Notary Allentown PA: Where to Find Notary Services in Allentown 2026 October

Prepare for the Notary Allentown PA: Where to Find certification. Practice questions with answer explanations covering all exam domains.

Finding a Notary in Allentown, PA

Looking for a notary in Allentown, PA? You've got more options than you might think. Allentown is the third-largest city in Pennsylvania — Lehigh County's seat and a regional hub — which means notary services are widely available across the city and surrounding Lehigh Valley area.

Here's where to find notary services in Allentown without much hassle:

Banks and Credit Unions

Most major banks offer free notary services to account holders. In Allentown, that includes branches of TD Bank, Chase, BB&T (now Truist), Wells Fargo, and local credit unions like Citadel Federal Credit Union and Members 1st. Call ahead — not every branch has a notary on duty every day, and some require an appointment.

UPS Store and FedEx Office

Several UPS Store locations in the Allentown area offer notary services for a per-signature fee. No appointment usually needed during business hours. FedEx Office stores similarly offer notarization in many locations. These are convenient if you need something notarized quickly without a bank account relationship.

Law Offices

Many law offices in Allentown — particularly those handling real estate, estate planning, or business law — have a notary on staff. If you're getting a legal document notarized anyway, this is often the most logical option. Note that lawyers typically charge for their time, so this isn't the cheapest route for a simple signature.

Public Libraries

The Allentown Public Library sometimes offers notary services. Hours and availability vary — call ahead to confirm. This is often a free or low-cost option for residents.

AAA Offices

AAA offices often provide notary services to members at no charge. If you're a AAA member in the Allentown area, this is worth checking.

Did You Know? Passing the PA Notary exam on your first attempt saves both time and money. Start with diagnostic practice tests to identify weak areas.

Mobile Notary Services in Allentown

A mobile notary travels to you — your home, office, hospital, or wherever the document needs to be signed. This is particularly useful for:

  • Real estate closings requiring multiple signatures at a convenient location
  • Elderly or disabled individuals who can't travel easily
  • Documents that need to be signed at a specific location (like a vehicle title transfer)
  • Time-sensitive documents outside regular business hours

Mobile notaries in the Allentown/Lehigh Valley area typically charge a base fee of $25–$75 plus a per-signature fee and mileage. Search NNA (National Notary Association) or Notary Rotary to find vetted mobile notaries in the 18101–18109 zip codes.

What a Notary in Allentown PA Can Do For You

Pennsylvania notaries can perform several official functions — it's not just signatures on documents. PA notaries can:

  • Take acknowledgments — confirming that you signed a document voluntarily
  • Administer oaths and affirmations — for affidavits, depositions, and sworn statements
  • Take verifications on oath or affirmation — for forms requiring sworn verification
  • Witness or attest a signature — confirming identity of the signer
  • Certify copies of certain documents — not all documents; original records issued by government agencies must be certified by those agencies
  • Note a protest — a specialized financial instrument function
  • Perform online notarizations — PA adopted Remote Online Notarization (RON) in 2020

What they can't do: a PA notary cannot certify that documents are legally valid, advise on legal matters, or certify copies of documents that government agencies must certify themselves (like birth certificates or court records).

Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania was an early adopter of Remote Online Notarization. Since 2020, PA notaries who complete additional training and use approved technology platforms can notarize documents for signers anywhere — no in-person meeting required.

For Allentown residents, this opens up a lot of options. You can get documents notarized via video call from the convenience of your home. Platforms like Notarize.com, PandaDoc Notary, and others connect you with RON-certified notaries on demand, often 24/7.

One important note: not every document type is eligible for RON. Real estate documents in Pennsylvania generally are now, but check with your specific transaction parties (lender, title company, etc.) to confirm they accept RON notarizations before proceeding.

How to Become a Notary in PA (If You're Interested)

Many people who search for notary services in Allentown are actually considering becoming one themselves — for a side income or as a value-add to their professional role. The PA notary process is fairly straightforward:

Pennsylvania requires notary applicants to:

  1. Be at least 18 years old and a PA resident or regularly employed in PA
  2. Complete an approved 3-hour notary education course
  3. Pass the Pennsylvania notary exam (administered by PSI)
  4. Submit an application to the Pennsylvania Department of State
  5. Purchase a $10,000 surety bond
  6. Take the oath of office at the county courthouse
  7. Obtain your notary seal and commission certificate

pennsylvania notary can help you prepare for the exam. The test covers Pennsylvania notary law, proper notarial procedures, and record-keeping requirements. It's not particularly difficult if you study — most candidates who prepare pass on the first attempt.

If you want to perform Remote Online Notarizations, there's additional training and technology approval required beyond the base commission.

PA Notary Fees in Allentown

Pennsylvania law sets maximum fees that notaries can charge:

  • Acknowledgment (first signature): $5.00
  • Each additional signature on same document: $2.00
  • Verbal oath or affirmation: $5.00
  • Certified copy of notarial record: $5.00

Banks that offer free notary services to customers are waiving these fees as a courtesy. Mobile notaries typically charge a travel fee on top of the standard signature fees. Remote online notarizations have their own pricing set by the platform.

  • ✓Confirm your exam appointment and location
  • ✓Bring required identification documents
  • ✓Arrive 30 minutes early to check in
  • ✓Read each question carefully before answering
  • ✓Flag difficult questions and return to them later
  • ✓Manage your time — don't spend too long on one question
  • ✓Review flagged questions before submitting

PA Notary: Pros and Cons

✅Pros
  • +notary services near me — pA Notary credential is recognized by employers and industry professionals
  • +Higher earning potential compared to non-credentialed peers
  • +Expanded career opportunities and professional advancement
  • +Structured learning path builds comprehensive knowledge
  • +Professional development that stays current with industry standards
❌Cons
  • −Preparation requires significant time and study commitment
  • −Associated costs for exams, materials, and renewal fees
  • −Continuing education needed to maintain credentials
  • −Competition for advanced positions can be challenging
  • −Requirements and standards may vary by state or region

Pros and Cons at a Glance

ProsCons
notary services near me — pA Notary credential is recognized by employers and industry professionalsPreparation requires significant time and study commitment
Higher earning potential compared to non-credentialed peersAssociated costs for exams, materials, and renewal fees
Expanded career opportunities and professional advancementContinuing education needed to maintain credentials
Structured learning path builds comprehensive knowledgeCompetition for advanced positions can be challenging
Professional development that stays current with industry standardsRequirements and standards may vary by state or region

Sample PA Notary - Pennsylvania Notary Exam Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free PA Notary - Pennsylvania Notary Exam practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

  1. A customer needs a 'notarized copy' of their original U.S. Passport. Which of the following describes the authorized notarial act a Pennsylvania notary can perform in this scenario?

    • A. The notary makes a photocopy, then uses a 'Certified True Copy' stamp and signs the copy.
    • B. The notary attaches an acknowledgment certificate to the photocopy of the passport.
    • C. The notary administers an oath to the passport holder, who swears the copy is true and correct, and then completes a jurat.
    • D. The notary is prohibited from performing any notarial act related to a U.S. Passport.

Answer: C. The notary administers an oath to the passport holder, who swears the copy is true and correct, and then completes a jurat.

In Pennsylvania, notaries are not authorized to certify copies of vital or publicly recordable documents like passports themselves. However, they can perform a 'copy certification by document custodian.' This involves the passport holder (the custodian) presenting the original and a copy and swearing under oath that the copy is a true and accurate reproduction. The notary then notarizes the custodian's sworn statement with a verification on oath or affirmation (jurat).

  • If a principal directs another individual to sign on their behalf due to a physical disability, what is the notary's primary responsibility in the notarial certificate?

    • A. To obtain identification from both the principal and the person signing.
    • B. To state in the certificate that the signature was made by another at the principal's direction.
    • C. To have the person signing take an oath regarding their authority.
    • D. To refuse the notarization as it constitutes a prohibited act.
  • Answer: B. To state in the certificate that the signature was made by another at the principal's direction.

    When a signature is made by another person on behalf of the principal, the notary must state in the certificate that the signature was affixed in the principal's presence and at their direction.

  • A person acting as an attorney-in-fact for a parent signs a real estate document in your presence. Which detail is most critical for the notary to include in the notarial certificate for this specific act?

    • A. The date the power of attorney document was originally executed.
    • B. A statement clarifying that the signer appeared in the capacity of an attorney-in-fact.
    • C. The physical address of the principal who granted the power of attorney.
    • D. The notary's personal opinion on the validity of the power of attorney document.
  • Answer: B. A statement clarifying that the signer appeared in the capacity of an attorney-in-fact.

    Pennsylvania's RULONA requires that the notarial certificate accurately reflect the circumstances of the notarization. This includes stating the representative capacity of the signer, such as 'attorney-in-fact for [Principal's Name]', to ensure the record is clear and legally sound.

  • A signer with a severe physical disability appears before you. You are concerned they may not understand the document. What is the most appropriate action?

    • A. Proceed with the notarization to avoid discrimination.
    • B. Ask a family member to explain the document to the signer.
    • C. Refuse to notarize if you are not satisfied the signer understands the document.
    • D. Charge an additional fee for the complexity of the situation.
  • Answer: C. Refuse to notarize if you are not satisfied the signer understands the document.

    A notary has a duty to ensure the signer is aware, willing, and understands the transaction. If the notary has a reasonable belief that the signer lacks the necessary capacity, they must refuse to notarize.

    Take the full PA Notary - Pennsylvania Notary Exam practice test

    About the Author

    James R. Hargrove
    James R. HargroveJD, LLM

    Attorney & Bar Exam Preparation Specialist

    Yale Law School

    James R. Hargrove is a practicing attorney and legal educator with a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School and an LLM in Constitutional Law. With over a decade of experience coaching bar exam candidates across multiple jurisdictions, he specializes in MBE strategy, state-specific essay preparation, and multistate performance test techniques.

    Join the Discussion

    Connect with other students preparing for this exam. Share tips, ask questions, and get advice from people who have been there.

    View discussion (8 replies)