Notary Public Services
NOTE: Due to a temporary shortage of staff, notaries at the Central Library in Copley Square will be on a reduced schedule during the summer. Notaries will be available at regular times each week to take walk-in appointments and will no longer be scheduling appointments in advance. Please scroll down for more information.
Notary services are also available at several other BPL locations.
The Boston Public Library provides notary services to the public in person at the Central Library in Copley Square and select Boston Public Library Branches.
You Will Need:
- The document(s) you need notarized
- Make sure the document(s) is/are complete.
- Do not sign your name until notary tells you to do so.
- Proof of your identity
- You may use a state-issued ID card, driver's license, passport, or another government-issued photo ID.
- Ensure the name on your ID matches the name on your document(s).
- All signers to be physically present
- Every individual who will sign the document(s) must bring a proper ID.
- The BPL does not provide witnesses. If your notarization needs to be witnessed, you must bring your own witness(es), who will also need a proper ID.
- To be aware and willing to sign
- The notary will check that you and each member of your party are willing to sign the document(s) and that each of you is mentally aware and alert.
- If you, or anyone in your party, do not understand the details of your transaction, or if you are uncertain about signing the document(s), please resolve this before your appointment.
Branch Locations
At this time, staff can only notarize documents in English. With the exception of Brighton Branch and JP Branch, please schedule an appointment before visiting.
- Call the Codman Square Branch at 617.436.8214 to schedule an appointment.
- Visit the Jamaica Plain Branch during drop-in hours. See JP's drop-in hours on our public calendar.
- Visit the Brighton Branch during drop-in hours. See Brighton's drop-in hours on our public calendar.
See drop-in hours at both (JP Branch and Brighton Branch) participating libraries.
Central Library in Copley Square
Due to a temporary shortage of staff, notaries at the Central Library in Copley Square will be on a reduced schedule during the summer. Notaries will be available at regular times each week to take walk-in appointments and will no longer be scheduling appointments in advance.
Appointments will be available at one of two locations in the Central Library:
- Washington Room, located on the second floor of the McKim Building
- Kirstein Business Library & Innovation Center, located on the lower level of the Boylston Street Building
Please check in with staff at one of these locations when you arrive, and they will direct you to the notary.
Walk-in notary services are also available at the Boston City Clerk’s Office, located in City Hall in Room 601. They are open from 8:00 am-5:00 pm Monday through Friday and charge $5 for this service.
Other Notary Resources
If staff cannot accommodate your request for an appointment, you can try these other locations:
- City and town halls
- Boston City Clerk services (costs $5)
- Courts
- Banks
- Law offices
- Insurance companies
- Drug stores and pharmacies
- In the phone book under "Notary Public"
- Retail stores or delivery services such as Staples, FedEx, or UPS
