Document notarization is unavoidable, and often strikes fear in the hearts of those who need to get it done, because the process is notoriously arduous, and can get pretty expensive.
So, does UPS notarize documents, and if so, what do you need to know about the process?
Does UPS Notarize In [currentyear]?
The UPS Store does offer notarization for most documents, however, it doesn’t notarize wills or I-9 employment eligibility verification forms in [currentyear]. The UPS Store is a franchise, which means each store is independently owned, which leads to discrepancies in prices/services. To get documents notarized at the UPS Store, you must make an appointment and have a valid ID.
If you’re thinking about using the UPS Store to notarize some documents, or if you’re just curious about how this process works, be sure to check out the rest of the article to learn more!
How Much Does UPS Charge to Notarize?
The UPS Store is a franchise, which means that each location is independently owned and operated.
Because of this, not all prices and services are standardized, so there can be some discrepancies in what can be done, and for how much, depending on the location you’re visiting.
In addition to the fact that prices by UPS location vary, notary fees themselves tend to vary considerably from state to state, or even county to county.
Even more than these variables, how much it costs to notarize a document also depends on how the notary charges.
Some notaries choose to charge per document notarized, whereas some charge per signature.
As a general rule, however, some UPS customers say you can expect to pay around $30 for document notarization services if you walk in without an appointment, and closer to $10-$15 with an appointment.
These prices are only estimates, however, not guaranteed prices!
If you want to find out how much your local UPS Store charges for notary services, the first step is to use the Store Locator page on the UPS Store website, which you can find here.
After you’ve found the store you want to use, you can either call or email them with the contact information provided with the store number, and inquire about the services and pricing.
What Types of Documents Does UPS Notarize?
Notarization is the process of getting a document formally legalized.
This is done by a notary, which is someone who has trained and been accredited with the legal power to formalize documents.
According to the UPS Store website, all UPS Store locations have at least one employee who is able to perform notary services.
Different types of documents that the UPS Store can notarize are as follows:
- Contracts
- Trusts
- Deeds
- Affidavits
While nearly, if not all, UPS Store locations can notarize the above documents, not all locations can notarize wills or I-9 employment eligibility verification forms.
The reason most UPS Stores cannot notarize I-9 forms is because the rules surrounding the notarization of these forms vary drastically from state to state, and can carry extreme penalties if mishandled.
For example, in Texas, notaries are prohibited from affixing their notary seal on I-9 forms because the forms do not contain a notarial certificate.
As well, completing the form is not an authorized duty of a Texas notary.
To read more about the ins and outs of the notarization of I-9 employment eligibility verification forms, you can check out this page of the American Association of Notaries website.
Wills can also be a bit of a grey area, so if you’re looking to get either of these documents notarized, be sure to call or email your UPS Store location ahead of time to see if you can get it done.
All other types of documents, as a general rule, are notarized by UPS Stores.
If you’re interested in reading more about the UPS Store’s notaries, notary services, and how to adequately prepare for a notary appointment, be sure to check out this page of the UPS Store website.
How to Get Documents Notarized at the UPS Store
The UPS Store boasts over 3,900 locations, which means there are plenty of places you can go to get your documents notarized.
The first step to getting your documents notarized at UPS is to locate the store you’d like to use, which you can do using this Store Locator page on the UPS Store website.
After finding the store you plan to visit, you can either call or email the store to verify that it’s able to perform the services you’re looking for, to find out what kind of pricing it offers, and to make an appointment ahead of time.
Once you’re ready to go to your appointment, there are a few things you need to bring with you and/or consider:
- Be sure to bring the document(s) you need notarized
- You will need a valid, government-issued ID for your notary to make your documents official
- Some states/counties require there to be a witness for notarized documents- in some cases, you can be your own witness, but you may need to bring someone else with you or make sure another employee is able to act as your witness.
To find out more, you can also read our posts on whether or not UPS laminates, if UPS gives free boxes, and if you can use poly mailers for UPS.
Conclusion
The UPS Store does offer notary services for most documents, however, only certain (if any) locations will notarize an I-9 employment eligibility verification form or a will.
It’s important to remember that the UPS Store is a franchise, which means that each store is independently owned and operated, which leads to discrepancies in the services it offers and its pricing.
