In our increasingly digitized world, there are still many occasions where only a physical signature will do. From buying a house to executing a will to signing a business contract, important legal documents often require notarization to be valid.
A notary public serves as an official, impartial witness to the signing of documents. Notaries help combat fraud by verifying the identity of the signer and ensuring they are signing under their own free will. Notarization makes a document legally binding and provides an extra layer of protection to signers.
According to the National Notary Association, there are over 4.4 million notary publics in the United States, and demand for notarization is only increasing. A 2020 survey by the NNA found that 55% of notaries reported performing more notarizations compared to previous years.
With millions of documents requiring notarization each year, knowing where to find a notary when you need one is essential. If you live near a Walgreens store, you may be in luck – many Walgreens locations offer low-cost notary services to help make important legal transactions more convenient.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about getting a document notarized at Walgreens, including:
- What types of documents can be notarized at Walgreens
- How to find a Walgreens notary near you
- Step-by-step guide to the Walgreens notarization process
- Cost of notary services at Walgreens
- Other places to get a document notarized
- The future of remote online notarization
Whether you‘re a first-time home buyer, a small business owner, or planning your estate, by the end of this guide you‘ll be prepared to get your important paperwork notarized with confidence.
Does Walgreens Offer Notary Services?
Yes, Walgreens offers notary public services at over 8,000 locations nationwide, making it a convenient choice for getting a document notarized. Walgreens stores are often open late and on weekends, giving you more flexibility to get a document notarized outside of typical business hours.
However, it‘s important to note that while notary services are widely available at Walgreens stores, not every single location will have a notary public on staff. Walgreens notaries can notarize many common legal documents, including:
- Wills and trusts
- Property deeds
- Powers of attorney
- Medical documents
- Contracts and agreements
- Affidavits and sworn statements
- Mortgage paperwork
- Vehicle titles (in some states)
If you have a document not listed above, it‘s best to call your local Walgreens and ask if they can notarize it, as requirements may vary by state and by individual notary.
How to Find a Walgreens Notary Near You
With thousands of locations across all 50 states, Walgreens is the second-largest pharmacy store chain in the U.S., so there‘s a good chance you live near one. But before making a special trip to get a document notarized, you‘ll want to confirm that the Walgreens location nearest you does indeed have a notary available.
You can find a Walgreens notary in your area by:
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Using the online store locator on the Walgreens website. Enter your address or zip code and filter by "Notary" to see a list of nearby stores that offer notary services.
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Checking the store details on the Walgreens mobile app. Stores that have a notary on staff will display a red "Notary" badge under the store name and hours.
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Calling your neighborhood Walgreens store directly to ask if they have a notary and what their hours are. It‘s the most old school approach, but also the best way to confirm notary availability before heading to the store.
Even if the online listing or app indicates that a Walgreens location has a notary, it‘s still a good idea to call ahead to double check. The notary may only be available during certain hours or there could be an unexpected absence, so a phone call can save you from a wasted trip.
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a Document Notarized at Walgreens
Found a Walgreens notary near you? Great! Follow these steps for a smooth notarization process:
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Do not sign your document ahead of time. For the notarization to be valid, you must sign the document in the presence of the notary public. They are witnessing you signing the document to verify your identity and intention.
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Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID to your notary appointment. Acceptable forms of ID include a driver‘s license, passport, or state-issued ID card. Some states have specific ID requirements for notarizations, so call ahead to confirm if needed.
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Bring all parties who need to sign the document to Walgreens, along with their valid IDs. If someone is signing on behalf of another person, additional proof of authority may be required.
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Inform the Walgreens staff that you need notary services and show them your unsigned document and ID. Some stores may require you to complete a short form with contact information.
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Wait for the notary to verify your identity and walk you through the signing process. If you have any questions about the document or the notarization, this is the time to ask.
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Sign the document in the presence of the notary, who will then sign and stamp it as well. If there are multiple signers, all must be physically present and sign at the same time.
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Pay the notarization fee, which typically ranges from $2-15 per signature depending on your state. Walgreens accepts cash, credit, and debit payments.
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Collect your notarized document and store it in a safe place. You may want to make copies, but note that only the original notarized document will be legally valid, not photocopies.
Cost of Notary Services at Walgreens
One of the biggest benefits of getting a document notarized at Walgreens is the affordable pricing. Walgreens charges a flat fee per signature notarized, with the exact amount varying by state.
Each state sets a maximum allowable notary fee, so the price you‘ll pay at Walgreens depends on the state where the notarization is taking place. Fees range from $0.50 per signature on the low end in states like Maine and Nevada, up to $15 per signature on the high end in California.
Here‘s a sampling of maximum notary fees in various states, according to the NNA:
| State | Maximum Fee Per Signature |
|---|---|
| California | $15 |
| Florida | $10 |
| Texas | $6 |
| New York | $2 |
| Illinois | No fee permitted |
While Walgreens has some of the most affordable notary pricing compared to alternatives like shipping stores or banks, $10-15 per signature can still add up quickly, especially if you have multiple documents or signers. A few ways to save money on notary costs include:
- Checking if your bank or credit union offers free notary services for members
- Having all signers present at once to minimize the number of notarizations needed
- Looking for mobile notaries in your area that may offer discounted fees for multiple signatures
- Asking if your employer or school offers free or low-cost notary services
- Traveling to a state with a lower maximum allowable notary fee
Other Places to Get a Document Notarized
While Walgreens is a top choice for convenient, affordable notary services, it‘s certainly not the only option. If you can‘t find a Walgreens notary in your area, or you have more complex notarization needs, consider these alternatives:
- Banks and Credit Unions: Many financial institutions have a notary public on staff and offer free notarizations for customers. It‘s a good perk to ask about when choosing a bank.
- The UPS Store/FedEx Office: These shipping stores offer notary services at most locations, but fees may be on the higher end.
- City/Town Hall: Your local government offices will often have a notary on staff and may offer services for free or at a low cost to residents.
- Libraries: Some public libraries offer notary services, and it‘s usually cheaper than going to a shipping store or business center. Call your local branch to inquire.
- Law Offices: Most law offices have a notary on staff, and will often notarize documents for free if you are a client. If you‘re already working with an attorney, ask if they can notarize a document for you.
Another increasingly popular option is using a mobile notary service. A mobile notary is a notary public who travels to your location to perform notarizations. This can be a convenient choice for those unable to travel to a physical notary location or who need a notarization after business hours.
To find a mobile notary in your area, you can:
- Search for "mobile notary near me" online
- Check local listings or ask for recommendations in community groups
- Use an on-demand notary service app or website, such as NotaryCam or Notarize
Mobile notaries typically charge a trip fee in addition to the notarization fee, so expect to pay a bit more than you would at Walgreens or another physical location. However, the convenience of not having to leave your home or office may be worth the extra cost.
The Future of Remote Online Notarization
An emerging trend in the notary industry is the concept of remote online notarization (RON). With RON, a signer can get a document notarized virtually via secure videoconference, without having to physically appear before a notary.
The signer uploads their document to a RON platform and then must verify their identity, usually by answering knowledge-based security questions and showing a photo ID on camera. Then, the signer and notary have a live video session where the notary watches the signer affix an electronic signature to the document. Finally, the notary adds their own electronic signature and seal to complete the notarization.
As of 2023, 41 states have passed laws allowing remote online notarizations, and more are likely to follow suit in the coming years. However, not all documents can be notarized remotely – many states still require in-person notarization for wills, trusts, and real estate deeds.
Currently, Walgreens does not offer remote online notarization services – all notarizations must be done in person at a physical store location. But as RON becomes more widely adopted, it‘s possible that Walgreens and other retailers may start to offer virtual notary services in addition to in-person options to provide more flexibility for customers.
The Bottom Line
Whether you‘re signing loan documents, filing a patent application, or getting a medical consent form notarized for a loved one, knowing where to find a notary public is essential. With notary services available at most of its 8,000+ locations nationwide, Walgreens is a top choice for convenient, low-cost notarizations.
While not every Walgreens store has a notary on staff, a quick call ahead or online search can help you locate a nearby store that does. Notary fees at Walgreens vary by state but typically range from $2-15 per signature, making it an affordable option compared to many banks and shipping stores.
If you can‘t find a Walgreens notary in your area, there are plenty of other places to get a document notarized, from city government offices to mobile notary services that come directly to you. Many documents can also now be notarized remotely online, although restrictions still apply to certain notarizations.
No matter what you need notarized or how you choose to do it, working with a notary public is a smart way to protect yourself and your most important transactions. With a little planning and research, you can find a notary that fits your budget and schedule to make any document signing a breeze.
