Notarizing a document at a bank usually costs nothing if you have an account there. If you don’t, expect to pay roughly $5 to $15 per signature, with the exact amount capped by your state’s notary fee law. Bank notarization is one of the cheapest routes available, and a quick call before you go keeps the visit short.
Free for Account Holders at Most Major Banks
The big national banks treat notary service as a standard perk for customers. Bank of America offers it at no cost in its financial centers, with no cap on the number of signatures per visit.1Bank of America. Notary Services Chase and Wells Fargo follow the same model, providing free notarization to account holders. Many credit unions do the same for members, though some charge members of the public a small fee.
If you already have a checking or savings account, bring your ID and the document and you’ll typically walk out without paying anything.
What Non-Customers Pay
Walk into a bank where you don’t hold an account and you’ll generally be charged per signature. Fees usually land between $5 and $15, but the bank isn’t free to set any price it likes. Every state sets a maximum fee that any notary, including a bank employee, can charge for a single notarial act. Those caps run as low as $2 and as high as $25, with most states landing around $5 for a standard in-person acknowledgment or jurat. About a dozen states set no maximum at all, leaving the price to the notary or their employer.
Two practical consequences follow. First, the per-signature fee adds up when a document needs multiple signatures or multiple notarial acts. Second, the state cap is a ceiling, not a floor, so a bank can always charge less or waive the fee entirely. Call the branch before you go and ask what they charge non-customers; the answer takes thirty seconds and keeps you from being surprised at the counter.
Call Ahead, Even If It’s Free
Not every branch keeps a notary on duty at all times. Many banks now route notary requests through an appointment system rather than accepting walk-ins. Wells Fargo asks customers to book through its appointment tool.2Wells Fargo. Make an Appointment Questions Bank of America also recommends scheduling before you arrive.1Bank of America. Notary Services Even at branches that take walk-ins, the on-staff notary may be out that day. A short phone call confirms both availability and price.
What to Bring
Three things make the visit work:
- A valid government-issued photo ID: a driver’s license, state ID card, or U.S. passport. It must be current or issued within the last five years. The name on the ID has to match the name on the document.
- The complete document, with every page and all blanks filled in except the signature line. A notary is required to refuse anything that looks incomplete.
- Any required witnesses. Some documents, including certain healthcare directives, need witnesses in addition to the notary. Bank of America notes that a bank associate may sometimes serve as a witness, but you should plan to bring your own.1Bank of America. Notary Services
Documents Banks Often Won’t Notarize
Price doesn’t matter if the bank turns you away. Bank notaries handle routine paperwork, but many branches have internal rules against documents that could expose the bank to liability.
- Wills, living wills, and trusts. Many banks prohibit their notaries from handling estate-planning documents because errors can lead to expensive claims later. An attorney’s office or independent notary is usually a better fit.
- Powers of attorney. Some banks are increasingly reluctant to notarize powers of attorney, particularly durable financial POAs. Confirm with the branch first.
- Form I-9. The employment eligibility form is not a notarized document. A notary public can serve as an employer’s authorized representative to complete Section 2, but is not acting as a notary when doing so, and no notary seal belongs on the form.3U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 2.0 Who Must Complete Form I-9
- Foreign-language documents. If the notary can’t read the document or communicate with the signer, the notarization can’t go forward. Bank of America explicitly flags this as grounds for declining.4Bank of America. Understanding Notary Services at Bank of America
- Documents the bank itself prepared. A notary is supposed to be impartial, so many banks bar their employees from notarizing in-house paperwork.
What You’ll Pay If the Bank Can’t Help
If a bank won’t take your document, or you can’t reach a branch during business hours, a few alternatives sit at different price points.
Shipping Stores and Independent Notaries
UPS Store locations and other shipping and mailbox centers often employ notaries. Expect $5 to $15 per signature, in line with what a non-customer pays at a bank. Independent notaries at office supply stores charge in the same range. No account required, but you still appear in person with valid ID.
Mobile Notaries
A mobile notary comes to your home, office, or hospital room. You pay both the notarial fee and a travel charge, and totals commonly run from $25 to $150 or more depending on location, time of day, and the number of signatures. The premium makes sense for a homebound signer or a tight deadline. For routine documents, a bank is far cheaper.
Remote Online Notarization
Remote online notarization happens over a video call. As of early 2025, 45 states and the District of Columbia have permanent laws authorizing it. State fee caps for remote acts typically run from $5 to $25 per signature, and some states allow an added technology fee. You’ll need a webcam, a stable internet connection, and an ID the platform can verify electronically. Most major banks don’t offer remote online notarization directly, so you’d go through a third-party provider.