Who performs notarizations
A notary public is a person appointed by your state to witness signatures and verify identity. They are not lawyers, and they do not give legal information. Their job is to confirm that the person signing a document is who they say they are, that they signed it willingly, and that they understood what they were signing.
Notaries work in banks, law offices, real estate agencies, shipping stores, and government offices. Some are self-employed and work from home or a rented office. A few states allow remote notarization by video, though most require the notary and signer to be in the same room.
Requirements to become a notary vary by state. Most states require you to be at least 18, a resident or employee of that state, and able to read and write English. Some states require a background check or a short exam. Once appointed, a notary typically serves for four to ten years before reapplying.
Key Takeaways
- Notaries are appointed by the state and work in banks, law offices, shipping stores, and government offices, or as independent contractors.
- A notary's only job is to witness your signature, confirm your identity, and document that you signed willingly — they cannot advise you on whether a document is correct or necessary.
- Banks and credit unions often notarize for free if you are a customer; shipping stores and independent notaries charge between $5 and $25 per signature.
- You will need a government-issued photo ID, and the notary will keep a record of the transaction in their journal.
Where notaries work
Banks and credit unions are the easiest first stop. Most offer notary services free to account holders and charge a small fee to non-customers. Call ahead to confirm they have a notary on staff and ask about their hours — some branches have only one notary, and they may be unavailable during lunch or on certain days.
Law offices, real estate agencies, and title companies notarize regularly as part of their work. They may charge a fee or do it free if you are a client. If you are buying a house or dealing with a legal matter, ask your attorney or agent whether they can notarize.
UPS Store, FedEx Office, and other shipping and business service centers employ notaries. Fees typically run $5 to $15 per signature. Hours are often longer than banks, and many locations are open on weekends. Search online for "notary near me" and filter by location and hours.
Government offices — county clerks, secretary of state offices, and some public libraries — may have notaries available. Call first, as availability varies widely. Some offer the service free; others charge a nominal fee.
How to find a notary in your area
The National Notary Association maintains a searchable directory at notary.org. Enter your state, city, and ZIP code to see notaries near you, their hours, and whether they charge a fee. The directory includes banks, independent notaries, and business service centers.
Your state's secretary of state office also maintains a list of commissioned notaries. Search "[your state] secretary of state notary search" to find the official directory. Some states require notaries to register their location; others do not, so the list may be incomplete.
Call your bank or credit union first if you have an account there. If they do not have a notary or their hours do not work, ask them to recommend a local notary they know. Many banks have relationships with independent notaries and can refer you.
What to bring to a notarization
Bring a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The notary must see it in person and verify that the photo matches you and that the ID is not expired. Without valid ID, the notary cannot proceed.
Bring the document you need notarized, unsigned. The notary will watch you sign it. Do not sign it beforehand — the notary must witness the signature. If the document has multiple pages, bring all of them.
Know what you are signing. The notary will ask you to confirm that you understand the document and are signing it of your own free will. If you do not understand it, ask the notary to explain what it says — though they cannot advise you on whether it is a good idea or whether you should sign it.
Cost and what the notary records
Fees range from free (at your bank if you are a customer) to $25 per signature at an independent notary in a high-cost area. Most notaries charge $5 to $15. Some documents require multiple notarized signatures; ask the notary how many signatures your document needs before you pay.
The notary keeps a record of every notarization in a journal. The journal includes the date, your name, the type of document, and the notary's seal impression. This record is public in most states and can be requested by a court or law enforcement. The journal protects both you and the notary by creating a permanent record of the transaction.
Some notaries will travel to you — your home, office, or hospital — for a higher fee, often $25 to $50 plus mileage. If you are unable to leave your location, search for "mobile notary" in your area.
Remote notarization by video
A growing number of states allow notarization by video conference. The notary and signer appear on screen together, the notary verifies the signer's ID by looking at it on camera, and the document is signed electronically or printed and signed after the call. Remote notarization is faster and more convenient if you cannot meet in person.
Not all states permit it, and rules vary. Some states allow it only for certain types of documents. Check your state's secretary of state website or call a notary to ask whether remote notarization is available for your document. If it is, you will typically pay the same fee as an in-person notarization.
What a notary cannot do
A notary cannot tell you whether a document is correct, necessary, or a good idea. They cannot advise you on the legal meaning of a contract or whether you should sign it. If you need that kind of help, you need a lawyer, not a notary.
A notary cannot notarize a document they wrote, a document that benefits them, or a signature they did not witness in person (except in states that allow remote notarization). A notary cannot notarize a blank document or a document with blanks that you fill in after notarization.
A notary cannot notarize a signature that is not in their presence, and they cannot notarize a document on behalf of someone who is not there. If you need someone else to sign, that person must appear in front of the notary themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a notary refuse to notarize a document?
Yes. A notary can refuse if they do not believe you are who you say you are, if you appear to be signing under pressure, if the document is blank or has suspicious blanks, or if they have a conflict of interest. A notary can also refuse if they do not understand the document or if the signer cannot communicate clearly.
How long does a notarization take?
Most notarizations take 5 to 10 minutes. The notary will check your ID, ask you to confirm you understand the document and are signing willingly, watch you sign, and then explore their seal and signature. Longer documents or multiple signatures may take 15 to 20 minutes.
Do I need a notary if the document says "notarize optional"?
No. If notarization is optional, you can sign the document without a notary. However, a notarized signature carries more weight in court because the notary has verified your identity. If the document may be challenged later, notarization is worth the cost.
Can I notarize a document for a family member?
Yes, as long as you are a commissioned notary in that state. However, many notaries refuse to notarize for family members to avoid conflicts of interest. If you are a notary, check your state's rules and your own comfort level before agreeing.
What if I need a document notarized but the notary is closed?
Search for a mobile notary or a notary with evening or weekend hours. UPS Store and FedEx Office locations are often open later and on weekends. If your document is urgent, ask whether your bank can refer you to an emergency notary or whether remote notarization is available in your state.