Bank of America's Notary Services for Customers

Bank of America offers notary services, but only to customers who hold an account at the bank. If you have a checking or savings account with Bank of America, you can request notarization at most branch locations at no charge. The service is free because it is a customer benefit, not a revenue stream.

Not every branch offers notary services during every hour. Availability depends on whether a notary public is working that day and whether they are available when you walk in. Branches in smaller towns or rural areas may have limited notary availability, sometimes only one or two days per week. You should call your local branch before you go to confirm a notary is present and ask what documents they can notarize.

Bank of America notaries can notarize most common documents: powers of attorney, affidavits, loan documents, and signature verification forms. They cannot notarize documents that require a witness (separate from the notary), documents they cannot read, or documents that appear to have been altered. If your power of attorney form has special requirements — such as a specific notary seal format or language — ask the branch whether they can meet those requirements before you arrive.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America notarizes documents free for account holders, but the service is not available at every branch or every hour.
  • You must call ahead to confirm a notary is working and available, because staffing varies by location and day.
  • Bring your account holder ID and the document you need notarized; the notary will ask to see your identification to verify your identity.
  • If your power of attorney form has specific notary requirements or language, confirm the branch can meet those needs before you go.
  • Non-customers can use other sources: UPS stores, FedEx locations, and independent notary publics, though those services charge a fee.

What to Bring When You Visit

Bring your Bank of America debit card or account statement to prove you hold an account. Bring a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The notary must see both your account status and your identity before they notarize anything.

Bring the document you need notarized. If it is a power of attorney, bring the original or a clean copy. The notary will read it to make sure it is complete and legible. If the document has blank spaces or appears to have been written over, the notary may refuse to notarize it because it looks altered.

If you are unsure whether your document meets the bank's standards, call the branch and describe it to the notary or branch manager. Some power of attorney forms have unusual formatting or language that a notary needs to review before you arrive.

When Bank of America Cannot Notarize

Bank of America notaries will not notarize a document if you cannot prove your identity or if you are not an account holder. They will not notarize a document that requires a witness separate from the notary — for example, some states require a power of attorney to be signed in front of both a notary and a witness. In that case, you need to bring the witness with you, and the notary will notarize in front of both of you.

Notaries also cannot notarize a document they cannot read, a document that appears altered or incomplete, or a document where the signature is already present but you are asking the notary to notarize it anyway. If your power of attorney has already been signed, the notary cannot add their seal after the fact — the document must be unsigned when you bring it in.

Alternatives if Your Branch Cannot Help

If your local Bank of America branch does not have notary services or the hours do not work for you, UPS stores and FedEx locations offer notarization for a fee, usually between $10 and $25 per document. These services are open longer hours than banks and do not require you to be a customer. You can search "notary near me" online to find independent notary publics in your area; many work evenings and weekends and charge per signature.

Some law offices and title companies also notarize documents, though they may charge a fee or require you to be a client. If you are working with a lawyer on your power of attorney, ask whether they have a notary on staff who can notarize it as part of your legal work.

Online notarization services exist in some states, though not all states recognize them for powers of attorney. Check your state's laws before using an online notary, because a power of attorney notarized online may not be valid in your state or in the state where you plan to use it.

How to Find Your Nearest Bank of America Branch

Go to bankofamerica.com and use the branch locator tool. Enter your zip code or address, and the tool will show you nearby branches, their hours, and whether they offer notary services. Call the branch directly at the number listed to confirm a notary is available before you go.

If you do not have internet access, call Bank of America's customer service line at 1-800-432-1000. Tell them you need notary services and ask which branches near you offer them and what their hours are.

What Happens During the Notarization

The notary will ask you to sign the document in front of them. They will examine your ID to confirm you are who you say you are. They will read the document to make sure it is complete and that you understand what you are signing. They will then stamp or seal the document with their notary seal and sign it themselves. The whole process usually takes 5 to 10 minutes.

The notary will keep a record of the notarization in their journal. This record is for their files and is not shared with you, but it serves as proof that the notarization took place if anyone questions it later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a Bank of America customer to get a document notarized there?

Yes. Bank of America notarizes documents only for account holders. If you do not have an account, you will need to use a UPS store, FedEx location, or independent notary public instead.

How much does it cost to get a document notarized at Bank of America?

It is free for account holders. Non-customers must use other notary services, which typically charge $10 to $25 per document.

Can I notarize a power of attorney that is already signed?

No. The document must be unsigned when you bring it to the notary. The notary watches you sign it and then adds their seal. If it is already signed, the notary cannot notarize it.

What if I need a witness as well as a notary for my power of attorney?

Bring the witness with you to the branch. The notary will notarize the document in front of both of you. Some states require a witness signature separate from the notary; check your state's power of attorney law to see whether you need one.

Can I notarize a document online at Bank of America?

Bank of America does not offer online notarization. You must visit a branch in person. Some states allow online notarization through other services, but check your state's laws first — not all states recognize online notarized powers of attorney.