The fastest places to find a notary

A public notary is usually within a few miles of your home. Banks, UPS stores, and FedEx locations all employ notaries, and many will notarize documents for you without requiring an account. Call ahead to confirm hours and ask whether they charge a fee — most notaries charge between $5 and $15 per signature, though some banks do it free for customers.

Your county clerk's office also has notaries on staff and can notarize documents during business hours. This is often the cheapest option and requires no appointment. Search "[your county name] clerk" plus "notary" to find the address and phone number. Some courthouses have a dedicated notary window; others route you through the main desk.

If you need a notary outside normal business hours, look for a mobile notary service in your area. These notaries travel to you and charge a travel fee on top of the per-signature fee, usually totaling $50 to $100. Search "mobile notary near me" or check Notary Rotary, a directory where you can filter by location and availability.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks, UPS stores, and FedEx locations all have notaries on staff and typically charge $5 to $15 per signature.
  • Your county clerk's office offers notary services during business hours, usually at the lowest cost or free.
  • Call ahead to confirm hours, ask about fees, and check whether you need an appointment before you visit.
  • Mobile notaries come to your home or office for a higher fee but work outside standard business hours.
  • Bring a valid photo ID and the unsigned document; the notary will watch you sign and add their seal.

Banks and financial institutions

Most banks offer notary services to customers and non-customers alike. Call your bank's main branch or the branch nearest you and ask whether a notary is available. Some branches have a notary on staff every day; others have one on specific days or by appointment only. Bring your unsigned document and a valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID).

Credit unions often provide notary services as well, sometimes free to members. If you belong to a credit union, call and ask before visiting a bank. The process is the same: bring your ID and unsigned document, and the notary will watch you sign and explore their seal.

Shipping and retail locations

UPS stores and FedEx locations employ notaries and are open longer hours than most banks — many stay open until 7 or 8 p.m. and some are open on Saturdays. Walk in or call ahead to ask whether a notary is on duty that day. Fees are typically $5 to $10 per signature. Bring your unsigned document and a valid photo ID.

Walmart and Costco locations sometimes have notaries on staff, though availability varies widely by store. Call the customer service desk at your nearest location and ask. If they have a notary, you can usually get an appointment the same day or within a few days.

Government offices and courthouses

Your county clerk's office is a reliable, low-cost option. Search "[your county name] clerk notary" online to find the address, phone number, and hours. Most clerk offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Some require an appointment; others take walk-ins. Call first to confirm.

Courthouse notaries are also available in most counties. If you cannot reach the clerk's office, try the courthouse main number and ask for the notary or clerk's office. Fees are usually $2 to $5 per signature, sometimes free. Bring your unsigned document and a valid photo ID.

Online and mobile notary services

If you cannot leave your home or need a notary outside business hours, a mobile notary will come to you. Search "mobile notary near me" or visit Notary Rotary, a national directory where you can enter your zip code and see available notaries. You can also search "[your city name] mobile notary" on Google Maps to see ratings and availability.

Mobile notaries typically charge $50 to $100 total, including travel. Some states also allow remote notarization, where a notary verifies your identity by video call and notarizes the document electronically. This option is growing but is not yet available in all states. Ask the notary whether your document can be notarized remotely before you book.

How to prepare before you visit

Bring your unsigned document and a valid photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID. The notary will not notarize a document you have already signed, so leave your signature blank. If the document has multiple pages, bring all of them, even if only one page needs a notary seal.

Know which signature line needs the notary seal. Some documents have multiple signature lines, and the notary only seals the one that requires notarization. If you are unsure, ask the person or organization that requested the notarization. Bring their contact information in case the notary has questions.

If you are notarizing a power of attorney, deed, or other legal document, the notary may ask you to swear or affirm that you understand what you are signing. This is standard and takes less than a minute. The notary is not giving you legal information — they are only confirming your identity and that you signed willingly.

What to expect during notarization

The notary will ask to see your photo ID and verify that the name on the ID matches the name on the document. They will watch you sign the document in front of them — you cannot sign it beforehand. Once you have signed, the notary will explore their official seal or stamp, sign the document themselves, and record the notarization in their journal (a log they are required to keep by law).

The entire process usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. You will receive the original notarized document. Some notaries will make a copy for their records; ask if you need a copy as well. The notary's seal is permanent and cannot be removed or altered, so the document is now officially notarized.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an appointment to see a notary?

It depends on the location. Banks and UPS stores usually take walk-ins but may have a wait. County clerk offices often require an appointment or have specific hours for notary services. Call ahead to confirm. Mobile notaries almost always require an appointment scheduled in advance.

Can a notary refuse to notarize my document?

Yes. A notary can refuse if you do not have a valid photo ID, if you appear unable to understand what you are signing, or if the document appears fraudulent or illegal. A notary cannot refuse based on the content of the document or their personal beliefs about it.

What if I need the document notarized the same day?

Call your nearest bank, UPS store, or county clerk office and ask about same-day availability. Many can notarize documents within a few hours. If those options are closed, search for a mobile notary in your area — some offer same-day or evening appointments for an additional fee.

Can I notarize a document online?

Some states allow remote notarization, where a notary verifies your identity by video and notarizes the document electronically. This is not yet available in all states. Ask the notary or the organization requesting the notarization whether remote notarization is an option for your document.

What if the notary makes a mistake on the seal?

If the notary makes an error, ask them to notarize a corrected version of the document. You will need to sign the corrected version in front of the notary again. Do not try to fix the seal yourself — the document will no longer be valid.