You might be wondering what a notary public is and how to find one? Simply put, a notary public is a public official who has the right to administer oaths and affirmations by the state. They watch you sign a document to prove that you are, in fact, the one signing it.
When you go to a notary public, you must bring your ID then sign the document. After that, they will put a stamp on the document to confirm that they witnessed it. If you are having a difficult time trying to find a notary public, keep reading to learn where to find one.
Where to Find a Notary Public
Becoming a notary public can be done by almost anyone, but the best and most common places to look for some can be seen below.
- Your company: Often times, administrative assistants can notarize documents and it can sometime be done for free.
- Your bank: Banks usually have notaries and are also able to provide Medallion Guarantees. These are similar to notary publics, however, they have stricter requirements. If you need one, be sure to call your bank to confirm when they will be present.
- Your pharmacy: Many pharmacies, such as Walgreens or CVS, offer notary services also. However, it is more likely that independent pharmacies offer them, but it can’t hurt to call and find out.
- Your library: Your local public library may have a notary that is usually free or for a low cost. Although, they might only offer it at certain locations and times, so be sure to check ahead of time.
- AAA: A member benefit of AAA is that you can gain access to a notary public for free, most of the time. Non-members still have access to notary public services, but there will be a cost.
- UPS store: Almost every UPS Store owner is a notary, but I recommend calling your local store to find out if they offer notary services.
- Search Google: If you can’t seem to find one at any of these locations, search for local notary publics on Google.
Why Not Become a Notary?
As mentioned above, anyone can become a notary. For example, in Maryland, you can apply with the Maryland Notary Public Division and the fee is $11. However, becoming a notary takes some time to learn and you will need to pay for various supplies, like a record book. A commission lasts four years, so splitting the cost over that time isn’t too bad.
There is a downside though, you can’t notarize your or your family’s own documents. Basically, you can’t notarize anything where you have a vested interest or could benefit from.
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Bottom Line
If you need a document notarized and can’t find where to do it, hopefully this article helped you. There are many places that offer notary services, so search for one of the locations above that is near you.
In addition, we have a list of bank promotions to get some extra cash in your pockets today. You may also want to check out savings accounts if you want to get started on saving up money.
