Looking for a notary in Allentown, PA? You've got more options than you might think. Allentown is the third-largest city in Pennsylvania โ Lehigh County's seat and a regional hub โ which means notary services are widely available across the city and surrounding Lehigh Valley area.
Here's where to find notary services in Allentown without much hassle:
Most major banks offer free notary services to account holders. In Allentown, that includes branches of TD Bank, Chase, BB&T (now Truist), Wells Fargo, and local credit unions like Citadel Federal Credit Union and Members 1st. Call ahead โ not every branch has a notary on duty every day, and some require an appointment.
Several UPS Store locations in the Allentown area offer notary services for a per-signature fee. No appointment usually needed during business hours. FedEx Office stores similarly offer notarization in many locations. These are convenient if you need something notarized quickly without a bank account relationship.
Many law offices in Allentown โ particularly those handling real estate, estate planning, or business law โ have a notary on staff. If you're getting a legal document notarized anyway, this is often the most logical option. Note that lawyers typically charge for their time, so this isn't the cheapest route for a simple signature.
The Allentown Public Library sometimes offers notary services. Hours and availability vary โ call ahead to confirm. This is often a free or low-cost option for residents.
AAA offices often provide notary services to members at no charge. If you're a AAA member in the Allentown area, this is worth checking.
A mobile notary travels to you โ your home, office, hospital, or wherever the document needs to be signed. This is particularly useful for:
Mobile notaries in the Allentown/Lehigh Valley area typically charge a base fee of $25โ$75 plus a per-signature fee and mileage. Search NNA (National Notary Association) or Notary Rotary to find vetted mobile notaries in the 18101โ18109 zip codes.
Pennsylvania notaries can perform several official functions โ it's not just signatures on documents. PA notaries can:
What they can't do: a PA notary cannot certify that documents are legally valid, advise on legal matters, or certify copies of documents that government agencies must certify themselves (like birth certificates or court records).
Pennsylvania was an early adopter of Remote Online Notarization. Since 2020, PA notaries who complete additional training and use approved technology platforms can notarize documents for signers anywhere โ no in-person meeting required.
For Allentown residents, this opens up a lot of options. You can get documents notarized via video call from the convenience of your home. Platforms like Notarize.com, PandaDoc Notary, and others connect you with RON-certified notaries on demand, often 24/7.
One important note: not every document type is eligible for RON. Real estate documents in Pennsylvania generally are now, but check with your specific transaction parties (lender, title company, etc.) to confirm they accept RON notarizations before proceeding.
Many people who search for notary services in Allentown are actually considering becoming one themselves โ for a side income or as a value-add to their professional role. The PA notary process is fairly straightforward:
Pennsylvania requires notary applicants to:
PA notary study guides can help you prepare for the exam. The test covers Pennsylvania notary law, proper notarial procedures, and record-keeping requirements. It's not particularly difficult if you study โ most candidates who prepare pass on the first attempt.
If you want to perform Remote Online Notarizations, there's additional training and technology approval required beyond the base commission.
Pennsylvania law sets maximum fees that notaries can charge:
Banks that offer free notary services to customers are waiving these fees as a courtesy. Mobile notaries typically charge a travel fee on top of the standard signature fees. Remote online notarizations have their own pricing set by the platform.