The fastest places to find a notary are banks, UPS stores, and your county clerk's office
Most banks offer notary services to customers at no charge, and many will notarize for non-customers for a small fee—usually $5 to $15 per signature. Call ahead to confirm your branch has a notary on staff and ask about their hours, since not all locations have one available every day. UPS stores (The UPS Store, not regular UPS locations) employ notaries and are open longer hours than banks, typically until 7 or 8 p.m. on weekdays and Saturday mornings.
Your county clerk's office always has notaries available during business hours, and the fee is set by state law—usually $2 to $5 per signature. This is the cheapest option and works even if you have no banking relationship anywhere. Search "[your county] clerk notary" or call the main clerk's office number to find the address and hours.
If you need a notary outside normal business hours, some 24-hour pharmacies (Walgreens, CVS) and FedEx Office locations employ notaries, though availability varies by store. Call first rather than showing up, because staffing changes and not every location maintains a notary.
Key Takeaways
- Your bank is often free for customers and usually has a notary during regular hours; call to confirm before you visit.
- The UPS Store and county clerk's office are open longer and do not require you to be a customer, with fees between $2 and $15 per signature.
- Some pharmacies and shipping centers have notaries, but you must call ahead because availability changes by location.
- Bring a government-issued photo ID and the unsigned document; the notary will watch you sign and verify your identity.
How to search for notaries in your area
Start with a straightforward search: "[your city] notary public" or "[your county] notary services." Google Maps will show you banks, UPS stores, and independent notary offices with their hours and phone numbers. Many will display customer reviews mentioning whether they notarize letters and how long the wait was.
If you want to find independent notaries (people who work for themselves rather than a business), search "[your state] notary directory" or "[your county] notary public directory." Most states maintain an official list of commissioned notaries with their phone numbers and service areas. This is useful if you need a notary outside business hours or in a rural area where banks are sparse.
Call before you go. Ask whether they notarize letters (most do, but some specialize in real estate documents), what the fee is, how long it takes, and whether they have an opening that day. Many notaries work by appointment, especially independent ones, and a 10-minute phone call saves you a wasted trip.
What to bring when you visit a notary
Bring the unsigned letter or document, a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card), and cash or a card for the fee. The notary will not notarize a document you have already signed, so leave your pen at home—they will watch you sign it in front of them.
If the letter is addressed to someone specific or refers to a particular transaction, bring any supporting documents that explain the context. For example, if you are notarizing a letter about a vehicle sale, bring the bill of sale or title. The notary does not need to understand the letter's purpose, but having the background on hand speeds up the process if they ask questions.
Some notaries ask you to fill out a journal entry (a record of the notarization). This takes a minute and is normal. You may also be asked to swear or affirm that the information in the letter is true—this is part of the notary's job and does not mean anything is wrong.
Notary fees and what they cover
Fees are set by state law and typically range from $2 to $15 per signature. Banks often charge nothing for customers and $5 to $10 for non-customers. UPS stores usually charge $10 to $15. County clerk offices charge the state minimum, which is the cheapest option. Independent notaries set their own fees within the state limit and may charge more if you need them to travel to you or work outside normal hours.
The fee covers one signature on one document. If your letter has two pages and you need to sign both, that is still one signature and one fee. If you have multiple separate documents to notarize, you pay per document. Some notaries offer a discount if you have several documents, so ask.
A few notaries offer mobile or remote notary services, where they come to your home or office or notarize over video. These cost more—often $25 to $50—but are worth it if you are homebound or have a tight schedule. Search "[your city] mobile notary" to find these services.
When banks and stores might not have a notary available
Not every branch of a chain has a notary on staff. A large downtown bank branch almost certainly does; a small suburban branch might not. Call the specific location you plan to visit rather than assuming. The same is true for UPS stores—most have a notary, but some do not, especially in very small towns.
Weekends are hit-or-miss. Some banks and UPS stores have notaries on Saturday morning, but many do not. If you need a notary on a weekend, call ahead or plan to visit on a weekday. County clerk offices are closed on weekends and holidays, so they are not an option outside business hours.
During busy seasons (tax time, real estate closing season in spring and fall), notaries at banks and UPS stores may have long waits or limited availability. If you can, visit early in the week or early in the day to avoid crowds.
What to do if you cannot find a notary nearby
If you live in a rural area or a small town with no banks or UPS stores, the county clerk's office is your most reliable option. Even in counties with few services, the clerk's office has at least one notary available during business hours. Call the main county number and ask for the clerk's office or the notary public section.
If the clerk's office is far away or has limited hours, search for independent notaries in your county using the state notary directory. Many independent notaries are willing to travel short distances or work flexible hours. You can also ask your bank (even if it is in another town) whether they offer notary services by mail or whether they can refer you to someone local.
Some employers offer notary services to employees through their HR or legal department. If you work for a large company, ask whether this is available to you—it is often free.
Remote and online notary options
Some states allow notaries to notarize documents over video call. This is called remote online notarization (RON). The process usually involves uploading your document, showing your ID to the notary on camera, signing the document while they watch, and receiving a notarized copy by email. This works well if you cannot leave home or need a notary outside business hours.
Not all states allow RON, and not all documents can be notarized remotely—some require the original document in hand. Search "[your state] remote notary" or "[your state] online notarization" to see whether it is available where you live. Fees are usually $15 to $30 per signature and may be higher than in-person notarization.
Services like Notarize.com and LegitScan connect you with notaries who work remotely. You can book an appointment online and complete the notarization within hours. These are useful if you have an urgent important date or live far from any notary office, but they cost more than a local bank or clerk's office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a notary refuse to notarize my letter?
Yes. A notary can refuse if they believe you are being coerced, if you cannot prove your identity, or if the document appears fraudulent. They can also refuse if the letter asks them to notarize something they are not trained to do. Most notaries will notarize a straightforward letter without question as long as you have ID and sign it in front of them.
Do I need an appointment or can I just walk in?
Banks and UPS stores usually take walk-ins, but calling ahead is safer because they may be busy or the notary may be on break. Independent notaries almost always require an appointment. County clerk offices take walk-ins during business hours, though you may wait 15 to 30 minutes during busy times.
What if I do not have a government ID?
Most notaries require 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. Some notaries will accept other forms of ID in rare cases, but this is uncommon. Call ahead and ask if you are unsure.
How long does notarization take?
The actual notarization takes 5 to 10 minutes. The wait to see a notary depends on where you go—banks and UPS stores may have a short wait during busy hours, while county clerk offices can take 15 to 45 minutes. Independent notaries are usually faster because they work by appointment.
Can I notarize a letter I already signed?
No. The notary must watch you sign the document. If you have already signed it, you will need to get a blank copy, bring it unsigned, and sign it in front of the notary. This is why it is important to ask the notary whether you should sign before you arrive.