Notary service is the way a document becomes legal in the eyes of the law. From wills to affidavits and more, documents need to be notarized before they can become legally binding.
A notary public is a person in charge of notarizing items. Depending on the state they work in, their services are used by individuals and businesses on a daily basis.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has been delivering the mail in the US for well over two centuries, although they didn’t officially become the USPS until 1971.
Since its inception, the duties of the USPS have grown over the years. But do they offer a notary service?
Does USPS have a Notary Service in 2024?
As of 2024, no USPS post office has a notary public or a notary service. There are no USPS offices that house a notary public or provide notary services to customers. While the USPS may employ the services of notary publics for their business practices, they do not offer that service to the public.
This means that if you are searching for notary service, you will need to look elsewhere. Given the nature of the USPS, this may seem somewhat strange that no notary service is offered.
Why Doesn’t USPS Offer Notary Service?
This may be confusing to some since other parcel and package delivery companies such as UPS do offer notary services. This is because such services are a part of their daily activities when delivering packages, parcels, or sending out faxes.
Therefore, it seems logical that USPS would have some type of notary service as part of the services they offer to the public.
But USPS does not offer a notary service and there is no single explanation as to why. What can be said is that USPS started off as a company run by the federal government with the primary purpose of delivering the mail.
It has never varied from that primary purpose, which may be why the company has chosen not to offer notary services to its customers.
However, since many post office locations are either inside government buildings that have other businesses or services, then you may find notary services within walking distance.
Quite often companies that have notary services will be located either inside or near government offices.
What Other Stores Can I Get Notarized?
You can find different types of businesses that offer notary services. This is because the notarization of documents to make the legal is a daily part of work for different industries and organizations.
A notary public may be independent or work as a part of a company or law firm. The most common types of businesses where you can find notary services will include the following.
- AAA
- Auto Tag & Licensing Agencies
- Banks & Credit Unions
- Colleges & Universities
- Law Offices or Law Firms
- Libraries
- Photocopy Shops
- Parcel Shipping Centers
- Real Estate Offices or Firms
For those that are near the post office, law firms, tag agencies, and libraries are a good bet. This is especially true if the post office is located inside a building that houses other businesses.
It’s also possible they may be near a UPS, a company that also delivers packages. The airport may be a good place as they often have USP and a post office nearby for the fast collection of mail transported by airplane.
How Do I Get Notarized?
To get your documents notarized, you will need to find a business that has a notary service. Choose one of the aforementioned businesses that offer a notary service.
Once you have found the business you should call ahead and make an appointment for having your documents notarized. It is possible that they accept walk-ins, but most notary publics will require an appointment since they are doing other work as part of their overall job.
Be sure to bring a government photo ID such as a driver’s license as that will be required. In some states, witnesses are required for the notarization to be recognized, but the notary public will usually call the witnesses themselves.
The notarization normally consists of stamping the documents with a special seal which is then signed and dated by the notary public. Keep in mind that each state has its own rules and regulations when it comes to how notarization works.
How Much Does a Notary Service Cost?
That will depend on the state in which you live and the location that you choose. Some locations such as the library may offer notarization for free.
The same may be true of a bank or credit union that you are a member. Because the fees you pay also provide for a notary service.
At other locations such as a parcel shipping center, law firm, or real estate office, the fee generally ranges from $15 to $25. It may be more expensive in states where there is no maximum limit to the fee that can be set.
Can I Get Notarized Online?
If you cannot find a location nearby that offers notary services, you may access one that is online. This form of notarization is recognized in the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and 48 states. The two exceptions are Illinois and New York, but they have their own online system.
Can You Get Notarized at USPS?
The USPS does not offer notary services as part of the services for consumers. The United States Postal Service offers a considerable number of services for the general public. However, notary service is not one of them.
This means that you will have to try another business that has a notary public who can notarize documents for customers just like you.
