Does the Post Office Notarize? Compare a $20 Online Option
Looking for post office notary services? USPS does not list notarization as a standard Post Office counter service, so you should not assume your local branch can notarize a document. If your document qualifies and the recipient accepts remote online notarization, Notary20 offers a $20 per-document online option.
Does USPS Offer Notary Services?
USPS's official location finder lists postal services such as mailing, P.O. Boxes, money orders, and passport services at participating locations. It does not list a notary-service filter. Notarization should therefore not be assumed to be available as a standard USPS retail service.
Check the official USPS location finder for the facility type, contact details, and published services. A location's postal opening hours do not establish that an independent notary is available there.
Some postal services operate inside privately owned businesses. That business may separately provide notarization through a commissioned notary. Such an arrangement is different from a USPS counter offering notary services nationwide.
Why People Think the Post Office Notarizes Documents
- Post offices verify identity for certain postal transactions.
- Some locations accept passport applications.
- USPS handles certified mail and other official correspondence.
- Private shipping and mailbox stores may offer notarization.
- A postal service counter may operate inside another business.
These services can make a post office seem like a natural place to notarize a document. However, identity verification for a postal transaction and notarization are separate processes.
Is There a Standard USPS Notary Fee?
Because notarization is not listed as a standard USPS counter service, do not expect a nationwide USPS notary fee schedule. If a private business or independent notary near a postal location offers notarization, ask that provider for its fee.
Independent notary prices depend on the provider, applicable state rules, the number of notarial acts or signatures, and any separate services. Mobile visits may involve travel charges. Confirm the total before booking.
How to Check a Local Notary Before You Go
- Confirm whether the location is a USPS Post Office or a private business offering postal services.
- Ask whether a commissioned notary is available to the public.
- Confirm the notary's hours, appointment policy, and accepted payment methods.
- Ask for the total fee and how it is calculated.
- Describe your document type without sharing unnecessary sensitive details.
- Ask about identification, witnesses, and when to sign.
Even at a business that provides notarization, a notary may be available for only part of the day. Confirm the actual appointment or availability before traveling.
Post Office Services vs. Independent and Online Notaries
| Feature | USPS Post Office | Independent In-Person Notary | Notary20 Online Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notarization availability | Not listed as a standard counter service | Confirm with the specific provider | Subject to document and signer eligibility |
| Price | No standard USPS notary fee to quote | Varies by provider, applicable rules, and services | $20 per eligible document |
| Travel | A postal visit does not ensure access to a notary | Visit the notary or arrange a mobile appointment | No trip to a notary office |
| Appearance | Postal identity checks are separate from notarization | Appear before the commissioned notary | Complete the required live audio-video appearance and identity verification |
| Document format | No standard notarized-document service | Often a paper document | An electronically notarized PDF |
| Before starting | Check published postal services | Confirm ID, fees, witnesses, and document requirements | Confirm eligibility and recipient acceptance of remote notarization and the PDF |
Other Places to Look for Notary Services
- Banks and credit unions: Ask about customer eligibility, document restrictions, appointments, and fees.
- Shipping and mailbox stores: Confirm whether a notary works at the specific location.
- Libraries: Ask whether the branch offers public notarization and when staff are available.
- Law offices and title companies: Ask whether they assist with your document and serve outside customers.
- Mobile notaries: Confirm the notarial fee and any travel charges.
- Online notaries: Confirm document eligibility, identity-verification requirements, and recipient acceptance.
A business name or location category does not guarantee notary availability. Contact the actual provider before making a trip or paying.
What to Prepare for Notarization
- The complete document, including all referenced attachments.
- Acceptable government-issued photo identification.
- Instructions from the receiving organization.
- Any required witnesses who meet the applicable requirements.
- Payment for the confirmed service.
- For online notarization, a camera, microphone, and stable internet connection.
Complete the substantive fields and leave the notary's certificate, signature, and seal areas for the notary. Follow instructions about when to sign. A jurat involves the required oath or affirmation and signing process; an acknowledgment may concern a signature already made. If unsure, ask before signing.
Does the Post Office Notarize USPS Form 1583?
Do not assume a USPS retail counter will notarize Form 1583. This form is used for mail delivery through a commercial mail receiving agency, such as a private mailbox provider. Its verification process is separate from ordinary Post Office counter services.
USPS rules provide for the applicant to sign or confirm a signature before an authorized mailbox-provider representative, or acknowledge the signature before a domestically commissioned notary. The permitted appearance may be physical or virtual through real-time audio and video. Follow your mailbox provider's process and confirm its requirements before ordering notarization.
Review the USPS Domestic Mail Manual, section 508.1.8.3 and the official USPS Form 1583. For Notary20's related service information, visit our USPS Form 1583 notarization page.
When a $20 Online Notary May Be Convenient
Online notarization may be convenient when you want to avoid traveling to an office and your recipient accepts an electronic notarization. The signer completes the required identity verification and live audio-video appearance, signs or acknowledges as instructed, and receives an electronically notarized document.
Notary20 offers eligible online notarization for $20 per document. Confirm document eligibility, signer requirements, and the receiving organization's acceptance before proceeding.
Compare Online Notary Costs
For a broader pricing comparison, read our Online Notary Cost Guide. Learn how to compare quoted fees and Notary20's $20 per-document option for eligible online notarization.
Start Your Online Notarization
If your document is eligible and the recipient accepts remote online notarization, submit your document and requested identification to Notary20 for review. Follow the instructions for the required appearance, identity verification, and signing process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every Post Office have a notary?
No. USPS does not list notarization as a standard Post Office counter service. Use a confirmed notary provider instead of assuming a postal branch can help.
How much does a Post Office charge for notarization?
There is no standard USPS counter notarization price to quote. A separate private business or independent notary sets its own fees subject to applicable rules. Notary20's eligible online option is $20 per document.
Can a USPS employee notarize my document?
USPS employment alone does not confer notarial authority. Do not assume a postal employee provides notarization. Any separate service would need to be performed by a properly commissioned notary acting under applicable rules.
Are private postal stores the same as USPS Post Offices?
No. Private shipping or mailbox businesses may offer their own services, including notarization. Some approved postal providers operate inside existing businesses. Confirm who operates the location and which services it actually provides.
Do I always need a notary for USPS Form 1583?
Not necessarily. USPS rules also provide a verification route through an authorized commercial mailbox-provider representative. Ask your provider which process it uses and what identification and appearance it requires.
Can I use an online notary instead of visiting a store?
Yes, when the document and signer qualify and the recipient accepts remote online notarization and the resulting electronic document. Confirm those requirements before paying.
Does uploading my document and ID complete the notarization?
No. Uploading materials is a preparation step. You must complete the required appearance, identity verification, and notarial act. Follow the notary's live-session instructions.