Where to Get Something Notarized (Free and Low-Cost Options)

By the Public-Libraries.com Editorial Team · Updated October 1, 2026

Where to get a document notarized

A notary public is a state-appointed, impartial witness who confirms your identity and watches you sign a document, helping to deter fraud. According to the National Notary Association, a notary verifies who you are, checks that you’re signing willingly, and — for some documents — administers an oath. What a notary cannot do is give legal advice or tell you which document you need; only a licensed attorney can do that.

You have more options than most people realize, and several are free. Here’s how the common choices compare:

Free options: libraries and banks

Public libraries. Many U.S. public libraries now offer notary service free to the community, usually by appointment. It’s a service that has grown as other options have shrunk: the Columbus Metropolitan Library, for example, expanded free notary to 20 of its 23 branches and served more than 500 customers in 2024, and the New York Public Library launched a free notary pilot the same year. Libraries typically handle everyday documents but exclude things like wills, trusts, powers of attorney and real-estate closings — and a notary is not always on duty, so book ahead. You can find out whether a library near you offers it on our state-by-state list of libraries with notary services.

Your bank or credit union. If you have a checking or savings account, your bank will often notarize for free. Bank of America, for instance, states plainly that it does not charge a fee for notary services for its customers; Chase and Wells Fargo likewise offer free notarization to account holders at many branches. Two caveats: the service is generally for customers only, and — as banks have trimmed in-branch staff — not every branch keeps a notary on duty. Call the specific branch first.

Paid options: UPS Store, AAA, county clerk and mobile notaries

The UPS Store. Most locations offer notary service, usually without an appointment. Pricing is set by each store but capped by state law per signature (see the fee table below), so in practice you’ll pay anywhere from about $2 in New York to $15 in California. It’s a reliable fallback when a free option isn’t available and you want to walk in.

AAA. Auto-club members can get documents notarized at many AAA branches. Premier members typically pay nothing; other tiers pay a small per-signature fee. It’s members-only, by appointment, and not offered in every state (Louisiana is an exception), so confirm with your local club.

County clerk’s office. Many county clerks notarize for the public for just a few dollars — handy if you’re already there to file something. Availability and fees vary widely by county, so check your county clerk’s website.

Mobile notary. A mobile notary travels to your home, office or hospital room. You pay the state-capped signature fee plus a travel fee (travel fees are usually unregulated), so a typical local visit runs about $50–$100. It’s the go-to when the signer can’t leave home or needs several documents handled at once.

Getting notarized online, from home

Remote online notarization (RON) lets you connect with a commissioned notary over a secure live video call and sign electronically — no appointment or travel. It usually costs about $25 per notarization. As of 2025, the large majority of states have permanent RON laws on the books, and because of interstate recognition, residents of every state can generally use a RON service and have the result accepted. It’s the fastest option when you need something notarized tonight, though a few document types (and some counties’ recording rules) still prefer in-person notarization — check your document’s requirements first.

Does the post office (USPS) notarize documents?

No. This is one of the most common notary myths. The U.S. Postal Service does not provide notary services. Notary commissions are issued by individual states, and post-office clerks are not state-commissioned notaries as part of their federal job. If you need a notary, use a library, bank, UPS Store, AAA, county clerk or an online service instead. (A privately run postal/shipping annex is not a USPS post office — if one happens to have a notary, that’s the owner’s own service, not the Postal Service’s.)

How much does a notary cost?

For a standard in-person notarization, the fee is small and capped by state law per signature. A notary can charge less than the cap — and libraries and your own bank often charge nothing — but they can’t charge more. A few examples of state maximums:

Most states fall in the $2–$10 range; your Secretary of State’s notary page lists the current cap. Online (RON) and mobile notaries are priced differently — RON around $25 per act, and a mobile notary adds a travel fee on top of the per-signature cap.

What to bring

• The unsigned document — every page, fully filled in, with no blanks. Do not sign it beforehand; the notary must watch you sign.
• A valid, government-issued photo ID — a driver’s license, state ID, U.S. passport or military ID. A Social Security card, birth certificate or library card won’t work on their own, and the name on your ID should match the document.
• Everyone who must sign — each person whose signature is being notarized has to be present with their own ID; a notary can’t notarize for someone who isn’t there.
• Any required witnesses — some documents need independent witnesses in addition to the notary, so ask in advance.
• Proof of eligibility for “free” services — a library card or your bank account/debit card where that’s required.

Frequently Asked Questions