You can get a 50-hour driving affidavit notarized at a bank, a shipping store like The UPS Store or FedEx Office, a public library, or through a mobile or online notary. Fees usually run from free to about $25 per signature. The catch is that everyone whose signature needs notarizing has to appear in person with valid photo ID, which gets complicated when one of the signers is a teenager who doesn’t have an ID yet.
Where to Go
A bank or credit union is the fastest option for most families. Many notarize documents at no charge for account holders, and some do it for free regardless. Bank of America, for instance, offers free notary services to anyone who walks in with a valid document and acceptable ID.1Bank of America. Notary Services Call ahead. Not every branch has a notary on duty every day.
Shipping and mail stores keep notaries available during normal business hours, with fees typically $5 to $15 per signature. Public libraries are another good option, especially in cities, and some do it for free, though hours are limited.
Real estate offices and law firms sometimes have in-house notaries, but they usually reserve the service for clients. If your schedule won’t allow a trip, a mobile notary will come to you. Expect a travel fee on top of the per-signature charge. States cap per-signature notary fees anywhere from about $2 to $25, but travel costs are separate, so a mobile visit usually totals more than a walk-in.
Remote Online Notarization
If getting out is difficult, remote online notarization lets you handle the whole thing over a live video call. As of 2024, 47 states and the District of Columbia allow it, with rules that vary by state. Online platforms typically charge around $25 per document. Before you book one, confirm your state’s driver licensing agency accepts remotely notarized affidavits. Most do; a few still require in-person notarization for certain driving-related documents.
What to Bring
Bring the completed affidavit, but don’t sign it ahead of time. Every signature being notarized has to happen in front of the notary. Sign it early and the notary has to turn you away.
Each signer also needs a current, government-issued photo ID: a driver’s license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID. The name on the ID has to match the name on the affidavit exactly. If you use a nickname or your legal name has changed, resolve that before the appointment. Bring cash or a card for the fee, and confirm the accepted payment method when you call.
When the Teen Doesn’t Have a Photo ID
This is where families get stuck. The affidavit usually needs signatures from both the teen driver and a supervising adult, and the teen may not have a photo ID yet. A notary cannot simply take a parent’s word for the minor’s identity.
Most states offer a workaround called a credible witness: an adult who personally knows the signer and swears to their identity under oath. The witness brings their own valid photo ID. They cannot be named in the document or have a financial interest in it, and a parent who is also signing the affidavit usually can’t serve as the witness for the minor. Plan to bring another adult who knows your teen, such as a grandparent, family friend, or driving instructor.
The easier fix is to get the minor a state-issued non-driver ID card before the appointment. Most states issue them to minors, and having one removes the need for a credible witness.
Does Everyone Have to Appear Together
A notary can only notarize the signature of a person who is physically present. If both the teen’s and the adult’s signatures need notarizing, both have to appear. They can go together, or each can visit a notary separately. Going separately means two notarial certificates and often two per-signature fees.
Some states only require the supervising adult’s signature to be notarized, not the minor’s. Check your state’s affidavit instructions before the appointment so you know who actually needs to be there.
At the Appointment and After
The appointment takes about five to ten minutes. The notary checks your photo ID, may glance over the affidavit to confirm it has no blank spaces, and then watches you sign. Notaries verify identity and willingness to sign, not whether you actually drove the 50 hours.2American Society of Notaries. Your Basic Duties as a Notary Public The notary then signs, applies the official stamp or seal, and logs the act in their journal.
The notarized affidavit goes to your state’s driver licensing agency when the teen applies for a full license. Bring the original with the seal and signatures, not a photocopy. Keep a copy for your records. If the original is lost or damaged, you’ll need to complete and notarize a new one from scratch.