You're standing at the counter, a thick stack of papers in your hand, and the line behind you is getting longer. You just need a quick stamp. But when the clerk finally looks up, the first question on your mind isn't about the ink—it's about your wallet.
Honestly, figuring out the answer to how much does ups charge for notary services feels like trying to solve a puzzle where the pieces change shape depending on which city you're in. People often assume there is one flat "UPS price" for a notary.
That is totally wrong.
The Reality of UPS Notary Pricing
The UPS Store isn't a single giant entity with one price list. It is a franchise network. This means the guy running the shop in downtown Chicago can technically charge differently than the woman running the store in rural Georgia, though they both have to play by the rules of their specific state.
Generally, you are looking at a range of $5 to $30 per appointment, but most individuals pay somewhere between $10 and $15 per signature.
Wait, did you catch that?
Per signature.
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If you have a document that requires three different signatures to be notarized, you aren't paying one fee. You're paying three. This is where most people get blindsided at the register. They see a sign that says "$10 for Notary" and assume that covers the whole packet. Nope. If you and your spouse are both signing a deed, that is often two separate acts, meaning two fees.
Why the Price Changes When You Cross State Lines
The biggest factor in how much does ups charge for notary is actually state law, not UPS corporate policy. Most states have a "maximum fee" that a notary public is allowed to charge by law.
A UPS Store will almost always charge the absolute maximum allowed by the state.
- In California, the maximum fee is $15 per signature. If you walk into a UPS in Los Angeles, expect to pay exactly $15.
- In Florida, the state cap is $10.
- In New York, it is actually quite low at $2 per person for typical acknowledgments, though many retail stores add "clerical fees" or "service fees" where legal to do so.
- Texas allows $10 for the first signature and a smaller fee for subsequent ones.
Some states like Iowa or Kansas don't actually set a maximum fee. In those places, the store can basically charge what the market will bear. Usually, they keep it around $10 to $15 to stay competitive with local banks or mobile notaries, but it's the Wild West out there.
The "Hidden" Costs of a UPS Visit
It isn't just the stamp.
You might get hit with a "witness fee." Some documents, like a Last Will and Testament or certain real estate forms, require witnesses to watch you sign. If you didn't bring your own friends to stand around the UPS counter, the store might provide employees to act as witnesses.
They don't do this for free.
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I've seen stores charge an extra $5 to $10 per witness. Suddenly, your $10 "cheap" notarization has ballooned into a $30 transaction because you needed two witnesses and a stamp.
Then there is the appointment fee. While many UPS stores allow walk-ins, some now encourage or require appointments through their online portal. Depending on the location, there might be a small "convenience fee" for booking a specific time slot, though this is less common than the per-signature charge.
Is UPS Actually the Cheapest Option?
Kinda, but not always.
If you just have one single page—like a DMV form or a simple affidavit—UPS is hard to beat for convenience. But if you have a massive "closing package" for a house with 20 signatures? You might be better off hiring a mobile notary or looking for a flat-rate service.
Let's look at the alternatives:
- Your Bank: Many banks (like Chase or Bank of America) provide notary services for free to their account holders. If you have an account, call them first. You could save $15 just by driving three blocks further.
- Credit Unions: Almost always free for members.
- AAA: If you're a member, some branches offer free or discounted notary acts.
- Online Notaries: Services like Notarize or BlueNotary often charge a flat $25 to $30. It sounds more expensive, but you don't have to leave your couch, and they don't charge "per signature" in the same aggressive way some retail shops do.
What You Need to Bring (To Avoid Wasting Money)
There is nothing worse than paying for parking, waiting in line, and then being told you can't get the notarization done. The UPS clerk isn't a lawyer. They can't give you legal advice. If your document is missing a "notarial block" (that specific paragraph that the notary fills out), some UPS employees will refuse to touch it because they aren't allowed to choose the form for you.
To make sure your money is well spent, bring:
- A valid Government-Issued Photo ID: This is non-negotiable. Driver’s license or passport. No, your Costco card doesn't count.
- The entire document: Don't just bring the signature page. The notary needs to see the whole context, even if they only sign the last page.
- Unsigned documents: DO NOT SIGN IT BEFORE YOU GET THERE. If you sign it at home, the notary can't "verify" that you were the one who did it. You’ll have to print a fresh copy and sign it again in front of them.
- All signers: If the document requires your sister's signature too, she has to be there.
The "I-9" Headache
Here is a weird quirk: many UPS stores will refuse to notarize an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form.
Technically, the I-9 doesn't even require a notary stamp; it requires an "Authorized Representative." Because there is no official seal involved, many UPS notaries are told by their franchise owners to stay away from them to avoid liability. If that's what you need, call ahead. Don't just show up and assume.
A Note on "Administrative Fees"
Recently, some retail shipping centers have started separating the "Notary Fee" from the "Service Fee."
Because state law might cap the notary fee at $5, the store might charge a $5 notary fee plus a $10 "administrative processing fee." It feels like a loophole, and honestly, it is. They are charging for the time, the space, and the insurance they have to carry. If you see a price higher than your state’s legal limit, that's usually why.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Notary Visit
Before you head out to find how much does ups charge for notary services in your neighborhood, do these three things:
- Call the specific store: Ask "What is your fee per signature?" and "Do you have a notary on staff right now?" Notaries are employees, and if the one person with the license is on a lunch break, you're out of luck.
- Check your bank's app: See if they offer free notary services for members. It takes two seconds and can save you the cost of a lunch.
- Total your signatures: Count how many times the notary has to stamp the document. Multiply that by your state's maximum fee (usually $10-$15). That is your baseline budget.
If you have more than five signatures, it is almost always worth it to compare the cost of a UPS visit against an online notary service or a mobile notary who might give you a flat "package" rate.
For most people, UPS is the "good enough" solution. It’s reliable, they have the right pens, and they can even mail the document for you immediately after it’s stamped. Just don't go in expecting a $2 transaction if you're bringing a mountain of paperwork.