Megan Brooks
Many banks in the US offer free notary services to their customers, including major banks like JPMorgan Chase & Co., Bank of America Corp., and Wells Fargo & Co. However, not all banks provide this service for free, and some may charge a small fee. It is also important to note that not all bank branches have notaries available at all times, and some documents may be off-limits for notarization. Therefore, it is recommended to call ahead and confirm the availability of notary services and whether your specific document can be notarized.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Banks that offer free notary services | Bank of America, Capital One, Chase Bank, Citizens Bank |
| Banks that offer paid notary services | Citibank |
| Banks that may offer paid notary services | Wells Fargo & Co. |
| Other institutions that offer free notary services | Credit unions, thrifts, real estate firms, tax preparation firms, insurance company offices, law offices, local clerk of court offices, public libraries, pharmacies, doctors' offices |
| Institutions that offer paid notary services | UPS stores, AAA offices |
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What You'll Learn
Banks that offer free notary services
Banks often offer free notary services to their customers, but this is not always the case. While nearly all U.S. banks have notaries, including major banks like JPMorgan Chase & Co., Bank of America, and Wells Fargo & Co., the availability of these services can vary from branch to branch and state to state. Some banks may also charge a small fee for notary services, especially if you are not a customer.
It is recommended that you call ahead to your local bank branch to confirm the availability of notary services and schedule an appointment if necessary. Bank of America, for example, provides free notary services to its customers, but only at specific financial centers, and customers must contact their local center beforehand to confirm the availability of the service. Similarly, Capital One offers free notary services at its full-service locations, but availability varies across branches, so customers are advised to make an appointment.
Citibank also provides notary services, but it is unclear if these are free, and not all branches offer this service. Chase Bank offers free notary services to its clients, and non-customers can inquire about fees and requirements at their local branches. Citizens Bank is another example of a bank that offers free notary services to its customers.
In addition to banks, other financial services firms, such as credit unions, thrifts, real estate firms, tax preparation firms, and insurance company offices, often provide free notary services to their clients. Law offices, local clerk of court offices, public libraries, pharmacies, and doctors' offices are also potential sources of free notary services.
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Documents that require notarization
Banks are not required to offer notary services, but most do have notaries available in at least one of their branches. While almost any document can be notarized, some of the most common documents that require notarization include:
- Wills
- Sworn statements
- Powers of attorney
- Deeds of trust
- Rental agreements
- Copy certifications
- Beneficiary designations
- Promissory notes
- Bills of sale
- Affidavits
- Depositions
- Evidentiary documents
- Letters used in loan transactions
The notarization process is typically simple. You present a document to a notary public, verify your identity, and sign the document in their presence. After that, the notary officially notarizes the document using an official stamp, writes the date, and adds their own signature. The notary will also confirm that you understand the meaning of what you are signing and are doing so intentionally.
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What a notary public does
A notary public is an individual who is recognised by a government authority and acts as an impartial witness when important documents are signed. Notaries are appointed by a government body or a regulating authority, such as a court or governor, and are often required to undergo special training and examinations. In the United States, most notaries are laypersons who are not qualified lawyers, and they are forbidden from engaging in any activities that could be considered the unlicensed practice of law.
The role of a notary public is to verify the identity of the signer of a document and act as an impartial witness to the signing. They ensure that the signer understands the document and is signing it without duress and of their own free will. The notary will then officially notarise the document using their stamp, write the date, and add their signature. The notarisation process is typically simple and usually involves the following steps:
- The signer presents the document to the notary public and signs it in their presence.
- The notary verifies the identity of the signer and ensures they understand the document and are signing of their own free will.
- The notary officially notarises the document using their stamp, writes the date, and adds their signature.
Documents that may require a notary include wills, sworn statements, powers of attorney, promissory notes, and bills of sale. Notary services are often provided for free at banks for customers, with a small fee sometimes charged for non-customers.
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Notary services for non-customers
Banks are not required to offer notary services, but most do have notaries available in at least one of their branches. While most banks provide free notary public services to their customers, they may charge a fee for non-customers or decline to provide the service. For example, Bank of America offers free notary services to its customers, but non-customers would need to inquire at a local branch about the fees and requirements. Similarly, Citibank may charge a fee for notary services, which non-customers would need to inquire about.
If you are a non-customer seeking notary services, it is recommended that you call ahead to confirm whether a bank has a notary and if they provide services to non-customers. You can also explore other options, such as credit unions, real estate firms, law offices, local clerk of court offices, public libraries, pharmacies, doctors' offices, UPS stores, or your local AAA office, which may offer free or low-cost notary services. Additionally, online notary services like Notarize provide a convenient and secure alternative to traditional in-person notarization, allowing you to connect with a certified notary from anywhere, at any time.
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Other places to find free notary services
Banks are not required to offer notary services, and not all banks provide free notary services, but many do offer this service for free to their customers. If you are not a customer of the bank, they may charge you for the service or decline to provide it.
- Financial institutions: Other financial services firms, such as credit unions, thrifts, real estate firms, tax preparation firms, or insurance company offices, also commonly have notaries available and provide that service to clients at no charge.
- Local government offices: Local government offices, such as city hall, often have Notary Publics available for free.
- Law offices: Law offices commonly have a notary on staff and may offer free services.
- Local clerk of court offices: Local clerk of court offices usually have a notary on staff and may offer free services.
- Public libraries: Some public libraries may offer free notary services.
- Pharmacies or doctors’ offices: Pharmacies or doctors’ offices may provide free notary services for medical records.
- Smaller banks: If you are not a customer of a large bank, you could try a smaller bank in your area that may accommodate non-account holders.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, most banks provide free notary services to their customers. If you are not a customer, you may be charged a fee.
Bank of America, Capital One, and Chase Bank offer free notary services to their customers. Citibank also provides notary services, but it's not clear if they are free.
Banks can notarize a wide range of documents, including affidavits, powers of attorney, deeds, contracts, and more. However, some documents, such as wills, codicils, and certain property deeds, may not be notarized by banks.
