The fastest places to find a notary in your area

A notary public is usually available within a few miles of your home or office. Banks, UPS stores, and FedEx locations all employ notaries and often charge $5 to $15 per signature. Call ahead—many notaries work by appointment only, and some require you to be a customer of that bank or service.

Your county clerk's office keeps a registry of notaries licensed in your area and can give you names and phone numbers. This is free information and takes one phone call. Some county clerks also offer notary services directly, though hours are limited to business days.

Online notary services exist in most states and work through video call. You upload your document, show your ID to a notary on screen, and they electronically sign and seal it. This costs $25 to $50 but works at any hour and from home. Check whether your document can be notarized remotely—some legal papers cannot be.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks, UPS stores, and FedEx locations all have notaries on staff and charge $5 to $15 per signature, but many require an appointment.
  • Your county clerk's office maintains a free public list of licensed notaries in your area and can give you contact information by phone.
  • Online notary services work by video call in most states and cost $25 to $50, though some documents cannot be notarized remotely.
  • Always call ahead to confirm hours, whether an appointment is needed, and whether the notary charges a fee.

Banks and financial institutions

Most banks offer notary services to customers at no charge or for a small fee. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and regional banks typically have at least one notary on staff. Call your branch directly and ask whether a notary is available and whether you need an appointment. Some branches require you to be a customer; others do not.

Credit unions often provide notary services to members for free. If you belong to a credit union, call your local branch first—this is usually the cheapest option. Hours are typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and many branches close for lunch.

Retail and shipping locations

UPS Store locations and FedEx Office locations employ notaries and are open to the public. Fees range from $5 to $15 per signature. Many UPS and FedEx locations are open on Saturdays and some on Sundays, which makes them useful if you cannot visit during the week. Search "UPS Store near me" or "FedEx Office near me" online to find the closest location and call to confirm notary availability and hours.

Walmart and Staples locations sometimes have notaries on staff, but availability varies by store. Call ahead rather than showing up—not every location offers this service.

County clerk and government offices

Your county clerk's office is a public record of all notaries licensed in your county. Call the main number and ask for the notary registry or notary list. The clerk can read you names, phone numbers, and addresses of notaries near you. This service is free and takes five minutes.

Some county clerk offices also provide notary services directly to the public. Hours are usually 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays only. Fees vary by county but are typically $5 to $10 per signature. Arrive early or call ahead, as these offices can have long lines.

Online notary services

Remote notary services let you work with a notary by video call from your home or office. The process takes 10 to 15 minutes. You upload your document, show a government-issued ID to the notary on camera, sign the document while they watch, and they electronically sign and seal it. Costs range from $25 to $50 per signature.

Online notaries work in most states but not all. Check your state's notary laws before using a remote service—some states do not allow remote notarization for certain documents, such as wills or powers of attorney. Major online notary platforms include Notarize, NotaryCam, and LegitScript-certified services. Search "online notary [your state]" to find services available where you live.

How to search for notaries by location

Google Maps is the fastest way to find notaries near you. Search "notary public near me" and the map will show banks, UPS stores, and independent notaries within a few miles. Click on each location to see hours, phone number, and customer reviews. Call before you go to confirm the notary is available and ask about fees.

Your state's notary board website also lists licensed notaries. Search "[your state] notary public directory" or "[your state] secretary of state notary search." These databases let you search by city or zip code and show the notary's address and phone number. This is a reliable way to find independent notaries who work from home offices.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring a government-issued photo ID—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The notary will check this before notarizing anything. Bring the original document that needs to be notarized. Notaries cannot notarize copies or documents you have not seen in person.

Know which signature or signatures need to be notarized. Some documents have multiple signature lines, and you may only need one or two notarized. Ask the notary which lines they will notarize. Bring a pen in case the notary asks you to sign in front of them—some documents require this, and others do not.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a notary cost?

Fees range from free (at your bank if you are a customer) to $5 to $15 at retail locations like UPS and FedEx, to $25 to $50 for online notaries. Some county clerk offices charge $5 to $10. Always call ahead to ask about the fee before you visit.

Can I get a notary on the same day?

Yes. Banks, UPS stores, and FedEx locations often have notaries available same-day if you call in the morning. Online notaries can work within hours. County clerk offices may have same-day availability but can have long waits. Call ahead to confirm.

What if I need a notary after hours or on a weekend?

Some UPS and FedEx locations are open on Saturdays and Sundays. Online notary services work 24/7 in most states. Independent notaries sometimes work evenings and weekends—search your state's notary directory and call to ask about availability.

Do I need an appointment?

Many banks and retail notaries work by appointment only, especially during busy hours. Call ahead to ask. Online notaries always require you to schedule a video call in advance. County clerk offices typically do not take appointments and operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Can a notary notarize a document I signed before I met them?

No. A notary must watch you sign the document or confirm that your signature is genuine. If you have already signed, the notary cannot notarize it. You will need to sign again in front of the notary.