Free & low-cost notary services in Chicago, IL
Last checked: 2026-10-24
Short answer: Illinois caps most in-person notary fees at $5. Chicago Public Library does not advertise a standing free notary service; some ward offices offer free notary for their residents, and some banks notarize free.
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Hours and staffing change often. Call before you go, and don't sign your document until the notary tells you to.
State fee rules
- Illinois law caps the fee for a non-electronic notarial act at $5 (5 ILCS 312/3-104); electronic notarial acts up to $25. No fee may be charged to notarize the Secretary of State's Homeless Status Certification form.
Where to go
45th Ward Office, 5460 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Ward office (city)
- Cost
- Free
- Who can use it
- Residents (the ward page says 'available to residents'; it does not define whether that means 45th Ward residents only; ask).
- Appointments & hours
- Call 773-853-0799 before stopping by to make sure a notary is available. Office hours Mon-Fri (Thu from 9:30 a.m.) to 4:30 p.m.
- ID & what to bring
- Valid photo ID and the document(s).
Source: Notary Services Available | 45th Ward Office, last checked 2026-10-24
Chicago Public Library
Public library
- Cost
- Unconfirmed
- Who can use it
- Unconfirmed
- Appointments & hours
- We found no current standing notary service on CPL's site (only a past one-day event). Ask a librarian: (312) 747-4300.
- ID & what to bring
- N/A
Source: Services FAQs | Chicago Public Library, last checked 2026-10-24
Cook County Clerk
County clerk
- Cost
- N/A
- Who can use it
- N/A
- Appointments & hours
- The Clerk's business and notary services page covers notary commissions and authentication, not notarizing the public's documents.
- ID & what to bring
- N/A
Source: Business and Notary Services | Cook County Clerk, last checked 2026-10-24
Bank of America financial centers
Bank policy
- Cost
- No fee (per Bank of America)
- Who can use it
- Bank of America's notary page does not say whether non-customers are served. Call the financial center to ask.
- Appointments & hours
- Schedule a financial center appointment; Bank of America says a typical appointment takes about 30 minutes; not every location offers it ('many of our financial centers').
- ID & what to bring
- State-acceptable ID for every signer (e.g., state driver's license or ID card, U.S. passport, U.S. military ID). Bring all pages; don't sign beforehand; bring your own independent witness if one is required.
Source: Notary Services | Bank of America, last checked 2026-10-24
Banks in general (e.g., Chase)
Bank policy
- Cost
- Varies
- Who can use it
- Chase's own guidance says banks may notarize free for account holders, some charge non-customers a fee, and some limit service to customers; availability differs by location. Chase does not publish a specific non-customer policy on that page.
- Appointments & hours
- Call the branch first to confirm a notary is on duty.
- ID & what to bring
- Government-issued ID; accepted IDs vary by state.
Source: What Are Notary Services? | Chase, last checked 2026-10-24
Credit unions
Many credit unions notarize for members, but we have not yet verified a specific credit union's notary policy in this city from its own website. Ask yours, or check before joining.
Can't get there in person? Online notarization
Remote online notarization (a live video session with a commissioned notary) is an option for many documents, usually for a fee. Check first that whoever receives your document accepts an online notarization. [Partner link not yet active]
Disclosure: Free and low-cost in-person options are always listed first. The online notary slot below is a placeholder; if a partner link is ever added it may be an affiliate link that pays us a fee, and it will be labeled. It never changes what we list or recommend.
FAQ
Where can I get a free notary in Chicago?
45th Ward Office, 5460 N. Milwaukee Ave.: Free. Bank of America financial centers: No fee (per Bank of America). Call ahead to confirm.
What ID do I need for a notary in Chicago?
Bring a current government-issued photo ID for every signer, and don't sign the document in advance. Accepted IDs vary by location; see each listing.
How much can a notary charge in IL?
Illinois law caps the fee for a non-electronic notarial act at $5 (5 ILCS 312/3-104); electronic notarial acts up to $25. No fee may be charged to notarize the Secretary of State's Homeless Status Certification form.