Quick Answer:
No. The United States Postal Service does not offer notary services at its locations.. For fast notarization, use an online notary service like NotaryLive and get your documents notarized in about 10 minutes from home.Notarize online with NotaryLive.com
Key Takeaways
- The United States Postal Service does not offer notary services at any location.
- People confuse USPS with The UPS Store, which does provide notary services at most franchises.
- NotaryLive, a remote online notarization platform, gets your important documents notarized in about 10 minutes from home.
USPS does not provide notary services at any location. This post explains why, names the places that cause confusion, and shows a faster way to find a notary near you.
Does the Post Office Have a Notary?
The short answer is no. USPS does not have notaries on staff at any of its more than 31,000 retail locations.
The question comes up often, and the answer is generally the same nationwide. According to the National Notary Association, state governments issue notary commissions, not federal agencies. USPS is a federal service, and notary commissions are issued by state authorities.
Postal employees handle mail, packages, money orders, and passport applications. Signing documents and giving oaths are not part of their job. A notary public holds a state-issued commission. Postal workers do not.
Can I Get a Notary at the Post Office?
No. You cannot get a notary at any post office location in the country. This is true whether you need to notarize a document, find a mobile notary, or handle basic document notarization. No USPS notary program exists at the federal level.
Why Do People Think USPS Offers Notary Services?
The confusion comes from the name. The UPS Store is a private company, separate from USPS. Its franchises offer notary services, and the two names are easy to mix up.
Some postal annexes and Mail Boxes Etc. locations sit next to post offices. These private shops sometimes notarize important documents. The post office itself does not.
Where Can I Find a Notary Near Me?
Several local options exist. Each comes with tradeoffs.
| Location | Cost | Notes |
| Banks and credit unions | Free for account holders | Appointment usually required |
| The UPS Store | $5 – $15 per signature | Available during business hours at most locations |
| AAA offices | Free for members | Hours vary by club |
| Public libraries | Free or low cost | Limited hours; call ahead |
| Online Notary | Starts at $25 | Available 24/7, no travel required |
How Does Online Notarization Work?
NotaryLive, an online notarization platform, walks you through four steps to notarize a document. You upload your file and verify your identity with a photo ID. You then complete a knowledge-based quiz, connect with a commissioned notary over secure video, and download the finished file.
Sessions start at $25. Online notarization is currently legal in 45 states plus D.C. The video session uses identity verification that is stronger than most in-person checks. You can get your important documents notarized outside normal post office hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I get a notary at post office locations?
A: No. USPS does not employ notaries at any branch in the country.
Q: Does the post office do notary work?
A: No, not at any USPS location in the United States.
Q: Is online notarization legal?
A: Online notarization is available in many states and in Washington, D.C., subject to state-specific rules. Documents notarized by a properly commissioned notary are generally recognized, though acceptance can depend on the receiving party and document type.
Q: How much does online notarization cost?
A: NotaryLive sessions start at $25. In-person notaries typically charge $5 to $15 per signature, depending on your state’s fee cap.
Q: What do I need to notarize documents online?
A: Bring your unsigned document and a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport.
Q: Does UPS offer notary services?
A: Most UPS Store franchise locations offer notary services during business hours. Fees run $5 to $15 per signature.
Q: Can a bank notarize my documents for free?
A: Many major banks notarize documents at no charge for account holders. Appointments are usually required, and hours are limited.
Skip the Drive
The post office is not the place for notarization. Driving to a bank or shipping store can cost you an hour you do not have. NotaryLive finishes the whole process online in about 10 minutes, any time of day.
About NotaryLive
NotaryLive is a leading provider of digital notarization and eSign solutions. They are dedicated to enhancing business efficiency through a secure, user-friendly platform. This platform prioritizes understanding and meeting customer needs. By offering innovative tools for electronic signatures and online notarization, NotaryLive empowers professionals to manage documents easily, anywhere, any time.
The NotaryLive editorial team wrote this post.
