Many banks offer free or low-cost notary services to their members. But before going to a bank for notary services, there are few steps that must be completed for preparation. Many important legal, financial, and business documents may usually need to be notarized. These documents include:
Financial Documents
- Mortgage closing documents
- Property deeds
- Loan documents
- Wills
- Trusts
- Bills of sale for motor vehicles
Legal Documents
- Advanced health directives
- Power of attorney
- Guardianship agreements
- Handgun permits
- Homeschooling affidavits
- Medical authorizations for minors
- Prenuptial agreements
Business Documents
- Vendor contracts
- Commercial leases
- Employment contracts
One thing to keep in mind is that not all notaries will notarize all document types. Therefore, you must talk to a notary in advance to see if they are prepared to notarize the documents you need.
Not at all Chase Bank branches offer notary. As a result, you must look up the phone number of your local branch of Chase and call them in advance to see if they provide notary services. If they do not, check another branch.
To prepare for a notarization you will need to bring the following documents:
- The completed document that you would like notarized.
- A government issued photo ID such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport.
- All people who will be signing the document must be present.
Once the above factors have been coordinated, the next step is to choose a bank. Because most banks offer free notary services to members, many people will choose their bank for a notary service.
Otherwise, the following list of 20 banks that offer notary services will have a bank that will meet your needs.
Bank of America
Bank of America offers free notary services for their customers. Typically open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Bank of America’s notary services are only available for customers.
Additionally, not every location will have a notary service, so those looking for a public notary should find the financial centers that do have notary services. Appointments can be scheduled online or by calling 1 (800) 432-1000 for their customer service line.
Bank of America Store Locator
Bank of the West
The Bank of the West offers notary services for their customers and non-customers. For customers who already have an account with the Bank of the West, a notary will only cost $1; for non-customers, notary services will cost $5.
The phone number to call to make an appointment will vary by location, but customers and non-customers residing in the state of Oklahoma can call (580) 661-3541 to be matched with a location and make an appointment.
BB&T
BB&T offers public notary services to their current customers free of charge. This bank is generally open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, but some banks will have weekend hours. To access the free notary services, customers should call 800-BANK-BBT to make an appointment.
BECU
At BECU, notary services are offered for free fob both members and non-members who are conducting business with BEU. Further, all BECU locations will offer a public notary.
Hours are generally from Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Additionally, some locations may offer Sunday hours.
Customers can call 800-233-2328 to make a notary appointment or to get any questions answered.
Capital One
Capital One is a widely spread bank that offers free notary services to existing customers. Their hours are typically Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
However, notaries are only found at the full-service bank locations and customers should make an appointment ahead of time due to limited availability.
To make an appointment, customers can call the general customer service line at 1-877-383-4802.
Citibank
While not all Citibank locations offer notary services, some will have notaries on-site for their customers to use. Citibank notary services are generally free, but customers will need to call ahead to make an appointment at a location that does have a notary.
Customers can call 1-800-374-9700 to inquire about notary services and to make an appointment.
Fifth Third Bank
Notary services at Fifth Third Bank are free to customers who hold an active account. However, customers will need to call and set up an appointment during their regular business hours of Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
To talk to a customer representative from Fifth Third Bank, customers can call 1-866-671-5353.
First National Bank
First National Bank does have free notary services for customers with existing accounts. While customers can call ahead for an appointment, First National Bank does allow walk-ins for their notaries.
All locations should have notaries in house, so customers can stop by whenever is most convenient.
To call First National Bank, dial their customer service line at 1 (800) 555-5455.
First National Bank Store Locator
Huntington Bank
Notary services at Huntington Bank are free for their customers, but not all branches offer the same services so customers must set up an appointment ahead of time. Huntington Bank is generally open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To reach Huntington Bank by phone, call (800) 480-2265.
JP Morgan Chase Bank
Chase Bank only provides notary service for their existing customers. However, these notary services are free of charge.
Chase Bank’s operating hours are typically Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Customers looking for notary services can call 1-800-935-9935 for all general customer service questions and to find a bank near them.
KeyBank
KeyBank does have notary services for customers who currently hold accounts. These notary services are offered free of charge but are only available at select locations. That being said, customers should call to make an appointment at a location that offers these services.
KeyBank operates Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. To call KeyBank, dial 1-800-KEY2YOU®.
PNC Bank
PNC Bank has free notary services for their accountholders and only provides these services for those who have an account with them.
This bank is closed on Sunday and Monday but is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The customer service center can be reached by calling 1-888-PNC-BANK (762-2265).
Regions Bank
Regions Bank offers public notary services for its current account holders. Their hours are generally Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
However, not all locations have a notary on-site, so customers should contact their local branch for more details.
To call the customer service line of Regions Bank, dial 1-800-REGIONS.
Santander Bank
Santander Bank offers notary services by appointment only and will only serve current customers. Their notary services are free of charge, but customers should call ahead of time to make sure their location offers notary services.
Santander Bank can be reached by calling 1 (877) 768-2265.
SunTrust Bank
SunTrust Bank does have a public notary available for existing customers. To meet with a notary at SunTrust Bank, customers must set up an appointment during their regular business hours, which are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
SunTrust Bank’s customer service center can be reached by calling 800-SUNTRUST.
TCF Bank
TCF Bank offers notary services for both customers and non-customers. While meeting with a public notary is free for members, it will cost $1 (or $0.50 for Wisconsin residents) to use notary services if customers do not hold an account with TCF Bank.
TCF Banks’ hours are typically from Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. While it is not always required, customers should call to see if they need to make an appointment with a TCF Bank notary. The customer service line can be reached at 612-823-2265.
TrustCO Bank
TrustCO Bank does offer free notary services for its customers. TrustCO Bank generally operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
It is advised that customers call ahead to schedule an appointment for a notary. To contact TrustCO Bank with questions regarding notary services, call 1-800-846-1657 or 518-381-3643.
U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank offers free notary services for account holders and charges $2 for customers who do not hold an account with them, although, this fee may vary by branch.
U.S. Bank is typically open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Customers may need an appointment to use U.S. Bank’s notary services, so they should call 1 (800) 872-2657.
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo does have notary services that are free for account holders. Generally open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., customers should call to make an appointment with a notary.
To reach Wells Fargo’s customers’ service lien, call 1-800-869-3557.
Woodforest National Bank
Woodforest National Bank offers free notary service for its Sterling Advantage and Platinum Plus checking account customers. All other customers and non-members may have to pay a small fee to use this notary service.
Open Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., customers should call 1-877-968-7962 to make an appointment.
Woodforest National Bank Store Locator
Average Notary Fees by States
| State | Acknowledgement | Jurats | Verbal Oath |
| Idaho | $2 | $2 | $2 |
| Missouri | $2 | $2 | $1 |
| Ohio | $2 | $1.50 (affidavit) | $2 |
| New Jersey | $2.50 | $2.50 | $2.50 |
| New Mexico | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| North Carolina | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Oklahoma | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| South Carolina | $5 | $5 | $5 per person |
| Utah | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Florida | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| Montana | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| Oregon | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| Washington | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| California | $15 | $15 | $15 |
| Nevada | $5, additionals $2.50 | $5 | $2.50 |
| Colorado | $5, eNotarization $10 | $5, eNotarization $10 | $5 |
| Virginia | $5, eNotarization $25 | $5, eNotarization $25 | $5 |
| Texas | $6, additionals $1 | $6 | $6 |
| Kentucky | Notaries set their fees | ||
| Tennessee | Notaries set their fees |
Notary Public Role and Process Flow
The role of a notary public is to help prevent fraudulent document signing. When signing important legal documents, such as processes involving deeds, estates, or powers-of-attorney, a notary will likely be present to witness the signing of the documents.
This ensures that all documents were signed correctly and willingly.
More specifically, a notary public will be an impartial presence to verify the identity of the signers, make sure the signers are signing the document under no noticeable duress or intimidation, and ensure that the signers are aware of what they are agreeing to by signing the document.
Once the documents have been signed by all parties, the notary public will apply their own signature seal that certifies the signed document as credible and authentic.
