What The UPS Store notary service does

The UPS Store is a private business that offers notary services at many of its locations across the United States. A notary public employed by or contracted through The UPS Store can witness your signature, verify your identity, and place an official seal on documents. This is not a government service — The UPS Store is a for-profit company, and you pay a fee for each notarization.

Not every UPS Store location has a notary on staff. Availability depends on the individual store, the time of day, and whether the notary is present that day. You can call ahead or check The UPS Store website to find notary services near you and confirm hours before you visit.

The UPS Store notary can notarize most common documents: powers of attorney, affidavits, loan documents, real estate papers, and signature verifications. Some documents — particularly those involving real property or certain legal proceedings — may have specific requirements about who can notarize them. Your document may specify that a notary public must perform the work, or it may require a notary with particular credentials.

Key Takeaways

  • The UPS Store notary service is available at select locations only, so you must call or search online to find a participating store near you.
  • You will need to bring a government-issued photo ID and the original document you want notarized — photocopies cannot be notarized.
  • The notary will charge a fee per signature or per document, which varies by location but typically ranges from a few dollars to around twenty dollars.
  • The notary will witness your signature in person, verify your identity, and affix an official seal and signature to the document.
  • Some documents have legal requirements about who can notarize them, so you should check your document's instructions before visiting.

What you need to bring to The UPS Store

Bring the original, unsigned document you need notarized. The notary cannot notarize a photocopy, fax, or digital copy — the document must be the actual paper original. If you have already signed the document, the notary cannot notarize it; the signature must happen in front of the notary.

Bring a government-issued photo ID. The notary will examine your ID to verify your identity before notarizing. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. The ID must be current or recently expired — the exact rules vary by state, but most notaries will accept an ID that expired within the last few years.

Bring any other documents the notarized paper requires. For example, if you are having a power of attorney notarized, you may need to bring additional paperwork that proves your authority or relationship to the person granting the power. Check your document's instructions or call The UPS Store location ahead of time to ask what else you should bring.

How much The UPS Store notary service costs

The UPS Store charges a fee for notary services, but the amount is not set by a national policy — each location sets its own price. Fees typically range from three dollars to twenty dollars per signature or per document, depending on the store's location and local market rates.

Some UPS Store locations charge per signature, meaning if a document has two signatures that need notarizing, you pay twice. Others charge per document, so one fee covers all signatures on that single paper. Call the store where you plan to go and ask how they charge before you visit.

The UPS Store accepts cash and card payments. If you plan to pay by card, confirm that the location accepts your payment method when you call.

How to find a UPS Store notary near you

Visit the UPS Store website and use the store locator tool. Enter your address or zip code, and the results will show which nearby locations offer notary services. Not all UPS Store locations have a notary, so the locator will filter for stores that do.

Call the store directly to confirm the notary is available. A notary may be on staff but out to lunch, in a meeting, or off that day. Calling ahead prevents a wasted trip. Ask about wait times, especially during busy hours like lunch or late afternoon.

Ask about hours when you call. Some notaries work only certain days or times, and some stores may have a notary available only by appointment. A few locations may require you to book a time slot in advance.

What happens during the notarization

You will meet with the notary at The UPS Store. The notary will ask you to present your government-issued photo ID and will examine it to confirm your identity. The notary will also ask you to confirm that you are signing the document of your own free will and that you understand what you are signing.

You will sign the document in front of the notary. The notary will then sign the document, write the date, and affix the official notary seal. The notary may also write their notary number and the location where the notarization took place. The entire process usually takes five to ten minutes per document.

You will receive the notarized original document. Keep it in a safe place. Some organizations may ask for a certified copy later, which you can obtain from The UPS Store or from a courthouse, depending on the document type.

When The UPS Store notary cannot help

The UPS Store notary cannot notarize a document if you do not have a government-issued photo ID. The notary must verify your identity, and a photo ID is the standard way to do this. If your ID is lost or expired beyond what your state allows, you will need to obtain a new ID first or find a different notary who accepts alternative forms of identification.

The UPS Store notary cannot notarize a document you have already signed. The signature must occur in front of the notary. If you have already signed, you will need a blank copy of the document or you may need to cross out the old signature and initial the change, depending on what the document allows.

Some documents have legal restrictions on who can notarize them. For example, a few states do not allow a notary to notarize a document if the notary has a financial interest in the transaction, or if the notary is related to one of the parties. If your document involves real estate, a loan, or a legal proceeding, check whether it has special notary requirements before you visit.

The UPS Store notary is a private notary, not a court notary. If your document requires a court-appointed notary or a notary with specific credentials (such as a certified signing agent for real estate closings), The UPS Store may not be the right choice. Ask the organization requesting the notarization whether any special credentials are needed.

Alternatives to The UPS Store notary

Many banks and credit unions offer notary services to their customers, often at no charge. Call your bank and ask whether a notary is available and whether you need to be a customer to use the service.

Your county courthouse or clerk's office employs notaries and can notarize documents. Hours and fees vary by county. Some courthouses charge a small fee per signature; others notarize for free. Call your local courthouse to ask about hours and whether you need an appointment.

Law offices and title companies employ notaries. If you are working with a lawyer or title company on a transaction, ask whether they can notarize your document as part of that work.

Some pharmacies, including CVS and Walgreens, have notaries on staff at select locations. Call ahead to confirm availability, as not all stores offer this service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an appointment at The UPS Store for notary services?

Most UPS Store locations accept walk-ins for notary services, but some require an appointment. Call the store where you plan to go and ask. If you have a time-sensitive document, booking ahead ensures the notary will be available when you arrive.

Can The UPS Store notarize documents for other states?

Yes. A notary public in one state can notarize documents for use in another state. The notary's seal and signature are recognized across state lines. However, some documents may have specific requirements about where the notarization must take place, so check your document's instructions.

What if I need a certified copy of a notarized document?

The UPS Store can make a photocopy of your notarized document, but that copy is not certified. A certified copy must come from the organization that holds the original or from a courthouse. Ask the person or organization requesting the document whether they need a certified copy or whether a photocopy of the notarized original is acceptable.

Can The UPS Store notarize a document I sign electronically?

No. The notary must witness your signature in person on a physical document. Electronic signatures cannot be notarized at The UPS Store. If your document is digital, you will need to print it, sign it by hand, and bring the paper original to the notary.

What if the notary at The UPS Store refuses to notarize my document?

A notary can refuse to notarize a document if they believe something is wrong — for example, if they suspect fraud, if you do not have proper ID, or if the document has legal restrictions on who can notarize it. If this happens, ask the notary to explain why. You can then seek a notary elsewhere or address the issue with the document itself.