We may earn a commission for purchases through links on our site, Learn more.
Bank of America offers notary services, but they’re limited to specific locations. These services are exclusively for Bank of America customers and are provided by appointment only. It’s important to note that this service is offered for free in locations where it’s available.
How notarization works
Notarization is a straightforward process where you show a document to a notary public and sign it in their presence. The notary then officially notarizes the document by using a stamp, adding the date, and signing it themselves. They may ask for a photo ID to confirm your identity and ensure you understand what you’re signing.
Common documents that undergo notarization include sworn statements, powers of attorney, deeds of trust, rental agreements, copy certifications, beneficiary designations for retirement accounts, promissory notes, and motor vehicle bills of sale.
Finding a Bank of America notary near you
To easily locate a Bank of America notary nearby, start by visiting the bank’s notary services webpage. There, you’ll find an option to “Schedule an appointment.” Clicking on this allows you to input your city, state, or zip code. The tool generates a list of the closest branches.
Once you’ve selected a branch, a calendar will pop up, letting you pick a date and time that suits your schedule. Keep in mind, that it’s a good idea to plan ahead as slots might fill up quickly depending on the branch’s operating hours and availability. Remember, not every branch provides notary services, so it’s important to reach out directly to the branch to double-check.
Types of notarization
There are different types of notarization:
- Signature Witnessing: The notary verifies your identity and watches you sign the document.
- Acknowledgment: Used for documents related to ownership (like property deeds or trusts). You declare in person that the signature on the document is yours, you meant to sign it, and you agree with its content.
- Copy Certification: The notary makes a copy of an original document and confirms it’s a true and complete replica. This is often needed for documents like degrees, passports, or licenses.
- Jurat: Used for legal documents like affidavits. You sign the document and affirm its truthfulness under oath.
Does Bank of America notarize all documents?
Not every document can be notarized by Bank of America. For them to notarize a document, certain conditions must be met:
- Presence of Signers and Witnesses: All necessary signers and witnesses (if required) must be physically present before the notary.
- Valid Identification: Signers need to bring valid IDs. If they don’t have proper identification, Bank of America won’t notarize the document.
- Completeness of the Document: The document should be complete without any blank spaces or missing pages that might raise suspicion.
- Preventing Future Alterations: The notary must feel confident that the signers won’t make changes to the document after it’s notarized.
- Notarial Certificate: The document must include a notarial certificate for Bank of America to proceed with notarization.
If any of these conditions aren’t met, Bank of America won’t notarize the document.
Does every Bank of America branch have a notary?
Not every Bank of America branch offers notary services. If you’re a client and need a notary, it’s best to call your local branch beforehand to confirm if they provide this service.
Preparing for your Bank of America notary service
Before scheduling your appointment for notarization services at Bank of America, it’s crucial to adhere to these guidelines to ensure a smooth process:
- Avoid Pre-Signing or Dating: Refrain from signing or dating your document prior to the scheduled appointment with the notary. This allows for the notary to witness your signature firsthand.
- Complete Document Pages: Remember to bring all pages of your document, not just the page needing the signature. This ensures that the notary can properly verify and seal all necessary sections.
- Required Identification: Bring valid identification, such as a U.S. military ID, state-issued driver’s license, state-issued ID card, government-issued ID, U.S. passport (issued by the U.S. Department of State), green card, foreign passport, or a driver’s license from Mexico or Canada (note: acceptance may vary by state). Proper identification helps verify your identity during the notarization process.
- Witness Requirement: If your document mandates a witness, ensure you have one present during the appointment. A witness plays a crucial role in validating certain documents and signatures as required by law.
By following these guidelines, you can streamline the notarization process and prevent any potential hiccups or delays.
How to schedule a Bank of America notary appointment
To set up a notary appointment with Bank of America, start by going to their Notary Services page online. From there:
- Scroll down and select “Schedule an Appointment.”
- Enter either your ZIP code or your city and state.
- Click “Find Locations” to see the nearest branches.
- Once you find the closest branch, choose “Select This Location.”
- Choose a suitable date and time for your appointment.
- Click “Next.”
- Complete the form with your banking and personal information.
- Follow the prompts to confirm your appointment.
This process allows you to secure a scheduled notary appointment at a Bank of America branch conveniently through their online system.
Does Bank of America offer free notary services?
Bank of America provides notary services at no cost for their clients. This means that if you’re a customer of Bank of America, you can access their notary services without having to pay any fees.
How does Bank of America notarize?
Bank of America offers notarization through an in-person process, which means you have to visit the bank for the service. Here’s a breakdown of what happens:
- Presence of Signers and Witnesses: Everyone who needs to sign and any required witnesses must be physically present.
- Document Examination: The notary examines the documents to ensure they meet the necessary requirements.
- Verification of Identity: You’ll need to provide identification and answer a few questions for the notary to confirm your identity.
- Testifying to Document’s Truth: You’ll affirm that the content of the document is truthful and confirm that you’re signing it voluntarily.
- Notary’s Actions: The notary then completes the notarial certificate, signs it, affixes a seal, and records the notarization in their journal for documentation purposes.
Where else can I go to notarize a document?
If you need a document notarized and don’t want to go to a bank like Bank of America or Wells Fargo, there are other options available. Here are places where you might find a notary:
- Public Places:
- Car dealerships
- AAA stores
- Public libraries
- Courthouses
- United Parcel Service (UPS)
- Police departments
- Hotels
- Money transfer stores
- Professional Services:
- Accountant offices
- Law offices
- Real estate agents
- Insurance agents
- Tax preparation firms
- Retail Locations:
- Credit unions
- Office supply stores
You can also search online using websites that list notaries available in your area. Here are some websites where you can look up notaries:
The bottom line
Bank of America offers notary services, but they’re available only by appointment at specific branches. These services are provided during regular bank hours, typically from Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. To use their notary service, you’ll need at least one valid government-issued photo ID.
For Bank of America customers, this service is free, but non-customers cannot access it; the bank exclusively provides notary services to its customers. Making an appointment is necessary, and you can call your nearest Bank of America branch to schedule one.
Bank of America’s notary services cover various documents needed for loans, like mortgages, home equity lines, auto loans, business loans, and forms related to investment and wealth management. However, there are specific documents they won’t notarize, such as those with blank spaces prone to fraud, government documents with errors, and government forms not meeting notary law guidelines.