What Banks Notarize for Free?

Notarization serves as a fundamental process in the financial and legal landscape, ensuring the authenticity and integrity of various documents. Its primary purpose is to deter fraudulent activities by verifying the identity of signers and confirming their willingness to execute an agreement. Many individuals seek convenient and cost-effective notarization options, often leading them to consider services offered by banking institutions.

Banks Offering Notary Services

Many large national banks and local community banks or credit unions provide notary services to their customers. Financial institutions like Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo commonly have certified notaries on staff within their branches. These services are typically offered free of charge to individuals who hold an account with the bank.

For individuals who do not maintain an account with a specific bank, policies can vary significantly. Some banks may offer notarization services to non-account holders for a nominal fee, which generally ranges from $5 to $15 per signature or document. Other institutions might choose not to provide the service to non-customers at all. Always contact the bank in advance to confirm notary availability, operating hours, and policies for account holders versus non-account holders.

Preparing for Notarization

Before visiting a bank for notarization, individuals must gather required items. A valid form of photo identification is always required to verify the signer’s identity. Acceptable identification typically includes a government-issued, unexpired document such as a driver’s license, state-issued identification card, U.S. passport, or military ID. The name displayed on this identification must precisely match the name on the document to be notarized.

Individuals should bring the complete document that requires notarization, ensuring all blank spaces are filled out. However, the document should remain unsigned, as the signature must be applied in the presence of the notary public. Signers are expected to understand the contents of the document they are signing, as a notary public is prohibited from providing legal advice or explaining the document’s implications. If multiple individuals are required to sign the document, each signer must be present with their own valid identification.

The Notarization Appointment

Upon arrival at the bank, individuals should inform staff they require notary services. The notary public will begin the process by examining the identification presented by the signer. This step verifies the signer’s identity against the document and identification.

The signer must then affix their signature to the document directly in the notary’s presence. Following the signature, the notary public will complete the notarial certificate, which is a formal statement attesting to the notarization. They will apply their official stamp or seal to the document and record the transaction in their official journal. The fully notarized document is then returned to the signer, concluding the appointment.