between five and fifteen dollars. Call the branch directly rather than the main customer service line — the person who answers will know whether a notary is in the building that day and whether you need an appointment. Bring your government-issued photo ID and the unsigned document.

Credit unions often have the same policy as banks. If you are a member, call your branch to ask. If you are not, ask whether they notarize for non-members and what the fee is — policies vary widely between credit unions.

Retail and shipping locations

UPS stores and FedEx locations employ notaries and serve the public regardless of whether you are a customer. Hours vary by location, so search online for the nearest store and call to confirm they have a notary on duty. Most charge between five and twenty dollars per signature. Some locations require an appointment, especially during busy times.

Walgreens and CVS pharmacies often have notaries on staff, particularly in larger stores. Call the store directly — corporate policy allows notarization, but not every location has a notary available. Hours are usually longer than banks, and many are open on weekends.

Government offices and libraries

Your county clerk's office notarizes documents for a fee set by your state, typically between two and five dollars per signature. Hours are usually 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Some offices take walk-ins, but many now require an appointment — check your county's website or call ahead. Bring your photo ID and the unsigned document.

Public libraries in many counties offer free or low-cost notary services. Call your local branch to ask whether they have a notary and whether you need to book an appointment. Some libraries limit notarization to cardholders only, while others serve anyone in the county.

Online notary services

Remote notarization is available in all fifty states, though the rules about what documents can be notarized online vary. You will need a government-issued photo ID, a camera or webcam, and a document that is not already signed. The notary will conduct a video call, watch you sign the document, and then email you a notarized copy.

Services like Notarize, NotaryCam, and LegitScan typically charge between twenty-five and seventy-five dollars per signature and can often schedule you within hours. Some title companies and real estate platforms also offer online notarization as part of their closing process. Check whether your document can be notarized remotely — some states restrict remote notarization to specific document types.

What to bring and what to expect

Bring a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The notary will check it to confirm your identity. Bring the unsigned document. A notary cannot notarize a signature that was made before they arrived, so the document must be blank where your signature goes.

The notary will watch you sign the document in front of them. They will then add their seal and signature, which certifies that they watched you sign and that your ID matched your name. The whole process usually takes five to ten minutes per signature. If you have multiple documents, the time adds up — some notaries limit you to three or four documents per visit.

Bring cash or a card if there is a fee. Many notaries accept both, but some take only cash. Ask when you call to confirm.

Finding a notary when you are traveling

If you need a notary in a city where you do not live, call the hotel front desk — many hotels have a notary on staff or can refer you to one nearby. The county clerk's office in that county will also notarize documents for anyone, regardless of where they live. Search online for "[county name] clerk notary" and call to ask about hours and fees.

If you are in a rural area or a town without obvious notary services, call the local bank or ask at the post office. Post offices do not employ notaries, but the staff usually know who in town does.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a notary notarize a document that is already signed?

No. A notary must watch you sign the document in front of them. If you signed it before the notary arrived, they cannot notarize it. You will need a new blank copy and will have to sign it again in front of the notary.

Do I need an appointment or can I just walk in?

It depends on the location. Banks and libraries often take walk-ins but may have a wait. UPS stores, FedEx, and county clerk offices increasingly require appointments, especially in busy areas. Call ahead to ask — it takes two minutes and saves a trip.

What if the notary is not available when I call?

Ask when the notary will be in next and whether you can schedule an appointment. If the location does not have a notary, ask for a referral to another nearby location. Many notaries work part-time, so calling back at a different time of day sometimes helps.

How much does notarization cost?

Fees vary by location and state. Banks charge nothing for customers and five to fifteen dollars for non-customers. County clerks charge two to five dollars. UPS and FedEx charge five to twenty dollars. Online notaries charge twenty-five to seventy-five dollars. Always ask the fee before you go in or schedule an appointment.

Can I notarize a document online if I live in my state?

Yes, if your state permits remote notarization. All fifty states allow it, but some restrict it to certain document types — real estate closings, for example, or financial documents. Ask the online notary service whether your specific document can be notarized remotely before you pay.