Many banks do offer notary services, but not all of them, and availability varies by branch

If you have a bank account, your bank may have a notary public on staff or available by appointment. The largest national banks — Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, and Citibank — typically offer notary services to their customers at no charge or for a small fee. However, smaller regional banks and credit unions may not have a notary available, and some branches of larger banks do not either.

The only way to know whether your specific branch has a notary is to call and ask. Do not assume based on bank size or location. A branch two miles away might have one; yours might not. When you call, ask whether the notary is available by appointment, whether there is a fee, and whether you need to be a customer of that bank to use the service.

If your bank does not have a notary, you have other options: title companies, law offices, UPS stores, FedEx locations, and some public libraries all offer notary services. Some charge per signature; others charge a flat fee. Prices range widely depending on location and the complexity of the document.

Key Takeaways

  • Large national banks often have notaries available to customers at no cost, but you must call your specific branch to confirm.
  • Smaller banks and credit unions may not have notaries on staff, so do not assume your bank offers the service.
  • When you call, ask about appointment availability, any fees, and whether you must be a customer to use the service.
  • If your bank has no notary, UPS stores, FedEx locations, title companies, and some libraries offer notary services for a fee.

What to expect when you visit a bank notary

When you arrive with a document that needs notarizing, the notary will ask to see a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. They will verify that you are the person signing the document and that you understand what you are signing. They will then watch you sign the document in front of them.

The notary will add their seal and signature to the document, along with the date and their notary commission number. This process usually takes five to ten minutes per document. If you have multiple documents, each one takes about the same amount of time.

Bring the unsigned document with you. Do not sign it before you arrive — the notary must watch you sign. If you have already signed it, the notary cannot notarize it, and you will need a new copy.

When banks charge a fee and when they do not

Most large banks do not charge customers a fee for notary services. However, some banks charge $5 to $15 per signature, and a few charge only non-customers or charge customers a fee if they use the service more than once per year. Call ahead to ask about the fee structure at your branch.

If your bank does charge and the fee seems high, compare it to other options in your area. A UPS store or FedEx location might charge $2 to $5 per signature, while a title company might charge $10 to $25 depending on the document type. The cheapest option is not always the most convenient one — if your bank is open when you are free and others are not, the bank's fee might be worth it.

How to learn about your bank has a notary

Call the branch where you have your account and ask to speak with someone who can answer questions about notary services. You can also visit in person and ask at the customer service desk. Have the branch address and phone number ready — you can find both on your bank's website or on your debit card.

When you call, be specific: "Does your branch have a notary public available?" rather than "Do you offer notary services?" Some branches may say they can refer you to a notary without having one on site, which is not the same as having one available.

If the person who answers is unsure, ask to speak with a manager or call back during business hours when more staff are present. Do not rely on the website — bank websites often list services that are not available at every location.

Alternatives if your bank does not have a notary

UPS stores and FedEx locations have notaries at many locations, though not all. Call ahead to confirm that the specific location near you has one and ask about hours and fees. Both typically charge $2 to $5 per signature and can usually see you the same day or next day.

Title companies, which handle real estate transactions, almost always have notaries on staff. If you are notarizing a document related to a home purchase or sale, the title company handling your transaction will notarize documents as part of the closing process. If you need a notary for something unrelated to real estate, you can still call a title company and ask whether they will notarize a document for a fee — many will.

Some public libraries offer notary services to patrons, though availability varies by library system. Call your local library to ask. Law offices almost always have notaries, and many will notarize a document for a small fee even if you are not a client.

What documents banks will and will not notarize

Banks will notarize most common documents: powers of attorney, affidavits, loan documents, and permission letters. However, notaries cannot notarize a document if they have a financial interest in it — for example, a bank notary cannot notarize a loan document if the bank is the lender.

Notaries also cannot notarize a document if the person signing it is not present in front of them. Remote notarization — signing a document over video — is now legal in many states, but it requires a notary licensed to perform remote notarization, which most bank notaries are not.

If you are unsure whether a bank notary can notarize your specific document, describe it when you call. The notary or the person answering the phone can tell you whether it is something they can handle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a customer of the bank to use their notary?

Most banks limit notary services to their own customers, but some will notarize documents for non-customers for a higher fee. Call your bank and ask. If they do not serve non-customers, a UPS store or title company will.

Can a notary refuse to notarize a document?

Yes. A notary can refuse if they do not believe the person signing understands what they are signing, if the document appears fraudulent, if the signer cannot provide proper ID, or if the notary has a financial interest in the document. This is rare, but it happens.

How long does a notarization take?

The notarization itself takes five to ten minutes. However, if you need an appointment and the notary is busy, you may wait longer. Call ahead and ask about wait times or book an appointment if the bank offers one.

What if I need a notary outside of business hours?

Banks are closed evenings and weekends, so you will need to use a different service. Some UPS stores and FedEx locations are open late or on weekends. Search online for "notary near me" and filter by hours to find options that match your schedule.

Can I notarize a document I already signed?

No. The notary must watch you sign the document. If you have already signed it, you need a new unsigned copy. The notary cannot add their seal to a document you signed without them present.