Searches for a free online notary or an online notary for $10 are common, and it is easy to see why: most notarizations take a few minutes, so it feels like they should cost almost nothing. Here is what online notarization really costs, where free and cheap options actually exist, and what to watch for before you upload your ID anywhere.
Is there a free online notary?
Rarely, and with good reason. A legitimate remote online notarization involves a commissioned notary on a live video call, identity proofing and credential analysis to confirm you are who you say you are, a secure platform, a tamper-evident electronic signature, and an audio-video recording the notary has to store for years. In New York that recording must be kept for at least ten years. Someone pays for all of that.
Where free notarization does exist, it is usually in person:
- Your own bank or credit union, often free for account holders
- Some public libraries
- Your employer, school or union, for members or staff
Call ahead before you go, since many locations only have a notary on certain days.
What about a $10 online notary?
A low headline price is not always the price you pay. When comparing online notary services, check whether the advertised amount covers:
- Each additional seal or notarized signature
- Each additional signer
- Identity verification
- Additional documents in the same session
- A printed or certified copy, if the receiving office needs paper
At NotarEaseNYC, the pricing is published and simple: $25 for the first document, $15 each for documents 2 through 7, and $10 each from the eighth, plus $15 per additional signer. So if you have a stack of documents, every document after the seventh really is $10.
$25 for the first document, 24/7, about 15 minutes, with a live New York notary. Start your online notarization →
What the law allows notaries to charge
States cap notary fees. In New York, an in-person notarial act is capped at $2, and an electronic notary may charge up to $25 per notarial act, inclusive of all costs. Florida also caps online notarial acts at $25. Those caps are a ceiling, not a floor, and a notary can always charge less. For the full breakdown, see how much an online notary costs and how much a notary costs in NY.
How to spot a fake free notary
Be careful with sites that promise free notarization and only ask you to upload your document and a photo of your ID. A real online notarization always includes a live video session where a commissioned notary verifies your identity and watches you sign. Without that, the document is not notarized, and you have handed your ID to a stranger.
Other red flags: no notary name or commission state shown on the finished document, no certificate saying you appeared by communication technology, and anyone calling themselves a notario who offers legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free online notary?
A legitimate remote online notarization almost always costs something, because it requires a commissioned notary, identity verification, a secure platform and a stored recording. Free notarization is more common in person, for example at your own bank or credit union if you are a customer.
Can I find an online notary for $10?
Some services advertise low headline prices, but check what is included. Fees for each additional seal, signer, ID check or document can raise the total. With NotarEaseNYC, documents from the eighth onward in the same session are $10 each.
How much does an online notary cost in New York?
New York allows an electronic notary to charge up to $25 per notarial act, inclusive of all costs. NotarEaseNYC charges $25 for the first document, $15 each for documents 2 through 7 and $10 each from the eighth.
Why does online notarization cost more than a bank notary?
An in-person notarial act in New York is capped at $2, but online sessions involve identity proofing, a secure video platform, an electronic signature and a recording the notary must keep for ten years.
How can I tell if a free online notary is a scam?
A real online notarization always includes a live video call with a commissioned notary who verifies your identity while you sign. A site that only asks you to upload a document and ID, with no live notary, is not performing a notarization.
Where can I get something notarized for free?
Many banks and credit unions notarize free for their customers, and some public libraries, employers and schools offer notary services to members or staff. Call ahead, because availability varies.
Related reading
- How much does an online notary cost?
- How much does a virtual notary cost?
- What is a notary?
- Notario publico is not a notary public
This is general information, not legal advice. NotarEaseNYC is a New York notary practice, not a law firm, and is not affiliated with any state agency. Requirements and fees change; always confirm current rules with your state’s commissioning office.