Most banks do notarize, but not all branches and not without conditions
Whether your bank notarizes depends on three things: whether the bank offers notary services at all, whether your specific branch has a notary on staff, and whether you meet their customer requirements. Large national banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase offer notary services at many locations, but smaller regional banks and credit unions vary widely. Some have a notary in every branch; others have none.
The catch is that most banks notarize only for their own customers, and many charge a fee per signature—typically $5 to $15, though some waive it for account holders. A few banks notarize for non-customers but at a higher rate. You cannot assume your branch has a notary available without calling first, because staffing differs by location.
If your bank does not notarize or your branch does not have a notary, you have other routes: title companies, real estate agents, law offices, UPS stores, and dedicated notary services. Some are free; most charge $5 to $25 per signature depending on the document type and your location.
Key Takeaways
- Call your bank's branch directly to confirm they have a notary available—do not assume based on the bank's name or website.
- Most banks notarize only for account holders and charge $5 to $15 per signature, though some waive the fee for customers.
- You will need a valid government-issued ID and the document to be notarized; the notary will watch you sign it.
- If your bank does not notarize, title companies, UPS stores, and law offices offer notary services, often at similar or lower cost.
- Notarization takes minutes once you are in front of the notary, but scheduling may take days depending on availability.
How to learn about your bank notarizes
Call the branch where you hold your account. Ask whether they have a notary on staff and whether they notarize for customers. Do not email or use the bank's general customer service line—branch staff know their own notary availability; the call center often does not.
If the branch has a notary, ask whether you need an appointment or can walk in. Some branches keep a notary at a desk during business hours; others have one person who notarizes between other duties, so you may need to schedule ahead. Ask the fee and whether it applies to you as a customer.
If your branch does not have a notary, ask whether another branch nearby does. Some banks maintain a notary at a main branch or downtown location but not at smaller suburban ones. If no branch in your area notarizes, the staff can usually point you toward a title company or other service.
What you need to bring and what happens during notarization
Bring the unsigned document and a valid government-issued ID—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The notary will not notarize a document you have already signed; they must watch you sign it in their presence. If the document has multiple signature lines, you sign all of them while the notary watches.
The notary will ask you to confirm your identity, verify that you are signing of your own free will, and sometimes ask what the document is for. They will then stamp and sign the document, adding their notary seal and the date. The whole process takes 5 to 10 minutes.
Some documents require a notary acknowledgment (the notary certifies they saw you sign) and others require a jurat (the notary certifies you swore or affirmed the contents are true). The bank's notary will know which type your document needs, or you can bring a copy of the document's instructions.
Bank notary fees and when they are waived
Most banks charge $5 to $15 per signature for notarization. Some waive the fee for account holders; others charge the same rate to everyone. A few banks charge more for non-customers—$20 to $25 per signature—to discourage walk-ins.
Ask the fee when you call. If the branch notarizes for free, confirm whether that applies to you. Some banks advertise free notarization but only for certain account types (premium checking, wealth management clients) or only for specific document types (mortgage-related documents, for example).
If the fee seems high, compare it to other options in your area. UPS stores typically charge $10 to $15 per signature; title companies charge $5 to $20 depending on the document; law offices may charge $25 or more but often include notarization as part of a larger service. For a single signature, the difference is small, but for a document with many signatures, it adds up.
When banks do not notarize certain documents
Banks will notarize most common documents: powers of attorney, affidavits, loan documents, real estate forms, and travel consent letters. Some documents they will not touch: wills (because of liability concerns), documents they have a financial interest in (like a mortgage they are originating), and documents that require specialized knowledge they do not have.
If a bank notary refuses your document, ask why. Sometimes it is a policy issue and another notary (at a law office or title company) can handle it. Sometimes the document itself has a problem—a missing signature line, unclear instructions, or a requirement the notary cannot meet—and you need to fix it before any notary will touch it.
Alternatives if your bank does not notarize
Title companies notarize as part of their business and usually have notaries available during business hours. Call ahead to confirm availability and ask the fee. Many title companies notarize for free or at a low cost because they expect you to use them for closing services later.
UPS stores (The UPS Store locations, not post offices) offer notary services at most locations. Fees are typically $10 to $15 per signature. You can often book an appointment online or call ahead to confirm a notary is available.
Law offices notarize as a routine service, though they may charge $25 or more per signature. If you are already working with a lawyer on the matter the document relates to, they may notarize for free as part of their service.
Some states license independent notaries who work from home offices or small storefronts. Search "[your city] notary public" to find them. Rates vary, but many charge less than banks or UPS stores.
Remote notarization and when it is an option
Some banks and notary services now offer remote notarization—you sign the document on a video call with a notary who watches you via webcam. This is faster than scheduling an in-person appointment and works if you cannot visit a branch.
Remote notarization is not available everywhere. It depends on your state's laws and the bank's or service's policies. Some states require the notary to be physically present in the same room; others allow video notarization. Ask your bank whether they offer it.
If your bank does not offer remote notarization, services like Notarize.com and Notary Rotary provide it for $25 to $50 per signature. The cost is higher than in-person notarization, but you avoid travel time and can schedule outside business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I notarize a document I already signed?
No. A notary must watch you sign the document in their presence. If you have already signed it, the notary cannot notarize it. You will need an unsigned copy of the document to bring to the notary.
Do I need an appointment to get a document notarized at my bank?
It depends on the branch. Some have a notary available during all business hours and can notarize while you wait. Others require an appointment because the notary is not always at a desk. Call your branch to ask.
What if I do not have a government-issued ID?
You cannot be notarized without one. A notary must verify your identity using a valid government ID—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. If you do not have one, you will need to obtain it before the notary can proceed.
Will my bank notarize a document for someone else if I bring it?
No. The person whose signature is being notarized must be present with their own ID. The notary must watch that person sign and confirm their identity. You cannot notarize a document on behalf of someone else.
How long does notarization take?
The actual notarization takes 5 to 10 minutes. Scheduling an appointment or waiting your turn may take longer. If you walk in without an appointment, you might wait 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the branch is.