Most banks will notarize documents for their customers, but not all, and the rules vary widely by branch and institution

Whether your bank notarizes depends on three things: whether your bank offers the service at all, whether your specific branch has a notary on staff, and whether the document falls within what they will notarize. Some large national banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase offer notary services at many locations. Regional and smaller banks may not offer it at any branch. Credit unions vary — some have notaries, others do not. The only way to know is to call your branch directly and ask.

Banks that do notarize typically do so free or for a small fee if you hold an account with them. Non-customers usually pay a fee, often $5 to $15 per signature. Some banks notarize only certain document types — they may refuse wills, powers of attorney, or documents related to real estate transactions because of liability concerns. Others will notarize almost anything that does not involve their own accounts or loans.

The notary at your bank is a bank employee who has obtained a notary public commission from your state. They are not a lawyer and cannot give legal information about whether a document is correct or appropriate. Their job is only to verify your identity and confirm that you signed the document in front of them.

Key Takeaways

  • Call your branch first — not all banks notarize, and not all branches of banks that do notarize have a notary on staff.
  • Banks that notarize usually do so free for account holders and charge $5 to $15 for non-customers per signature.
  • A bank notary verifies your identity and witnesses your signature but cannot advise you on whether a document is legally correct.
  • Some banks refuse to notarize wills, powers of attorney, or real estate documents due to liability concerns.
  • If your bank does not notarize or has no notary available, you can find a notary through your state's notary directory or at UPS stores and FedEx locations.

How to learn about your bank notarizes

Call the branch where you hold your account and ask directly: "Do you have a notary public on staff?" Do not ask whether the bank offers notary services — ask whether that branch has one. A large bank may notarize at some locations and not others. If the person who answers does not know, ask to speak to a manager or the person who handles notary requests.

If your branch does not have a notary, ask whether another nearby branch does. Some banks will allow you to use a notary at a different location if you are a customer. If no branch near you notarizes, you will need to look elsewhere.

Have your document ready when you call, or at least know what type it is. The person answering may ask whether they notarize that particular kind of document. Be prepared to say whether it is a power of attorney, affidavit, loan document, real estate deed, or something else.

What documents banks typically will and will not notarize

Banks most commonly notarize affidavits, powers of attorney, loan documents, and general statements. They will usually notarize documents related to their own accounts or loans — for instance, a signature on a mortgage process or a document authorizing someone to act on your account.

Many banks refuse to notarize wills, codicils (amendments to wills), or documents that transfer real estate. These refusals are usually based on liability — if something goes wrong with the document later, the bank does not want to be involved in a dispute. Some banks also refuse to notarize documents for non-customers, or documents that appear to involve legal disputes.

A few banks will notarize almost anything that does not involve their own accounts. The policy depends entirely on the bank's legal department and risk tolerance. If your bank refuses a document, that refusal does not mean the document is invalid — it means that particular bank will not notarize it. You can take it elsewhere.

What to bring and what happens during notarization

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The notary will check your ID to confirm you are who you say you are. Bring the unsigned document. You must sign it in front of the notary; they cannot notarize a document you signed before you arrived.

The notary will watch you sign, then sign and stamp the document themselves. They will add their notary seal (usually a stamp or embosser), their signature, the date, and sometimes their notary number. The whole process takes a few minutes. Some notaries will ask you to state that you understand what you are signing and that you are signing of your own free will, but they will not read the document or advise you on its contents.

If the document has multiple pages, ask the notary whether they need to notarize every page or just the signature page. Some documents require notarization on each page; others require it only where you sign. The notary will tell you what is needed.

Fees and whether you need an account

If you have an account at the bank, notarization is usually free. Some banks charge account holders a small fee anyway — typically $1 to $5 per signature. Non-customers usually pay $5 to $15 per signature, though some banks charge more. A few banks do not notarize for non-customers at all.

Ask about the fee when you call. If you are a non-customer, the fee may be worth paying if the bank is convenient. If the fee seems high or the bank refuses to notarize, you have other options that may be cheaper or faster.

Alternatives if your bank does not notarize

If your bank does not have a notary or will not notarize your document, you can find a notary through your state's notary directory. Most states maintain a list of commissioned notaries on their Secretary of State website. Search for your state and "notary directory" to find it.

UPS stores and FedEx Office locations have notaries on staff at most locations. The fee is usually $10 to $15 per signature. Call ahead to confirm the location has a notary and to ask about their hours, because not every location is staffed the same way.

Some law offices will notarize documents for a fee, even if you are not a client. Title companies and real estate offices often have notaries. If your document is related to a loan or real estate transaction, the lender or title company may notarize it for free as part of the closing process.

What notarization does and does not do

Notarization does not make a document legal or binding. It does not verify that the contents are true or that you understand what you are signing. It is only a certification that a notary public watched you sign the document and confirmed your identity. It proves that you signed it willingly and in person.

Some documents require notarization by law — powers of attorney, certain real estate deeds, and some loan documents. For those documents, notarization is a legal requirement. For other documents, notarization is optional but may be requested by the other party to reduce the chance of a dispute later.

If a document requires notarization and you sign it without a notary, it may not be accepted by the person or institution requesting it. If notarization is optional and you skip it, the document is still valid — it just carries less weight if someone later claims you did not sign it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a bank notarize a document if I am not a customer?

Most banks will notarize for non-customers, but they charge a fee — usually $5 to $15 per signature. Some banks refuse to notarize for non-customers entirely. Call your bank to ask. If they refuse, a UPS store, FedEx Office, or independent notary can do it instead.

Do I have to use my own bank's notary?

No. Any notary public can notarize your document. You do not have to use your bank's notary. If your bank does not have one, does not notarize that type of document, or charges too much, you can use a notary anywhere else.

What if I need a document notarized but the notary is not available?

Call other branches of your bank, or look for a notary at a UPS store, FedEx Office, or through your state's notary directory. Many notaries have evening and weekend hours. If you need it done urgently, call ahead to confirm the notary is available before you go.

Can a notary refuse to notarize my document?

Yes. A notary can refuse if they believe the document is fraudulent, if you cannot prove your identity, if you appear to be signing under duress, or if the document is illegal. A bank notary can also refuse based on the bank's policy about what types of documents they will notarize.

Does notarization cost money if I am a bank customer?

Usually it is free for account holders, but some banks charge a small fee — $1 to $5 per signature. Ask when you call. If your bank charges and you want to avoid the fee, you can use a free notary elsewhere, though this may be less convenient.