Last updated: May 2026
Bank of America provides free notary services to account holders at most branches, but availability varies by location and requires advance confirmation. Non-customers are typically turned away or charged a fee, and certain document types—including wills and some real estate paperwork—are excluded. This article explains how to schedule an appointment, what documents qualify, branch hours and locations, and faster alternatives when the bank can't accommodate your needs.
Does Bank of America Offer Notary Services?
Yes, Bank of America provides notary public services at most of its branches. A notary public is a state-commissioned official who verifies your identity, witnesses your signature, and stamps documents to confirm they're legitimate. Bank of America employs notaries on staff and offers this as a complimentary service to account holders.
The catch? It's not available at every branch, and it's not available to non-customers in most cases. Branch staffing varies, and some locations may not have a commissioned notary on duty on any given day. You'll need to call ahead or schedule an appointment to confirm availability.
Bank of America notary services cover a wide range of standard personal documents — but they won't notarize everything. Certain document types, particularly those with complex legal requirements or involving real estate transactions in some states, may fall outside what branch staff are authorized to handle.
How to Find a Bank of America Notary Near You
Finding a Bank of America notary is straightforward if you know where to look.
Use the Branch Locator: Go to the Bank of America website and use the branch and ATM locator. Filter by "Financial Centers" to find full-service branches where notary staff are most likely to be present.
Call ahead: Search the branch phone number and call to confirm a notary is on duty that day. Don't assume — staff schedules change.
Ask about your account status: Most branches require you to be an active Bank of America account holder. If you're not a customer, you may be turned away.
Check appointment availability: Some branches require a scheduled appointment for notary services. Walk-in availability depends on the location and how busy the branch is.
If you're in a rural area or your nearest branch doesn't have a notary, you'll need to look at alternatives. The notary public directory maintained by the National Notary Association is a useful backup for finding commissioned notaries nearby.
Bank of America Notary Service Hours and Locations
Bank of America notary services are only available during regular branch business hours. Most financial centers are open:
- Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (some locations open until 6:00 PM)
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM at select branches
- Sunday: Closed at most locations
These hours are branch-specific and subject to change. Holiday hours apply, and some branches have reduced Saturday hours or are closed entirely on weekends.
Bank of America operates roughly 3,800 financial centers across the United States. Not all of them are full-service branches with notary staff. ATM-only locations won't have notary services. In our work with clients seeking bank of america notary services, we've found that the biggest frustration isn't the cost—it's the unpredictability of whether a notary will actually be available when you arrive. Stick to searching for "financial centers" rather than generic ATM locations when you need notarization.
What Documents Can Be Notarized at Bank of America?
Bank of America notary services cover most standard personal and business documents. Here's what typically qualifies:
- Affidavits: Sworn written statements used in legal proceedings
- Powers of attorney: Documents authorizing someone to act on your behalf
- Loan documents: Certain mortgage and personal loan paperwork
- Contracts: Business or personal agreements requiring witnessed signatures
- Consent forms: Travel consent letters for minors, medical consent documents
- Acknowledgments: Formal confirmation that a signature is genuine
What Bank of America Won't Notarize
There are notable exclusions. Bank of America notary services generally do not cover:
- Wills and trusts: These require specific legal formalities that branch notaries may not be equipped to handle
- I-9 employment verification forms: These aren't notarized documents
- Documents in foreign languages: Branch notaries typically won't notarize documents they can't read
- Real estate deeds in some states: Depending on state law and branch policy
If your document falls into one of these categories, you'll need a specialized notary or an attorney.
Bank of America Notary Fees and Costs
Bank of America notary services are free for account holders. You pay nothing for the notarization itself.
Non-customers may be charged a fee or turned away entirely — this varies by branch and state. Some states cap notary fees by law, so even if a non-customer fee applies, it's typically modest (often $5–$15 per signature depending on the state).
Notary Fee Comparison
Notary Service Options at a Glance
| Service Type | Cost | Availability | Appointment Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank of America (customers) | Free | Branch hours only | Often required |
| Bank of America (non-customers) | Varies or declined | Branch hours only | Often required |
| UPS Store / FedEx | $5–$15 per signature | Retail hours | Walk-in often OK |
| Mobile notary | $25–$150+ | Flexible | Yes |
| Remote online notary (RON) | $25–$50 | 24/7 in many cases | No |
| Credit unions / other banks | Free–$10 | Branch hours | Varies |
The free cost is the main draw for Bank of America customers. But convenience has limits — you're tied to branch hours and location availability.
How to Schedule a Notary Appointment at Bank of America
Scheduling is the step most people skip, and it's the one that causes the most frustration.
Find your branch: Use the Bank of America financial center locator online or in the mobile app.
Call the branch directly: Ask specifically whether a notary will be available on your preferred date and time. Branch staff can confirm staffing.
Book through the app or website: Bank of America allows appointment scheduling through their website. Select "Notary Services" or "Other Banking Services" when prompted. Not all branches offer online booking for notary appointments, so calling may still be necessary.
Prepare your documents: Bring the unsigned document (notaries must witness the actual signing), your government-issued photo ID, and any additional signers who need to be present.
Arrive on time: Notary appointments are typically short — 15 to 30 minutes. Late arrivals may need to reschedule.
One important note: some Bank of America locations have reduced staffing and may only have a notary available on certain days of the week. Always confirm before you drive over.
Alternatives to Bank of America Notary Services
Bank of America notary services work well for straightforward documents during business hours. But there are plenty of situations where you'll need a different option.
When the Bank Can't Help
Several scenarios push you toward alternatives:
- You're not a Bank of America customer
- You need notarization outside business hours
- Your document type isn't covered (wills, certain real estate documents)
- You need document notarization after car accidents or urgent legal events where same-day service matters
- You're traveling or living outside the U.S. temporarily
Your Main Alternatives
Other banks and credit unions: Most major banks — Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank — offer similar free notary services to their customers. If you bank elsewhere, start there.
UPS Store and FedEx Office: These retail locations offer walk-in notary services at most locations. Fees apply, but no account is needed and hours are often more flexible.
Mobile notary services: A commissioned notary travels to your location. Useful for homebound individuals, real estate closings, or situations requiring multiple signers in one place. Fees are higher — typically $50–$150+ depending on distance and document complexity.
Remote online notary (RON): This is the fastest-growing option. You connect with a commissioned notary via video call, sign electronically, and receive a notarized document digitally — all without leaving your home. As of 2025, remote online notarization is legally authorized in more than 40 U.S. states.
BlueNotary offers RON services that are available around the clock. If you've been searching for a notary public close to me and keep hitting scheduling walls, remote notarization removes the location barrier entirely. You don't need a bank account, you don't need to drive anywhere, and you're not limited to branch hours.
Key Insight: Remote online notarization is legally valid for most document types in most states. For urgent situations — like document notarization after car accidents or last-minute real estate closings — it's often the fastest path to a completed notarized document.
Pennsylvania recently expanded its RON framework, joining a growing list of states that have modernized their notary laws. When I compare the two approaches directly, the pattern is clear: clients who need same-day notarization or have scheduling conflicts almost always benefit more from RON than from waiting for branch availability. If you're in a state that supports RON, there's almost no reason to wait for a bank appointment for standard documents.
Common Questions About Bank of America Notary Services
Can I get documents notarized at Bank of America if I'm not a customer?
Non-customers are generally not eligible for bank of america notary services, though individual branches have some discretion. A few locations may notarize for non-customers and charge a small fee. Call your nearest branch before visiting — showing up without an account and expecting free notarization is likely to end in disappointment.
Does Bank of America notarize wills?
Bank of America notary services typically do not cover wills. Wills have specific legal execution requirements — including witness signatures — that go beyond standard notarization. An estate planning attorney or a notary who specializes in estate documents is the better choice for this type of document.
How long does a notary appointment at Bank of America take?
Most notary appointments take 15 to 30 minutes. Bring all documents ready to sign (unsigned, since the notary must witness the act), your valid photo ID, and any co-signers who need to be present. Missing any of these will require a return visit.
Can I use Bank of America notary services for real estate documents?
Sometimes. Bank of America notary services can handle certain real estate documents, but state laws vary and branch staff aren't always equipped for complex closing paperwork. For a full real estate closing, a title company or closing attorney typically handles notarization as part of their service.
What ID do I need for Bank of America notary services?
You need a current, government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, or U.S. passport all qualify. Expired IDs are not accepted. The notary must verify your identity before witnessing your signature — this is the core function of notarization as a legal process.
Key Takeaways
Bank of America notary services are a solid free option for account holders with standard documents and flexible schedules — but they're not always available, not open evenings or weekends, and won't cover every document type. When the bank can't help, remote online notarization is the fastest alternative.
Notarize your documents online through BlueNotary — legally compliant RON sessions available now, no bank account or branch visit required.
