Does Usps Notarize Documents In 2022? (Try This Instead)

Notarizing an agreement is the formal procedure of having the action witnessed and attested by third parties.

These could include car title transfers or custody agreements. One thing is for sure, finding a notary when you’re busy or in a hurry can be a hassle.

This might lead you to wonder: Is USPS authorized to notarize? It would make it easy to find a location in almost every city. Here’s what you need to know.

Is the USPS able to notarize in 2022?

Unfortunately, United States Postal Service does not notarize documents as of 2022. USPS, as a federal entity, is not able to provide notarization services. These are performed at the state level. Instead, the USPS can be visited by interested parties at any one of the many local notaries.

To learn more about why USPS doesn’t notarize, where you can find notarization services, how much those might cost you and whether you can notarize documents online, keep reading!

What is the USPS’s reason for notarizing?

Let’s first look at what notarization actually is before we discuss why the USPS does not not notarize.

According to National Notary Association: Notarization is an official fraud-deterrent process which assures that all parties are able to trust a document.

As NNA states, there are three parts to the notarization process: vetting, certifying, and keeping records.

It includes verifying that all persons are who they claim to be (with identifications), and that documents are genuine and signed with agreement by all.

The document serves as an official record and can be presented to the court for future reference.

To regulate laws regarding notarization in each state, there is a separate commissioning authority.

This brings us to why USPS does not provide notary services.

As I mentioned, notaries are overseen on a state basis; the Postal Service is part of the Executive Branch of government, just like the Office of the President.

In the case of the USPS federal and state governments are not set up for this interaction.

Some mistakenly think that USPS is notarized. According to my research this may be due to notaries setting up shop in the exact same building that the Postal Service.

Some of these services might be offered by the USPS, which may allow them to offer customers convenient and adjacent services.

It’s clear why there is a connection between the two offices. People often visit the notary before sending off documents to the post office.

But any notary employee with whom you might interact is not a USPS employee, and the notary is not owned by USPS.

Are You Looking for Notary Services instead of USPS?

So you can’t get your documents notarized at the post office. You don’t know where to go?

Numerous places offer notarization starting at small offices in the local area.

Alternatively, you might prefer to try a bank, including big names like Wells Fargo and Bank of America (check your nearby locations for availability and to make an appointment).

Other options include libraries, AAA offices and universities.

Perhaps the easiest option, if notary services are needed at USPS then you could get documents notarized in UPS.

How much does UPS cost to notarize your documents?

UPS (or the United Parcel Service) offers notarization at over 3,900 locations throughout the U.S.

The prices for these notarization services are partially set by each individual state – as you can see on the chart here, some states charge $2 maximum per signature.

Florida is one example of a state that may have a $10 fee for each signed document. Some allow notaries total freedom over the setting of their prices.

You can also check the maximum cost for your specific state to have your document notarized at UPS.

However, you should consider which type of document is being created.

UPS can notarize Wills and Trusts as well as Deeds, Contracts, Agreements, and Affidavits. These documents could all require multiple signatures.

If you have questions, you can go into UPS or give them a call before setting your appointment.

Can you notarize online?

While the Postal Service offers many tools online, they do not offer notarization.

Online notaries are being offered by some businesses. These companies connect you to Remote Notaries Public and walk you through all the steps at an affordable price.

OneNotary.us is one option. DoNotPay.com offers another. Before you hand over your credit cards number to any site, be sure to do your homework.

Find out more about USPS signature requirements, delivery to PO boxes by USPS, as well as whether USPS forwards IRS and government mail.

Conclusion

USPS does NOT notarize. It is a federal institution and therefore notaries function state-by–state.

You have many choices for receiving notary services.

.Does Usps Notarize Documents In 2022? (Try This Instead)