Do Banks Have Notary Publics? Costs, Documents, and Alternatives

Yes, most major banks have notaries public on staff, and many notarize documents free of charge for their own account holders. The catch is that not every branch has a commissioned notary working at any given moment, and banks won’t notarize every type of document, so a quick phone call before you drive over is worth the two minutes it takes.

Which Banks Offer Notary Services

Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo all provide notary services at many of their branches. Bank of America states explicitly that it does not charge a fee for notarizations and offers the service at many of its financial centers.¹ Chase lists notary services among the general products available at its branches.² Wells Fargo also offers in-branch notarization and recommends scheduling an appointment online beforehand.³

Credit unions frequently offer free notary services to members too, though they may exclude certain document types like real estate transactions. Smaller community banks and credit unions are more likely to have limited notary availability.

The real question isn’t whether a bank offers the service. It’s whether a commissioned notary is actually working when you show up. Branch notaries handle notarizations alongside their regular banking duties, so if they’re on lunch, on vacation, or slammed with customers, you’re out of luck. Call the specific branch that morning.

What It Costs

For account holders, notarization at a bank is usually free. Bank of America charges no fee regardless of the document.¹ Other banks may charge non-customers a small fee. Every state sets a maximum a notary can charge per notarial act, ranging from as low as $2 per signature in some states up to $25 in others. In practice, the bank’s own policy usually determines whether you pay anything, and being an account holder is the deciding factor.

Outside a bank, expect to pay more. The UPS Store charges per notarization at rates that vary by location.⁴ Mobile notaries who travel to you typically charge between $40 and $150, depending on distance, time of day, and urgency. The notarial fee itself stays within the state cap; the extra cost covers travel and convenience. Remote online notarization platforms generally run $15 to $39 per session.

What To Bring

You need a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID: a driver’s license, state ID card, or U.S. passport all work. If the notary doesn’t know you personally and you can’t produce acceptable identification, the notarization cannot go forward.¹

Bring the entire document, including every page, not just the signature page. The document should be complete, with no blank spaces that affect its meaning, but leave it unsigned. Signing must happen in the notary’s physical presence. Wells Fargo puts it plainly: “Wait to sign and date your document(s) in the presence of the notary.”³ The notary must observe you signing voluntarily, without coercion, as part of performing a lawful notarial act.⁵

If your document requires witnesses, don’t assume the bank can supply them. Bank of America notes that while a bank associate may sometimes act as a witness, certain documents require a non-bank independent witness, so bring your own if needed.¹

Documents Banks Will and Won’t Handle

Banks routinely notarize everyday financial and legal documents: affidavits, powers of attorney, loan documents, deeds, and contracts. If the document has a notarial certificate attached and you can present valid ID, the notarization is usually straightforward.

Wills are where things get tricky. Many bank notaries decline to notarize wills and other estate planning documents because those instruments have strict statutory requirements that vary by state, and a small procedural misstep can invalidate the entire document. The UPS Store takes the same approach, with many locations refusing to notarize wills.⁴ If you need a will notarized, an attorney’s office or a notary who specializes in estate documents is a safer bet.

Bank of America also notes that for complex or unfamiliar notarial requests, the notary may recommend you use a different notary service or consult legal counsel.¹

When a Notary Will Refuse

A notary isn’t a rubber stamp. They have legal obligations that sometimes require them to turn you away. The common reasons a bank notary will decline:

You can’t produce a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID and the notary doesn’t know you personally.
The document has blank spaces, missing pages, or key information that hasn’t been filled in.
You signed the document before arriving, so the notary can’t verify you were the one who signed.
The notary believes you’re being pressured into signing or don’t understand what you’re signing.
The notary and the signer can’t communicate directly.
The notary personally has a stake in the document or is a named party.

None of these refusals are arbitrary. Each traces back to the core purpose of notarization: verifying that the right person signed a document voluntarily and with understanding.⁵

Notarization Is Not a Medallion Signature Guarantee

One situation catches people off guard at banks. You walk in expecting a simple notarization, and the teller tells you that you actually need a medallion signature guarantee. These are two different things, and a notary stamp will not substitute for a medallion guarantee.

A medallion signature guarantee is required when you hold stocks, bonds, or other securities in physical certificate form and want to transfer or sell them. The transfer agent handling the transaction won’t accept the paperwork without one.⁶ The guarantee does more than verify your signature. It confirms you have legal authority to transfer the assets and shifts liability to the guaranteeing institution if the signature turns out to be fraudulent.

Only institutions enrolled in a recognized medallion program can issue these guarantees, and not every bank branch participates. You’ll typically need to be an existing customer. If you’ve inherited physical stock certificates or need to retitle securities, ask your bank specifically about medallion signature guarantees, not notary services.

Alternatives When the Bank Won’t Work

If your branch has no notary available, or your document is one banks tend to decline, several alternatives are widely available:

Shipping centers like The UPS Store offer notary services at participating locations, though availability varies and some locations won’t handle wills or employment eligibility forms.⁴
Law and real estate offices often have notaries on staff and are more willing to handle complex documents like estate planning instruments and closings.
Public libraries offer free or low-cost notary services in many areas, though hours may be limited.
Mobile notaries travel to your home, office, or hospital. Expect $40 to $75 for a standard daytime visit and $75 to $150 for evenings, weekends, or rush requests.
Remote online notarization lets you connect with a commissioned notary over live video, verify your identity electronically, and sign digitally. As of early 2025, 45 states plus Washington, D.C. have enacted permanent RON laws. Sessions generally cost $15 to $39, and each signature is usually charged separately.

AAA branches also provide notary services to members at some locations. Whatever route you choose, the fundamentals hold everywhere: bring valid ID, leave the document unsigned, and make sure all signers are present or connected for the session.

1
Bank of America. Notary Services from Bank of America
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Chase. List of Services Available at Branches
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Wells Fargo. Make an Appointment – Frequently Asked Questions
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The UPS Store. Notary Services at The UPS Store
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American Society of Notaries. Physical Presence – The Foundation of All Notarial Acts
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Investor.gov. Medallion Signature Guarantees – Preventing the Unauthorized Transfer of Securities