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Where to Get Your Document Notarized for Free

Need to get a document notarized for free? Depending on where you live or who you know, you might have several options. Check out this list of places near you that can notarize your document for free.

Notary notebook
Notary notebook

1. Your Bank or Credit Union

The first place you should check to get a document notarized for free is your bank.

Bank of America will notarize for free! So will Wells Fargo. Another example is SF Fire Credit Union. Call or check online to see if your bank will notarize for free.

Note that most banks won’t have a notary on site all of the time. Bank of America allows you to make an appointment, so definitely do that rather than just walking in!

Also, some banks won’t notarize wills or real estate documents due to liability issues, so be specific when you call.

2. The Auto Club

AAA Auto Club
AAA Auto Club

If you are a Premier member of AAA, they will notarize for free!

Check out or call the Auto Club in your state to see if they will notarize for free for other members. In the state of Rhode Island, it was free for all members!

In California, notarizations are free for Premier members, $6 for Plus members, and $10 for Classic members. While this is not free, it’s a pretty good price. Elsewhere, it can cost $15.

3. Public Libraries

Some public libraries will notarize for free. Check the website of your local branches. Some examples include:

  1. Central Arkansas Library System
  2. La Porte County Public Library in Indiana
  3. Mercer County Library in New Jersey
  4. The North Kingstown Free Library in Rhode Island
  5. Weber County Library System in Utah

Just be sure to call ahead, as there are usually limited staff who are trained as notaries and they are not available at all business hours.

4. Your Real Estate Agent

Real estate notary
Real estate notary

Real Estate offices often have notaries and some agents are themselves, notaries. If you’ve used an agent to buy a home in the past, or if you’re friends with one, they’d probably be happy to help you out with a free notarization.

5. Your Insurance Agent

Check with your insurance agent to see if they’d be willing to notarize your document for free. It worked for reader Dana!

6. Courthouses

Reader Natosha pointed out that some courthouses will notarize for free! I confirmed by checking the New York courthouse, and sure enough, they do it! Check a courthouse near you.

7. City Clerk Offices

Some city government offices offer free notary services. Some examples include the City of Carbondale, IL, the City of Jacksonville, IL, the Town of Hollis, NH, and the Town of Harvard, MA!

The city of Lacy, Washington will notarize for just $3, which is a steal. Google for free or cheap notarizations by your city.

8. County Clerk Offices

Similarly, some county clerk offices offer free notarizations. One example is the Franklin County Clerk/Recorder in Illinois. Just be sure to differentiate between services for notaries (i.e., certificates for people who want to become notaries), and actual notary services.

9. Police Departments

Wow, I wouldn’t have guessed this one, but reader Solyda clued me in. Some police stations offer free notary services.

While not free, the UC San Francisco Police Department offers notarizations for $10.

10. Your Tax Preparer or Accountant

Some tax preparation firms offer notary services. Check to see if yours does. If you give them a lot of business, they might notarize for free.

11. Your Place of Employment

If you work in a large company, odds are there’s a notary working there, either in an official capacity or moonlighting.

12. Colleges and Universities

If you are a student, faculty, or staff member of a college or university, you might be in luck. Just by Googling around, I found a number of colleges and universities that will provide free notary services to teachers, students, and staff, such as Teachers College Columbia University, Western University in California, NC State, and Penn State.

UNC Charlotte offers free notary services to teachers and staff, but not students, unfortunately.

If you are affiliated with a college or university, check to see what notary services they offer. You never know!

13. Lawyers

Many lawyers have the ability to notarize documents (as long as they are not involved in a case involving that document). If you have a friend or relative who is a lawyer, ask them about it.

14. Some Mail Box Stores (for members)

There is an independent mailbox/shipping store near me that offers free notarizations for customers who have a mailbox there. If you renting a mailbox, check to see if they also do free notarizations!

15. Family and Friends

You can post on Facebook that you need a notary and see if a friend near you comes up! You might have a friend who is a notary, real estate agent, lawyer, etc., and is willing to do it for free or for trade. This worked for me, but I made sure to buy her lunch for her trouble!

What are some other places that you’ve found that will notarize for free? Please comment below – Brian.

Non-Free Options

If none of the solutions above work for you, some shipping stores such as the UPS Store notarize for a small fee (you may need to schedule an appointment though). Some currency exchanges also notarize for a fee. Or you can Google around for a notary service in your area. Note, the FedEx store does not notarize anymore due to some legal issues they had.

Skip the Hassle and Notarize Online!

If you don’t have time to drive around looking for a notary in your neighborhood and wait in line, etc., consider using an online notary service like NotaryLive. They notarize 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! It’s not free but the cost is well worth it if your time is valuable! And, with COVID-19 still around, it’s not a bad idea to do as many things virtually rather than in-person as possible:

Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I test or research each product or service before endorsing. This site is not owned by any retailer or manufacturer. I own this site and the opinions expressed here are mine. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Darlene Johnson
Darlene Johnson
2 years ago

Hi my name is darlene and I’m with verizon cell phone company and I feel like they are charging me to much on my phone bill every month and i need new options about phone services

Anonymous
Anonymous
2 years ago

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Our site
2 years ago

This article are great! Thank you for sharing with us.

James Militello
James Militello
2 years ago

Thanks Brian, Your info was a very great help. I’m seeing my Reality Officer tomorrow on another matter and I will ask him about this. Thanks again.
James M.

Diane
Diane
2 years ago

Thanks Brian !
I appreciate you sharing this information and taking the time to make this information available to others while you fulfill your personal interests. I found it very helpful to me in my sudden pinch for time today. Thank you for that!

Diane

Anonymous
Anonymous
2 years ago

Hello, Brian. Many lawyers are notaries. If you have a friend who’s a lawyer, I’d ask them. Great site, Brian Thank you.

DANA L RIGGINS
DANA L RIGGINS
3 years ago

Awesome! I actually work in an office that has several notaries but with me working at home trying to find a notary can be interesting – and expensive! Your suggestion of the Insurance Agent was spot on! Finally I get something for all that money I pay them! lol My other options were going to cost me a minimum of $20! Thanks for the info! Hope you are doing well! Take care!

Devinder Paul
Devinder Paul
3 years ago

Hello there. I am in need of a notary for two signature on power of attorney. I am a retired person and can not effort its fees. Thanks Looking forward to hear.

Anonymous
Anonymous
3 years ago

County clerk, bank with account,dr that del baby.