Many banks notarize documents for customers, but not all, and the rules vary widely by branch and by bank

Some banks offer notarization as a free service to account holders, some charge a small fee, and some do not notarize at all. The only way to know what your bank does is to call the branch where you have your account or visit in person. Even within the same bank, one branch may notarize while another does not — it depends on whether a notary public works there and whether the bank's policy allows it.

If your bank does notarize, you will usually need to bring your document, a valid photo ID, and proof that you are an account holder. The notary will watch you sign the document, verify your identity, and add their seal and signature. The whole process takes a few minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Call your bank's branch directly to ask whether they notarize and whether there is a fee — policies differ by bank and sometimes by location.
  • You will need a valid photo ID and usually proof of your account to have a document notarized at a bank.
  • The notary must watch you sign the document in person; they cannot notarize a document you signed before arriving.
  • If your bank does not notarize or you do not have an account there, notaries work at UPS stores, law offices, and title companies, usually for a small fee.
  • Some documents — like powers of attorney and real estate deeds — may have special notarization rules that vary by state.

Why banks notarize and what it costs

A notary public is a person authorized by the state to witness signatures and verify identity. When a notary watches you sign something and stamps it with their seal, they are confirming that you signed it willingly and that the ID you showed matches your name. Many documents — loan papers, powers of attorney, affidavits — require a notary's signature to be legally valid.

Banks keep notaries on staff because customers often need documents notarized as part of banking or lending transactions. Some banks notarize for free if you are an account holder. Others charge between $5 and $15 per document. A few banks do not notarize at all, either because they have no notary on staff or because their policy restricts it to certain types of documents.

The fee, if there is one, usually covers one signature. If your document has multiple pages or multiple places where you need to sign, the bank may charge per signature rather than per document.

What you need to bring to get a document notarized

Bring your document, a valid photo ID, and your account information or debit card. The notary will ask you to sign the document in front of them — they cannot notarize something you signed before you arrived. They will check your ID to make sure the name on the ID matches the name on the document, then add their seal, signature, and the date.

Some documents ask for specific information from the notary, like their commission number or the date their notary commission expires. The notary will fill this in. You do not need to do anything except sign and show your ID.

If you are signing on behalf of someone else or in a representative capacity, tell the notary before you sign. Some states have rules about what kinds of representative signatures a notary can witness, and the notary will know whether your situation is allowed.

When banks will not notarize a document

Banks may refuse to notarize if you are not an account holder, if the document is outside their policy (for example, some banks will not notarize real estate documents), or if the notary has a conflict of interest. A notary cannot notarize a document if they are a party to it — for example, a notary cannot notarize a contract they are signing themselves.

Some documents have special rules. Powers of attorney, real estate deeds, and documents related to court cases sometimes require notarization by a notary who is not connected to the parties involved, or they may require a certified copy — a notarized photocopy made by the notary themselves. Banks often do not make certified copies, so you may need to go to a different notary for those.

If your bank refuses, ask why. If it is a policy issue, you can try another bank branch or a different bank. If it is a legal requirement specific to your document, a notary at a UPS store, law office, or title company can usually help.

Other places to get documents notarized

If your bank does not notarize or you do not have a bank account, notaries work at UPS stores (often called UPS Customer Centers), FedEx Office locations, law offices, title companies, and some public libraries. Fees range from $5 to $25 per signature depending on the location and the document type. Some libraries notarize for free or a very small fee, but availability varies by location.

You can search for notaries near you by typing "notary public near me" into a search engine, or by calling your county clerk's office — they often keep a list of notaries in your area. When you call, ask about their hours, whether you need an appointment, what ID they accept, and what they charge.

Online notarization is also available in many states. A notary will watch you sign via video call and send you a notarized document by email. This works well for documents that do not require a certified copy or special handling. Prices are usually $25 to $50 per signature.

What happens after a document is notarized

Once the notary has signed and sealed your document, it is notarized. You keep the original. The notary does not file it anywhere or send it to anyone — that is your responsibility. If the document needs to go to a court, a government office, or another organization, you send it yourself.

The notary's seal and signature prove that a notary witnessed your signature and checked your ID on that date. Most organizations that ask for notarization will accept the document as long as the notary's seal is clear and the signature is legible. If the seal is smudged or hard to read, some organizations may ask for a new notarization.

Keep the original notarized document in a safe place. If you lose it, you will need to have the document notarized again — the notary cannot issue a duplicate of their seal.

State rules that affect where you can get notarized

Notarization rules vary by state. Some states allow notaries to notarize remotely (by video), while others do not. Some states require the notary to be a resident of that state; others do not. A few states have special rules for certain documents — for example, some states require that real estate documents be notarized by a notary who is not a bank employee.

If you are having a document notarized for use in a different state, ask the notary whether your state's rules will be accepted in the other state. Most states recognize notarizations from other states, but it is worth checking if your document is for something important like a real estate transaction or a court case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a notary notarize a document I signed before I came in?

No. A notary must watch you sign the document. If you signed it before arriving, the notary cannot notarize it. You will need to sign it again in front of the notary, or the notary can notarize a blank signature line if the document allows it.

Do I need an appointment to get something notarized at a bank?

It depends on the bank. Some branches notarize walk-ins; others ask you to call ahead. Call your branch and ask. If you go without an appointment, you may wait, especially during busy times.

What if I do not have a photo ID?

You will need a valid photo ID to be notarized. If you do not have one, you can get a state ID card from your DMV or equivalent office. Some notaries accept other forms of ID like a passport or a work badge, but a state ID is the most widely accepted.

Can I notarize a document for someone else?

No. The person whose signature is being notarized must be present with a valid photo ID. You cannot sign on someone else's behalf unless you have a power of attorney, and even then, the notary will need to see the power of attorney and the original person's ID.

How long does a notarized document last?

A notarized document does not expire. The notary's seal and signature prove that the notarization happened on that date, but the document itself remains valid unless the law says otherwise. Some organizations may ask for a recent notarization if the document is very old, but that is their choice, not a legal requirement.