A notary public at the BMV is usually not something you’ll find. Most Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Department of Motor Vehicles offices do not keep a commissioned notary on staff, so if your title transfer or other vehicle paperwork needs notarization, plan to handle that at a bank, shipping store, AAA branch, or mobile or online notary before you go.
A few individual branches in certain states do have an employee who happens to hold a notary commission and will help with vehicle paperwork as a courtesy. It’s not something to count on. One phone call to your specific office is the only way to know.
Why the BMV Usually Can’t Notarize Your Documents
BMV clerks process registrations, issue licenses, and handle title paperwork. Notarizing documents isn’t part of that job. A notary public holds a separate state commission, and motor vehicle offices generally don’t staff for the function.
Even where a BMV location does offer notary services, the notary on duty may only handle documents tied to a vehicle transaction happening right there. A power of attorney or affidavit for a separate matter almost always sends you elsewhere.
Which Vehicle Documents Actually Need a Notary
The most common trigger is a private-party title transfer. Roughly a dozen states require the signatures on the title to be notarized before the BMV will process the ownership change. The list shifts as legislatures update their codes, so check your state’s title instructions before you assume notarization is or isn’t needed.
Other vehicle paperwork that may require a notary’s seal, depending on the state:
- Bills of sale, particularly for private transactions.
- Powers of attorney, if someone else is handling the transfer for you.
- Lien releases and affidavits correcting title errors.
Dealer transactions are often exempt. In Ohio, when a licensed dealer is a party to the transfer, no notarization is required on the title, the application, or related paperwork.1Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 4505 – Motor Vehicle Dealer Transfers Similar carve-outs exist elsewhere, which is why buyers and sellers dealing with a lot rarely run into the notary question while private sellers do.
Where to Get a Notary Instead
Banks and Credit Unions
Many banks provide notary services free to account holders. Bank of America offers free notary services to its customers.2Bank of America. Notary Services from Bank of America Most major banks and credit unions follow a similar policy, though some limit it to certain account types or ask for an appointment. If you already have a checking or savings account, this is usually the cheapest route.
UPS Store and FedEx Office
Shipping and office stores commonly offer walk-in notary service. Availability varies by location because individual franchise owners decide whether to keep a notary on staff, so call ahead. Fees are generally modest, at or near the state-set maximum for a single notarization.
AAA Branches
Select AAA offices provide notary services to members and non-members, with a discount for members. Since AAA already handles some vehicle paperwork, getting a title document notarized there can pair well with other errands.
Mobile Notaries
A mobile notary comes to you. The per-signature fee is still capped by state law, but travel charges, wait time, and after-hours surcharges push a typical appointment to somewhere between $75 and $200. Worth it when you have multiple signers spread across locations, a tight deadline, or difficulty leaving home.
Remote Online Notarization
Remote online notarization (RON) uses a video call to complete the process from your computer. More than 40 states now authorize it. Not every state that permits RON allows it for vehicle title documents, though, and some require the notary to be commissioned in a particular jurisdiction. Before using an online notary for a title, confirm your state’s BMV will accept a remotely notarized document.
What It Costs
Every state caps what a notary can charge per notarial act. For standard in-person acknowledgments and jurats, the maximum runs from about $2 to $25, with most states landing between $5 and $15. Remote online notarizations often carry a higher cap, commonly $25 to $30 per act.
Those caps cover the notarial act only. They don’t cover travel, printing, or convenience premiums:
- Banks: often free for account holders.
- Retail locations: typically the state maximum, so $5 to $15 in most states.
- Mobile notaries: total cost with travel usually $75 to $200.
- Online platforms: platform fee on top of the notarial fee, bringing the session to roughly $25 to $50.
How to Prepare So the Trip Isn’t Wasted
Bring Valid, Unexpired Photo ID
The notary’s core job is verifying your identity. Bring a current, government-issued photo ID with your photo, signature, and an identifying number: a driver’s license, state ID card, or U.S. passport all work. The ID cannot be expired. Most states require it to be current at the time of notarization, and a notary who accepts expired ID risks their commission.3Texas Secretary of State. Frequently Asked Questions for Notaries Public If your license lapsed recently, renew it first or bring a valid passport.
Do Not Sign the Document in Advance
This is the mistake that sends people home. You have to sign in front of the notary. If you’ve already signed at the kitchen table, the notary will typically refuse to notarize because they didn’t witness the signature. Fill in everything else, leave the signature line blank, and sign when the notary tells you to.
Know Which Type of Notarization the Form Requires
The two common types are an acknowledgment (you confirm you signed voluntarily) and a jurat (you swear under oath that the contents are true and sign in front of the notary). Vehicle title transfers typically call for an acknowledgment, but the document itself or your state’s BMV instructions will say. Getting the wrong type means doing it again.
Get All Signers to the Appointment
Some vehicle documents require buyer and seller to sign in front of the notary. If the title form has separate notarized signature blocks for both parties, everyone needs to be present at the same appointment, or each person needs to visit a notary separately. Coordinating in advance keeps one signature from missing the BMV deadline.