Most banks do offer notary services, but availability depends on your bank, your account status, and whether you have an appointment

Many banks have at least one notary on staff, usually during business hours. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and most regional banks include notary services for account holders at no charge. However, the service is not may provide at every branch, and some banks limit it to customers with certain account types or require you to call ahead.

The catch is that banks are not required to offer notary services, and policies vary widely. Some branches have a notary available every day; others have one person who works certain hours or days. A few banks have stopped offering the service altogether. The only way to know what your bank actually does is to call the specific branch where you plan to go.

If your bank does not offer notary services, or if you do not have an account there, you have other options: credit unions, law offices, title companies, UPS stores, and some public libraries. Many of these charge a fee per signature, usually between $5 and $15.

Key Takeaways

  • Most major banks offer notary services free to account holders, but you must call your specific branch to confirm they have a notary available on the day you need one.
  • Banks typically notarize documents during regular business hours and may require an appointment, especially if the notary works part-time at that location.
  • Non-customers can sometimes use a bank's notary service for a fee, but policies differ by bank and branch.
  • If your bank cannot help, credit unions, UPS stores, and some libraries offer notary services, usually for $5 to $15 per signature.
  • You must bring a valid photo ID and the document that needs notarizing; the notary will not notarize blank documents or ones you have already signed.

How to learn about your bank has a notary

Call the branch directly and ask whether they have a notary available. Do not rely on the bank's website or the main customer service line—branch staff know their own situation better. Ask three things: whether they have a notary, what days and hours the notary works, and whether you need an appointment.

If the person who answers does not know, ask to speak with a manager or the branch operations person. Some branches have a notary who works only on certain days, and you need to know that before you show up. If the branch says they do not have a notary, ask whether another nearby branch does.

What to bring and what happens during the notarization

Bring a valid photo ID—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The notary will check your identity against the document you are signing. Bring the actual document that needs notarizing, not a copy. If you have already signed it, the notary cannot notarize it; the notary must watch you sign.

The notary will ask you to sign the document in front of them, then they will add their seal and signature. The whole process usually takes five to ten minutes. Some banks ask you to sign a notary log as well, which is a record the notary keeps. You will get the original document back with the notary's seal on it.

The notary cannot give you legal information about what document you need or whether you are signing the right thing. They can only confirm that you are who you say you are and that you signed the document willingly.

Fees and whether non-customers can use the service

Most banks do not charge account holders for notary services. If you do not have an account at the bank, some branches will notarize for you anyway, but many charge a fee—usually $5 to $10 per signature. A few banks refuse to notarize for non-customers entirely.

Call ahead if you are not an account holder. Explain that you need a notary and ask whether they will do it and what the cost is. If the bank says no, you have other options that do not require an account.

When a bank cannot help: credit unions, UPS, and libraries

Credit unions often have notaries on staff and may notarize for members free or for a small fee. Call your credit union's main branch to ask. UPS stores (the ones that also do mailbox rental and shipping) have notaries at most locations and charge around $5 to $15 per signature. You do not need to be a customer.

Some public libraries offer notary services free or for a small fee. This varies by library system, so call your local branch to ask. Law offices and title companies also notarize documents, usually for $10 to $25 per signature, but they may prioritize their own clients.

If you need notarization on a weekend or evening, UPS stores are often your best bet because many are open later than banks. Check the hours of the location nearest you before you go.

What notaries cannot do

A notary cannot notarize a document you have already signed. They cannot notarize a blank document. They cannot tell you whether the document is correct or whether you should sign it. They cannot notarize a document if you do not have a valid photo ID. They cannot notarize a document if you appear to be under duress or unable to understand what you are signing.

If you need legal information about a document—whether it is the right form, whether you should sign it, what it means—you need a lawyer, not a notary. A notary's job is only to verify your identity and confirm that you signed the document in front of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a document notarized if I do not have a driver's license?

You need a valid photo ID. A passport, state ID card, or military ID will work. If you do not have any of these, you cannot get a document notarized at a bank or most other places. You would need to get a photo ID first.

What if I need a notary on a weekend or after 5 p.m.?

Banks are closed on weekends and evenings. UPS stores are often open later and on weekends, and many have notaries on staff. Call ahead to confirm the location near you has a notary available. Some mobile notaries also work evenings and weekends, though they charge more.

Can a notary notarize a document I signed weeks ago?

No. The notary must watch you sign the document. If you have already signed it, the notary cannot notarize it. You will need to get a blank copy and sign it in front of the notary.

How long does a notarization take?

Usually five to ten minutes. The notary checks your ID, watches you sign, adds their seal and signature, and you are done. If the branch is busy, you might wait longer, which is why calling ahead or making an appointment helps.

Do I need an appointment at a bank for notary services?

Some banks require appointments, especially if the notary works part-time. Others take walk-ins during business hours. Call your branch to ask. Making an appointment is safer because it guarantees the notary will be there when you arrive.