If you're a member of the public wondering where to get a document notarized, there are several ways to find a qualified Notary Public in your area. Some Notary service providers require you, the customer, to come to their place of business to have something notarized, while mobile Notaries travel to your location. You also have the option of hiring a remote Notary Public to notarize your document online.
The resources below will explain where to find a Notary, and how to choose the right Notary services for your needs.
Where to Find a Notary
Notaries are often available to customers at many businesses offering financial services, automobile title transfers, shipping services, and more.
Here are some of the most common types of businesses where you can find a Notary Public:
- AAA
- Banks
- Law Firms or Law Offices
- Real Estate Firms or Real Estate Offices
- Tax Preparer or Accountant Offices
- Photocopy Shops
- Parcel Shipping Stores
- Auto tag and license service centers
- Colleges and Universities
- Libraries
When considering these options, it's usually a good idea to call ahead to make sure a staff Notary is available. Some companies may also limit their Notary services to customers only.
How to Find a Notary Who Will Travel to You
Depending on your schedule, it may not always be convenient to travel to a business offering in-house notarizations. Many independent Notaries will come to you to notarize a document. Most of these mobile Notaries promote their services on the internet, making it simple to locate them, check their hours, and read their customer reviews from the convenience of your computer or smartphone. Searching for mobile Notaries online is a great way to find someone who can accommodate your schedule and travel to your location.
When you need to get something notarized, try the following online resources to find a Notary near you:
- Notary Public databases
- Service provider directories like Angie's List or Thumbtack
- Classified advertisement websites such as Craigslist
- Local review websites like Yelp
- Local search engines such as Yellow Pages
- Search engines - look for "Notary Public near me"
Hiring a Remote Online Notary
Signers in every state can get documents notarized online through virtual Notary services like NotaryCam,* Notarize, and DocVerify to name a few. These companies connect you, the signer, with commissioned Notaries who are authorized to do remote notarization.
Notaries in the following 43 states have permanent remote notarzation laws: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
If a Notary tells you they are a California, Connecticut, Georgia or South Carolina Notary Public, it’s important to know that they are not allowed to use remote online technology. If you use a platform like the ones mentioned above, they’ll make sure your Notary is good to go.
Not every company or agency will accept notarized documents if you choose not to meet with a Notary face-to-face. To avoid the hassle of having your notarized document rejected, it’s very important that you ask the document recipient if they accept forms completed by a remote online Notary before choosing this option.
*Disclosure: The NNA has a referral agreement with NotaryCam. We may receive compensation if you use the link above to get remote notarization services.