{
 "slug": "philadelphia",
 "city": "Philadelphia",
 "state": "PA",
 "last_checked": "2026-10-24",
 "summary": "Pennsylvania sets maximum notary fees (generally $5 per act). We could not confirm a free notary service at the Free Library of Philadelphia or a City office; banks are the most reliable free option for customers.",
 "state_rules": [
  "Pennsylvania Department of State maximum fees: $5 to take an acknowledgment (first name), $2 per additional name; $5 per oath/affirmation, verification, witnessed signature, or certified copy. Electronic and remote notaries may charge additional amounts; see the Department's page."
 ],
 "options": [
  {
   "type": "Public library",
   "name": "Free Library of Philadelphia",
   "cost": "Unconfirmed",
   "who": "Unconfirmed",
   "appt": "The Parkway Central Library page does not list notary service. Call 1-833-825-5357 to ask about any branch.",
   "id": "N/A",
   "src": "flp"
  },
  {
   "type": "City office",
   "name": "City of Philadelphia",
   "cost": "N/A",
   "who": "N/A",
   "appt": "The City's notary page is about recording a notary commission, not notarizing documents for the public. We found no City office offering public notary service.",
   "id": "N/A",
   "src": "phl"
  },
  {
   "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": {
  "pa": {
   "title": "Notary Public Fees | Pennsylvania Department of State",
   "url": "https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/programs/notaries/notary-public-fees"
  },
  "flp": {
   "title": "Parkway Central Library | Free Library of Philadelphia",
   "url": "https://libwww.freelibrary.org/locations/parkway-central-library/"
  },
  "phl": {
   "title": "Record a notary commission | City of Philadelphia",
   "url": "https://www.phila.gov/services/business-self-employment/record-a-notary-commission/"
  },
  "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/philadelphia/",
 "site": "Notary Where",
 "disclaimer": "Summarized from the official sources listed; rules change, confirm with the source before acting."
}