The fastest places to find a notary in your area

A notary public is usually available within a few miles of where you live. Banks, credit unions, and UPS stores (which offer notary services at many locations) are the quickest stops — most have someone on staff during business hours and charge between $5 and $15 per signature. If you need a notary outside normal hours, mobile notaries will come to your home or office for a higher fee, typically $25 to $75 depending on distance and time of day.

Your state's notary directory is the most reliable source. Each state maintains a searchable list of commissioned notaries, usually on the Secretary of State website. You can search by county or city and get contact information, hours, and sometimes whether they offer mobile service. This list is free and shows only active, current notaries.

If you do not have internet access or prefer to call, your county clerk's office can tell you which notaries work nearby and whether any are available same-day. They also know if any local libraries or government offices have notaries on staff — many do, and the service is free or costs only $1 to $3.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks, credit unions, and UPS stores have notaries on staff during business hours and charge $5 to $15 per signature.
  • Your state's Secretary of State website maintains a free searchable directory of all commissioned notaries in your area, organized by county.
  • County clerk offices and many public libraries have notaries available, often at no cost or for $1 to $3.
  • Mobile notaries will travel to your home or office for $25 to $75, which is useful if you need service outside business hours or cannot travel.
  • When you call ahead, confirm the notary is available, ask about fees, and check whether they charge extra for travel or for notarizing multiple documents.

Banks and credit unions

Most banks and credit unions offer notary services to customers at no charge or for $5 to $10 per signature. Non-customers usually pay $10 to $15. Call ahead to confirm a notary is working that day — many branches have only one notary, and they may be away from their desk or on vacation.

Hours are typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, with some branches open Saturday mornings. Bring your document and a government-issued photo ID. The notary will witness your signature, stamp the document, and record the date and their commission number. The whole process takes 5 to 10 minutes.

UPS stores and shipping centers

UPS stores, FedEx Office locations, and independent shipping centers often have notaries on staff. Not every location offers the service, so search the UPS or FedEx website first or call ahead. Fees are usually $10 to $15 per signature, and hours run 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, with weekend hours at many locations.

These businesses are useful if you need a notary outside traditional banking hours. Some are open on Saturday and Sunday, which banks are not. Bring your document and photo ID, and expect the same 5 to 10 minute process as a bank.

Your state's notary directory

Every state maintains a free online directory of commissioned notaries. Search the Secretary of State website for your state — the URL is usually sos.[state].gov. Look for a link labeled "Notary Public Directory," "Find a Notary," or "Notary Search."

The directory lets you search by county, city, or ZIP code and shows each notary's name, phone number, address, and sometimes their hours and whether they offer mobile service. Some directories also show whether a notary specializes in loan signings or other document types. This list is updated regularly and shows only active notaries with current commissions.

If you cannot find the directory on the main page, call your state's Secretary of State office — the phone number is listed on the website — and ask for the notary directory link or a list of notaries in your area.

County clerk offices and public libraries

Your county clerk's office almost always has a notary on staff, and the service is free or costs $1 to $3. Hours are usually 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Call ahead to confirm a notary is available and to ask whether you need an appointment — some offices take walk-ins, while others require you to schedule a time slot.

Many public libraries also have notaries on staff, often at no charge. Call your local branch to ask whether they offer the service and what hours the notary works. Libraries are sometimes more flexible with scheduling than government offices and may have evening or weekend hours.

Mobile notaries

A mobile notary will travel to your home, office, or another location to notarize your document. This is useful if you cannot leave work, have mobility issues, or need service outside business hours. Fees range from $25 to $75 depending on how far the notary has to travel and what time of day you need them.

Find mobile notaries through your state's notary directory (many list whether a notary offers mobile service), through Google Maps (search "mobile notary near me"), or by calling local notaries and asking whether they travel. Confirm the fee before they arrive, and ask whether they charge extra if you need more than one document notarized. Most mobile notaries require 24 to 48 hours' notice, though some offer same-day service for an additional fee.

What to bring and what to expect

Bring your unsigned document and a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The notary will ask you to sign the document in front of them, confirm your identity, and record the date and their commission number on the document. They will then stamp or emboss the page with their official seal.

The process takes 5 to 10 minutes for one or two documents. If you have many documents to notarize, call ahead and ask whether the notary charges per signature or per visit — some charge a flat fee for multiple documents, which saves money. Bring cash or a card, as not all notaries accept both payment methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I notarize a document online?

Some states allow remote online notarization, where a notary watches you sign via video call. This is not available everywhere — check your state's Secretary of State website to see whether it is permitted. If it is, search "remote notary" or "online notary" plus your state name to find providers. Fees are usually $15 to $25.

What if I need a notary on a weekend or after 5 p.m.?

Mobile notaries are your best option for evenings and weekends. Some UPS stores and FedEx locations are also open on Saturday and Sunday. Search "mobile notary near me" or call local notaries and ask whether they work evenings or weekends — many do for an extra fee.

Do I have to use a notary in my state?

Yes, the notary must be commissioned in the state where the document is being signed. If you live in one state but are signing a document for use in another state, you need a notary commissioned in the state where you are physically located, not the state where the document will be filed.

How much does a notary cost?

Fees vary by location and type of service. Banks charge $0 to $15, UPS stores and shipping centers charge $10 to $15, county offices charge $0 to $3, and mobile notaries charge $25 to $75. Ask about the fee when you call or before the notary begins work.

Can I notarize a document for a family member?

No. A notary cannot notarize a document for a spouse, parent, child, or sibling in most states. The notary must be impartial and have no financial interest in the document. If you need a document notarized and the available notary is related to you, find a different notary.