Most banks offer notary services, but not all branches do and not all hours
Many banks do have notaries available to customers, but the service is not may provide at every location or every time you walk in. Large national banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, and Citibank typically employ notaries at their main branches, though smaller branches may not. Credit unions vary widely — some have notaries, others do not. The only way to know whether your specific branch has one is to call ahead and ask.
Even when a bank has a notary on staff, the person may be busy with other duties and unable to see you without an appointment. Some banks charge a small fee for notary services to non-customers, while others offer it free to account holders. Hours are often limited to regular business hours, which means you cannot get a document notarized on evenings or weekends at most branches.
Key Takeaways
- Call your bank's branch directly to confirm whether a notary is available there, since the service is not standard across all locations.
- Banks often require an appointment for notary services, so do not assume you can walk in and have a document notarized the same day.
- Account holders may receive free notary services, while non-customers often pay a fee ranging from a few dollars to around twenty dollars.
- If your bank does not have a notary, other common sources include title companies, real estate offices, UPS stores, and some pharmacies.
How to learn about your bank has a notary
Start by calling the branch where you have your account. Ask specifically whether a notary is available and whether you need to make an appointment. Do not rely on the bank's website, because branch-level services are often not listed accurately online.
If you are looking for a notary at a branch you do not bank with, call the main number and ask the same question. Be prepared to hear that they only notarize for customers, or that the notary is booked for several days. Some banks will refer you to another branch in the area that has more availability.
What to bring when you visit a bank notary
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The notary must see your ID to verify your identity before notarizing any document. Bring the original document that needs to be notarized, not a copy. The notary will not notarize a photocopy.
If the document requires a signature, sign it in front of the notary. Do not sign it beforehand. The notary needs to watch you sign to confirm that you are the person who actually signed it. Bring any other documents the notary asks for — for example, if you are notarizing a power of attorney, you may need to bring proof of your relationship to the person granting the power.
Fees and whether you pay as a customer
Most banks charge no fee to notarize documents for their own customers. If you are not a customer, expect to pay between five and twenty dollars, depending on the bank and the number of signatures that need to notarizing. Some banks have a flat fee per document; others charge per signature.
Ask about the fee when you call to confirm the notary is available. Some banks will quote the fee over the phone; others will only tell you when you arrive. If cost is a concern, compare prices by calling a few banks and other notary sources in your area before you go.
When a bank notary cannot help you
Banks will not notarize certain documents. Most will refuse to notarize a document if the person signing it is not present in person. They will not notarize a document that is already signed, because the notary must witness the signature. They will not notarize a document if they believe it is fraudulent or if the signer appears to be under duress.
Some banks have policies against notarizing certain types of documents, such as powers of attorney or loan documents, because of liability concerns. If your bank refuses, ask why — it may be a blanket policy, or it may be specific to your document. Then move on to another source.
Other places to find a notary if your bank does not have one
UPS stores, FedEx Office locations, and Staples often have notaries on staff. Call ahead to confirm availability and ask about fees, which are usually similar to bank fees. Title companies and real estate offices almost always have notaries because they use them constantly for closing documents. Some pharmacies, particularly in large chains, employ notaries.
Online notary services exist in many states, though they work differently — you sign documents electronically in front of a notary via video call. These services are faster if you need something notarized outside business hours, but they are not available in every state and some documents cannot be notarized this way. Check your state's notary board website to see whether remote notarization is allowed for your type of document.
What happens after a bank notary notarizes your document
The notary will stamp or emboss the document with their official seal and sign it. They will also record the notarization in their journal — a log that documents when the notarization happened, who signed, and what document was notarized. You keep the original notarized document. The journal stays with the notary and is not given to you.
The notarized document is now ready to submit wherever it is needed — to a court, a government agency, a title company, or another party. The notary's seal and signature prove that the document was signed in front of a may have access to notary on a specific date. That proof is what makes the document acceptable in legal and financial transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a document notarized if I am not a customer of the bank?
Yes, but you will likely pay a fee and the bank may require an appointment. Some banks only notarize for customers, so call first. If they refuse, try a UPS store, title company, or pharmacy instead.
What if I need a document notarized outside of business hours?
Banks do not offer evening or weekend notary services. Look for an online notary service in your state, or plan to visit a notary during the next business day. Some UPS stores have extended hours and may have a notary available.
Can the notary refuse to notarize my document?
Yes. A notary can refuse if the signer is not present, if the document is already signed, if the signer appears to be under duress, or if the notary believes the document is fraudulent. Banks may also refuse certain document types due to internal policy.
Do I need to make an appointment, or can I just walk in?
Call ahead. Many banks require an appointment for notary services, and even those that do not may have a long wait if the notary is busy. An appointment ensures the notary will be available when you arrive.
What if the notary makes a mistake on my document?
Ask the notary to correct it before you leave. If a mistake is discovered later, you will need to have the document notarized again. Keep the original and bring it back to the notary or find a different notary to redo the work.