NotaryNKY
Northern Kentucky & Greater Cincinnati
Boone · Kenton · Campbell · Hamilton
Real locations, real hours, real fees. Banks, UPS Stores, county clerk offices, and mobile notaries across Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati — verified and organized so you're not driving across town for a closed office.
Different situations call for different notary options. Use the tabs to find what fits your document and schedule.
ⓘ Non-account holders may be turned away. Call ahead to confirm notary availability — not every branch has a notary on duty every day.
ⓘ Fifth Third typically keeps a notary on staff. Still call ahead — lunch hours (12–1pm) can leave the desk unstaffed.
ⓘ U.S. Bank policy: notary service for account holders only. Bring your account card and a valid photo ID.
ⓘ Huntington is strong on the Ohio side. NKY customers: Fifth Third or Chase are more accessible.
| Location | Address | Hours | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florence KY | 7574 Turfway Rd | M–F 8–7, Sa 9–5, Su 11–4 | (859) 282-9393 |
| Erlanger KY | 3753 Turkeyfoot Rd | M–F 8–7, Sa 9–5, Su 11–4 | (859) 727-1977 |
| Covington KY | 320 W Pike St | M–F 8–6:30, Sa 9–4 | (859) 491-2679 |
| Newport KY | 1000 Monmouth St | M–F 8–6:30, Sa 9–3 | (859) 431-8722 |
| Burlington KY | 5952 N Jefferson St | M–F 8–7, Sa 9–5 | (859) 689-5900 |
| Cincinnati (Hyde Park) | 2692 Madison Rd | M–F 8–7, Sa 9–5, Su 11–4 | (513) 871-8700 |
| Blue Ash OH | 9439 Waterstone Blvd | M–F 8–7, Sa 9–5, Su 11–4 | (513) 984-7866 |
| Mason OH | 4000 Socialville-Foster Rd | M–F 8–7, Sa 9–5 | (513) 459-7447 |
ⓘ UPS Store charges per signature notarized, not per document. A document with 3 signature lines = 3 fees. Bring cash or card. Most NKY UPS Stores are franchise-owned — call to confirm notary availability on weekends.
ⓘ The county clerk can notarize most standard documents. They will not notarize documents where they have a conflict of interest or personal stake. Bring valid photo ID.
ⓘ Kenton County has two branches. The Independence branch is less busy — better choice if you're coming from the I-75 corridor south of Covington.
ⓘ Newport office serves a lot of foot traffic. Alexandria is quieter if you're coming from Grant or Pendleton County direction.
ⓘ Ohio notaries are commissioned through the Secretary of State. County offices and courts routinely notarize for the public. Fee is lower than private options.
A mobile notary travels to your location. Common scenarios: real estate closings, hospital bedside signings, elderly or disabled clients who can't travel, and business document execution.
ⓘ Always verify the notary's commission is current before the appointment. In Kentucky, you can verify at sos.ky.gov. In Ohio: ohiosos.gov.
ⓘ Library notary services are limited in scope. They do not notarize real estate documents, mortgage paperwork, or documents they deem complex. Best for simple affidavits and personal documents.
ⓘ Kenton County libraries have offered free notary services but staffing changes frequently. Always call the specific branch — do not assume availability.
ⓘ The main Cincinnati library downtown is your best bet for free Ohio-side notary service. Branch availability is inconsistent.
Each county has its own clerks, courts, and local options. We're building a full page for each — click through for complete local data.
Burlington, Florence, Walton, Hebron
Covington, Independence, Edgewood, Ft. Mitchell
Newport, Alexandria, Cold Spring, Ft. Thomas
Cincinnati, Blue Ash, Norwood, Madeira
Not all notarizations are the same. The document type affects where you go and what you need to bring.
KY and OH both require notarization for POA documents to be valid. For healthcare POA, you also need two witnesses who are not the agent or healthcare providers. Banks and county clerks handle these.
Deeds, mortgages, and refinance papers require notarization. In Ohio, deeds also need two witnesses. Use a loan signing agent (mobile notary) or title company. Library notaries typically decline real estate docs.
Common for court filings, insurance claims, and business matters. The notary administers an oath or affirmation that the statement is true. Any notary location works.
If a child is traveling internationally with one parent or a non-parent, a notarized travel consent letter is required. Airlines and border agents can and do ask for this. UPS Store or bank works.
Kentucky requires notarization on vehicle bills of sale for title transfer at the county clerk. Ohio does not require it but recommends it. County clerk is the most efficient.
Kentucky requires two witnesses and notarization for a self-proving will. The notary cannot be a witness. Ohio has similar requirements. Attorney's office, bank, or mobile notary. Libraries typically decline.
Estimate what you'll pay before you go. Kentucky and Ohio have different statutory fee caps.
| Notary Type | KY | OH |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | Free* | Free* |
| UPS Store | $15–$20/sig | $15–$20/sig |
| County Clerk | $2/sig (max) | $1/sig (max $5) |
| Library | Free | Free |
| Mobile Notary | $50–$75 base | $50–$75 base |
| Loan Signing Agent | $100–$150 | $100–$150 |
*Free for account holders only. Kentucky statutory cap: $2/sig. Ohio: $1/sig, max $5 per document. Private notaries (UPS, mobile) are not bound by statutory caps.
Show up prepared. Missing any of these can mean a wasted trip.
Save the NKY Notary Checklist as a PDF to your phone or print it before your appointment.
Download PDF ChecklistCovers KY and OH requirements, what to bring, what to avoid, and questions to ask the notary.
The two-state NKY/Cincinnati metro means different rules depending on which side of the river you're on.
| Factor | Kentucky | Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Notary commission issued by | Secretary of State (KY SOS) | Secretary of State (OH SOS) |
| Commission term | 4 years | 5 years |
| Statutory fee cap | $2 per signature | $1 per signature, max $5/document |
| Remote Online Notarization (RON) | Authorized (KRS 423A) | Authorized (RC 147.65) |
| Journal required? | Not required but recommended | Required for all notarial acts |
| Witnesses required for deeds | No (notarization only) | Yes — 2 witnesses required |
| Verify commission online | sos.ky.gov | ohiosos.gov |
Cross-border tip: A Kentucky notary cannot notarize an Ohio document that requires an Ohio notary, and vice versa. However, most standard documents (affidavits, POA, bill of sale) can be notarized by either state's notary. If you're unsure which state's requirements apply to your document, check with the agency or court that will receive it.
Both states allow notarization via video call. No in-person visit required for many documents.
ⓘ Real estate closings: some lenders and title companies still require in-person. Always check before scheduling RON for a closing.
ⓘ Average RON cost: $25–$40 per session. Often cheaper than a mobile notary for simple documents.
The cheapest options in NKY are: (1) your bank — free if you're an account holder at Chase, Fifth Third, or U.S. Bank; (2) the county clerk — $2 per signature maximum by law; (3) your public library — free, but call ahead to confirm availability. For Ohio residents, Hamilton County Probate Court charges just $1 per signature.
Yes. UPS Store locations in Florence, Erlanger, Covington, and Newport all offer walk-in notary service. The typical charge is $15–$20 per notarized signature. Note: UPS charges per signature, not per document. If your document has three signature lines to notarize, expect to pay three fees. No appointment needed at most NKY UPS Store locations.
Yes, but your options are limited. UPS Stores are your best bet on weekends — most NKY locations are open Saturday 9am–5pm and some have Sunday hours (11am–4pm). Banks are typically closed Sunday and have limited Saturday hours. County clerks and libraries are closed on weekends. Mobile notaries are available 7 days but charge a premium for weekends — typically an extra $25–$50.
No — and this is the most common mistake. Do NOT sign before you arrive. The entire purpose of notarization is for the notary to witness you signing the document and verify your identity at that moment. A pre-signed document usually cannot be notarized. Show up with the document unsigned and your valid photo ID ready.
It depends on the document. Most standard personal documents — affidavits, bills of sale, powers of attorney — can be notarized by either state's notary. The notarial act itself is valid. However, if the receiving institution (a court, government agency, or bank) specifically requires an Ohio notary, then you need an Ohio notary. When in doubt, ask the institution that will receive the document which state's notary they require.
Kentucky law (KRS 423.010) caps the fee at $2 per notarial act (per signature). This cap applies to commissioned Kentucky notaries. However, private businesses like UPS Store or mobile notaries may charge higher fees because the cap technically applies to the notarial fee — not to service fees they add on top. The county clerk always charges at or below the $2 cap.
In Kentucky, a notary commission is issued by the county clerk (not the Secretary of State). You file an application with your county clerk, pay a $23 fee, and take an oath of office. The commission is valid for 4 years. No exam or training course is required by the state, though courses are available and recommended. You must be 18+ and a Kentucky resident or have a principal place of business in Kentucky.
Most hospitals do not have an on-staff notary for public use, but some social work departments can help connect patients with one. Your best option for hospital bedside notarization is a mobile notary — search NotaryRotary.com or NotaryCafe.com for NKY mobile notaries who specifically list hospital visits. Call ahead: some care facilities require you to notify them before a mobile notary arrives on premises.