The best way to get your document notarized is by visiting the branch of your bank. You can get your documents notarized for free in some banks. However, some banks will charge you for notarizing your document. In this article, we are going to talk about locations where you can get your document notarized for free.
Your document is notarized when a notary public like bank verifies your identity. In some rare cases, you need to swear that the facts provided by you are correct. You need to notarize most of your legal documents. Banks are already handling a lot of paperwork that needs to be notarized. Thus, even bank employees can act as notaries. Some banks offer free notary services to their customers.
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How does the notarization process work?
Notarization is a very simple process. You need to show your documents to any notary public. Also, you need to sign it in their presence. After that, the officials will notarize your documents by their official stamp. They will also add their signature and write the current date. Most times you need to show your photo ID to the officials. This is to ensure that the correct person is signing the documents.
You can notarize any document. However, most common documents are rental agreement, power of attorney, copy certifications and sworn statements. You need to notarize most of the legal documents.
Why is notarization important?
The notary or official will check your identity before notarizing your documents. Thus, they act as a witness. They will make sure that you are signing documents in front of them. You don’t need to sign your documents before meeting the notary.
Every notary has to take a legal oath. They can’t notarize your document until you sign the document in front of them.
If you have already signed your document, then you must immediately get an unsigned copy. Once you have signed the document in front of a notary, they will compare it with your original signature.
If the signature is authentic, then they will notarize your original document. Sometimes they can also notarize the copy of your original document. Thus, you don’t need to notarize your original documents.
Where can you find a Notary?
Most of the major U.S banks have a notary public in their branch. If they don’t have any notary, then the bank manager will redirect your request to another branch. These banks also provide notary services for free to their customers. If you don’t have an account in their bank, then they can charge you some money. Thus, it is best to visit your own bank.
Also, make sure that you are carrying a government-issued photo ID with you. Your notary will first check the authenticity of your photo ID. After that, you need to provide your documents to the notary. You need to sign your documents in their presence. After that, the notary will notarize your documents. Now, we are going to talk about some locations where you can get your document notarized for free.
1. Alliant Credit Union
- Website: https://www.alliantcreditunion.org/atms/
- Fees: If you are a customer, then the notary service is free for you.
- Typical hours: You can visit between 7.30 am – 4 pm on Monday – Friday. The bank is closed on Sunday and Saturday.
- Other important information: You can find the notary services in branch details of every branch.
2. Bank of America
- Website: https://locators.bankofamerica.com/
- Fees: If you are a customer, then you don’t need to pay anything.
- Typical hours: You can visit between 9.00 am – 5.00 pm on Monday – Thursday. Also, you can visit between 9 am – 6 pm on Friday. The bank is closed on Sunday and Saturday.
- Other important information: Notary services are only available to customers. Also, they are available in a few branches. Thus, you should confirm with your local branch before visiting it.
3. Chase Bank
- Website: https://locator.chase.com/?locale=en_US
- Fees: If you are a customer, then you don’t need to pay anything.
- Typical hours: You can visit between 9.00 am – 6.00 pm on Monday – Friday. Also, you can visit between 9:00 am – 2:00 pm on Saturday. The bank is closed on Sunday.
- Other important information: Only customers can get free notary services.
4. Citibank
- Website: https://online.citi.com/US/ag/citibank-location-finder
- Fees: The fees will vary according to your branch. You should inquire your local branch about the fees.
- Typical hours: You can visit between 9.00 am – 5.00 pm on Monday. Also, you can visit between 9:00 am – 4:00 pm on Tuesday – Thursday or between 9:00 am – 5:00 pm on Friday. The bank is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
- Other important information: Only a few branches provide notary service. Thus, you must have an appointment in advance.
5. Connexus Credit Union
- Website: https://www.connexuscu.org/discover/locations/
- Fees: It is free for all customers.
- Typical hours: You can visit between 8:00 am – 5:00 pm from Monday – Friday. The bank is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
- Other important information: Only members can get free notary services.
6. Huntington Bank
- Website: https://www.huntington.com/branchlocator
- Fees: The fees will vary according to your branch. You should inquire your local branch about the fees.
- Typical hours: You can visit between 9.00 am – 5.00 pm on Monday – Thursday. Also, you can visit between 9:00 am – 6:00 pm on Friday. The bank is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
- Other important information: You need to make an appointment first.
If your branch is providing notary services, then it will be listed in the “more information” section of your branch.
7. Navy Federal Credit Union
- Website: https://www.navyfederal.org/branches-atms/index.php
- Fees: If you have documents related to Navy Federal, then you can avail notary services for free. You can also get two other types of documents notarized in a week for free. After that, you need to pay $5.00 for every document.
- Typical hours: You can visit between 8:00 am – 5:00 pm on Monday – Friday. The bank is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
- Other important information: Notary services are only free if you are living in California. It is not available for documents related to Louisiana. Also, they can’t provide you notary service for wills.
8. PNC Bank
- Website: https://apps.pnc.com/locator/#/search
- Fees: It is completely free for customers.
- Typical hours: You can visit between 9.00 am – 5.00 pm on Tuesday – Thursday. Also, you can visit between 9:00 am – 6:00 pm on Friday or between 9:00 am – 12:00 pm on Saturday. The bank is closed on Sunday and Monday.
- Other important information: Only customers can get free notary services.
9. U.S. Bank
- Website: https://locations.usbank.com/search.html
- Fees: It is completely free for customers. Even non-customers can get a notary for $2.00. However, this fee may vary according to your branch.
- Typical hours: You can visit between 9.00 am – 4.00 pm on Monday – Thursday. Also, you can visit between 9:00 am – 6:00 pm on Friday or between 9:00 am – 12:00 pm on Saturday. The bank is closed on Sunday.
- Other important information: Everyone can get their document notarized in U.S. bank.
10. Wells Fargo
- Website: https://www.wellsfargo.com/locator/
- Fees: If you are a customer, then it is free for you.
- Typical hours: You can visit between 9.00 am – 5.00 pm on Monday – Thursday. Also, you can visit between 9:00 am – 6:00 pm on Friday or between 9:00 am – 12:00 pm on Saturday. The bank is closed on Sunday.
- Other important information: You need to take an appointment before visiting your branch.
You can use notary service as a search option for finding a local branch. Most of the branches are already providing free notary services. Also, they have multiple notaries in every location. Still, you should make an appointment before visiting your local branch.
These banks can notarize most of your documents. But, if you are notarizing your wills or deeds, then you need to take your attorney with you. There are a few more locations where you can get your document notarized for free.
11. UPS Stores
You can also get your documents notarized from UPS stores. However, you need to pay $6-10 per page. If you want to quickly notarize your documents, then this is the best option. They have more than 4,500 locations in the USA. Thus, you can easily find UPS stores.
12. AAA Members
Most of the AAA branches are offering free notary services to their members. If you are already a member of the AAA, then you can get your document notarized for free. You can visit your local AAA office for getting your document notarized. They will see your membership card before notarizing your documents.
Some AAA branches can charge you for notary services. Thus, you should contact your local branch before visiting them.
13. Public Libraries
Sometimes even local libraries can offer you free notary services. If you need a free notary or tax preparation advice, then you should call your local library first.
14. Military
You can also get notary services from military officers. If you are already working in the military, then this may be the best option for you. Every officer is already a legal notary. However, not every military officer will provide this service. Thus, you must ask your friends that are working in the military.
15. Online Notary
Website: https://www.notarize.com/
You can even use online services for notarizing your documents. In some cases, you need to do an in-person signature for validating our documents. But, you can even notarize some of your documents online. The notary will first verify your identity online. After that, you need to record your signature in a video. If you are living in Virginia, then you can use the Notarize app. They will notarize your documents for $25 only.
Conclusion
You need a notary for finalizing your official applications and legal documents. Most of the banks are providing this service for free. Thus, if you already their customer, then you can get notary services for free.
In some cases, even non-customers can get notary services for a minimal fee. There are many different businesses that offer this service. You should try these places for notarizing your documents.
Otherwise, you can always pay some fees to a certified notary. They can notarize your documents for a minimal fee.
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