{
 "slug": "boston",
 "city": "Boston",
 "state": "MA",
 "last_checked": "2026-10-24",
 "summary": "Boston Public Library offers free notary drop-in hours at the Central Library and select branches, and the City Clerk notarizes walk-ins at City Hall for $5 per document.",
 "state_rules": [
  "Massachusetts has no general statutory cap on ordinary notary fees (Mass.gov summary of notary law); ask the price before you go. Confirm with the Secretary of the Commonwealth if unsure."
 ],
 "options": [
  {
   "type": "Public library",
   "name": "Boston Public Library: Central Library (Copley Square), Jamaica Plain, Brighton, Codman Square",
   "cost": "Free",
   "who": "Open to the public.",
   "appt": "Drop-in hours at Central (Washington Room / Kirstein Business Library), Jamaica Plain (Wednesdays 4-5:30 p.m. per BPL's event listing), and Brighton; check BPL's calendar for dates. Codman Square is by appointment: 617-436-8214. BPL won't notarize outside drop-in hours and may limit to 5 stamps per person when busy.",
   "id": "Current government-issued photo ID (state ID, driver's license, passport) matching the name on the document; every signer present. BPL does not provide witnesses. English-language documents only. Don't sign before the notary tells you to.",
   "src": "bpl"
  },
  {
   "type": "City clerk",
   "name": "Boston City Clerk's Office, City Hall (Room 601)",
   "cost": "$5 per document",
   "who": "Walk-ins; no appointment.",
   "appt": "No appointment. The Clerk's page lists 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; BPL's page lists 8-5 Mon-Fri. Go before 4:30 or call 311 to confirm.",
   "id": "Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport). All signers present; don't sign or date beforehand. Bring your own witness if needed (with photo ID). Will not notarize vital records or prenuptial agreements.",
   "src": "clerk"
  },
  {
   "type": "Bank policy",
   "name": "Bank of America financial centers",
   "cost": "No fee (per Bank of America)",
   "who": "Bank of America's notary page does not say whether non-customers are served. Call the financial center to ask.",
   "appt": "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": "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.",
   "src": "boa"
  },
  {
   "type": "Bank policy",
   "name": "Banks in general (e.g., Chase)",
   "cost": "Varies",
   "who": "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.",
   "appt": "Call the branch first to confirm a notary is on duty.",
   "id": "Government-issued ID; accepted IDs vary by state.",
   "src": "chase"
  }
 ],
 "sources": {
  "bpl": {
   "title": "Notary Public Services | Boston Public Library",
   "url": "https://www.bpl.org/notary-services/"
  },
  "bplev": {
   "title": "Drop-In Notary Service Hours (Jamaica Plain) | BPL events",
   "url": "https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/6a2c22848d1b82ca9f797eab"
  },
  "clerk": {
   "title": "Notarizing Documents in the City Clerk's Office | Boston.gov",
   "url": "https://www.boston.gov/departments/city-clerk/notarizing-documents-city-clerks-office"
  },
  "ma": {
   "title": "Massachusetts law about notaries public | Mass.gov",
   "url": "https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-notaries-public"
  },
  "boa": {
   "title": "Notary Services | Bank of America",
   "url": "https://www.bankofamerica.com/signature-services/notary/"
  },
  "chase": {
   "title": "What Are Notary Services? | Chase",
   "url": "https://www.chase.com/personal/banking/education/basics/what-are-notary-services"
  }
 },
 "url": "https://notarywhere.com/cities/boston/",
 "site": "Notary Where",
 "disclaimer": "Summarized from the official sources listed; rules change, confirm with the source before acting."
}