Most banks notarize for free if you have an account with them
Many banks offer notary services to their customers at no charge. The specifics depend on which bank you use and whether you hold an account there. Some banks notarize only for account holders; others notarize for anyone who walks in. A few charge a small fee even for customers. You will need to call your branch directly to find out their policy, because banks do not publish this information consistently online.
The notary at a bank is usually a teller or branch employee who has been trained and licensed as a notary public by their state. They are not lawyers and cannot give legal advice about what you are signing. Their job is to verify your identity, confirm that you are signing the document willingly, and stamp it with an official seal and their signature. That is all a notarization does.
Not every branch location has a notary on staff, especially in smaller towns. If you bank at a large national chain like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, or Chase, your local branch probably has one. If you bank at a smaller regional or local bank, call ahead before you go in.
Key Takeaways
- Call your bank branch first to confirm they have a notary available and whether they charge a fee for non-customers.
- Bring a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) because the notary must verify your identity in person.
- Arrive during business hours with the unsigned document; the notary will watch you sign it and then apply their seal and signature.
- If your bank does not have a notary, check with your county clerk's office, a title company, or a UPS Store, which often offers notary services for a fee.
- Some documents like powers of attorney or real estate deeds may require a notary, while others do not; check with whoever is asking you to sign.
What to bring when you go to the bank
You need two things: a valid government-issued photo ID and the unsigned document. The notary will not notarize a document you have already signed. If you signed it before the notary saw you do it, you will have to get a new copy and start over.
Your ID must be current and show your photograph. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card all work. An expired ID may or may not be accepted depending on your state's rules and the notary's judgment; call ahead if your ID is expired. A credit card, library card, or employee badge will not work.
Bring the original document, not a photocopy. Some notaries will notarize a copy if the original is not available, but most will not. If you are unsure, ask when you call the bank.
How long the notarization takes
The actual notarization usually takes five to ten minutes. The notary will ask you to confirm your name, check your ID, watch you sign the document, and then apply their seal and signature. If the bank is busy, you might wait longer to see the notary.
You do not need an appointment at most banks, but calling ahead to confirm a notary is available can save you a trip. Some branches have only one notary, and they may be away from their desk when you arrive.
When banks will not notarize
Banks have limits on what they will notarize. Most will not notarize a document if the notary has a personal interest in it—for example, if the notary is a witness to the document or stands to gain money from it. This is a conflict of interest and violates notary law in most states.
Some banks will not notarize certain types of documents, such as powers of attorney or real estate deeds, because of liability concerns. They may refer you to a lawyer or a title company instead. A few banks will not notarize documents related to immigration or court proceedings.
If your bank declines, ask why. If it is a conflict of interest, you will need to find a different notary. If it is a policy choice, you can try another bank or a county clerk's office.
Alternatives if your bank cannot help
Your county clerk's office almost always has notaries available, usually for a small fee (often $1 to $5 per signature). Hours are typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. You can find the address and phone number by searching "[your county] clerk notary" online.
UPS Store locations in many areas offer notary services for a fee, usually $10 to $15 per signature. Hours vary by location, and some locations do not have a notary on staff, so call ahead. Title companies, which handle real estate transactions, often notarize for free if the document is related to a property deal they are handling.
Some states offer online notarization through licensed remote notaries. You will need a computer with a camera and internet connection, and the notary will verify your identity through video. This works for many documents but not all; some states and some document types still require an in-person notary.
What happens after the notary seals your document
Once the notary has signed and sealed your document, it is notarized. You can use it for whatever purpose you need—submitting it to a court, a government agency, a bank, or a business. The notary's seal and signature prove that a licensed notary verified your identity and watched you sign.
Keep the original notarized document safe. Do not lose it or write on it. If you need copies later, you can photocopy it, but the photocopies will not have the same legal weight as the original. Some organizations will accept a certified copy from the county clerk's office instead; ask if you need one.
The notary keeps a record of the notarization in a journal, as required by state law. If you ever need proof that the notarization happened, you can contact the notary or the bank and ask for a copy of the journal entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a customer of the bank to get a notary there?
Most banks notarize for free only if you have an account with them. Some will notarize for non-customers but may charge a fee of $5 to $15. Call your bank and ask their specific policy before you go in.
What if I do not have a photo ID?
A notary cannot notarize without verifying your identity with a current government-issued photo ID. If you do not have one, you will need to get a state ID card from your DMV or passport from your state department. This can take weeks, so plan ahead if you need a notarization soon.
Can a notary notarize a document I signed before I came in?
No. A notary must watch you sign the document. If you have already signed it, the notarization is not valid. You will need a new unsigned copy of the document and will have to sign it again in front of the notary.
How much does a bank notarization cost?
Most banks notarize for free if you are a customer. Non-customers may pay $5 to $15 per signature, or the bank may decline to notarize at all. County clerk offices usually charge $1 to $5, and UPS Store locations typically charge $10 to $15. Call ahead to confirm the fee.
What if the bank says they cannot notarize my document?
Ask why. If it is a conflict of interest, you need a different notary. If it is a policy choice, try your county clerk's office, a UPS Store, or a title company. If the document is related to immigration or court proceedings, you may need a notary with specific training in that area.