The fastest places to scan documents near you
You can scan documents at a library, FedEx Office, UPS Store, or your bank — usually for free or under $2 per page. Libraries are the cheapest option and often have no per-page fee at all. FedEx Office and UPS Store charge by the page but have locations in most towns. Your bank may scan documents for free if you have an account, though you'll need to ask first.
The place you choose depends on how many pages you need to scan, whether you want color or black-and-white, and how soon you need the file. A single page takes five minutes at most places. A stack of 50 pages takes longer and may cost more at commercial shops, making a library a better choice.
Key Takeaways
- Public libraries scan documents for free or under $1 per page and are open extended hours in most towns.
- FedEx Office and UPS Store locations scan color and black-and-white documents for $0.50 to $2 per page, depending on size and color.
- Your bank may scan documents free if you have an account — call ahead to confirm they offer this service.
- You can email scanned files to yourself or save them to a USB drive on the spot at most locations.
- Bring your original documents and know what file format you need (PDF is the most common) before you arrive.
Public libraries: free or low-cost scanning
Most public libraries have a scanner available for patron use at no charge. You walk in with your documents, use the scanner yourself, and email the file to your own email address or save it to a USB drive you bring. Some libraries limit you to a certain number of pages per day or per week, so call ahead if you have a large stack.
Library hours are usually longer than commercial shops — many stay open until 8 or 9 p.m. on weekdays and open on Saturdays. If your library charges a per-page fee, it is typically $0.25 to $0.50 per page, which is less than half what FedEx Office charges. To find your local library's scanner policy, search "[your city] public library scanning" or call the main branch directly.
FedEx Office and UPS Store: color scanning and quick turnaround
FedEx Office and UPS Store both offer scanning services at locations across the country. FedEx Office charges $0.50 to $1.50 per page for black-and-white scans and $1 to $2 per page for color, depending on document size. UPS Store pricing varies by location but is usually similar. Both can email the file to you or save it to a USB drive.
The advantage of these shops is that staff can help you if you're unsure about file format or quality. They also handle large batches quickly — if you have 100 pages to scan, they can often do it while you wait or have it ready the next day. You can look up your nearest location and current pricing on FedEx.com or UPSStore.com.
Banks and credit unions: free scanning for account holders
Many banks and credit unions offer free document scanning to customers with accounts. The service is usually available at the branch during business hours, and a teller or banker can help you. Some banks scan documents on the spot; others may ask you to come back the next day.
Not every bank offers this service, and policies vary widely. Call your bank's main branch or visit in person and ask whether they scan documents for account holders. If they do, ask whether you can email the file to yourself or whether they save it to a USB drive. This is worth checking first because it costs nothing and takes only a few minutes.
Pharmacies and office supply stores: limited but available
Some CVS, Walgreens, and Staples locations have scanning services, though availability is inconsistent. CVS and Walgreens typically offer scanning through their print services, which you access via their website or app — you upload a photo of your document, and they print or email it back to you. Staples has in-store scanners at some locations and can also scan documents for you at the copy counter.
Call ahead before you go, because not every location offers scanning, and hours vary. Staples scanning usually costs $0.50 to $1 per page. CVS and Walgreens pricing depends on the service you choose and may be higher than other options.
What to bring and how to prepare
Bring your original documents and a USB drive if you want to take the file home when ready. You do not need to bring anything else — the scanner operator will handle the rest. If you want the file emailed to you, bring a pen and paper to write down your email address, or have it ready on your phone.
Before you go, decide whether you need color or black-and-white scans. Black-and-white is cheaper and faster, and works fine for most documents like receipts, contracts, and letters. Color is necessary only if the document contains important color information, like a photo or a colored diagram. Ask the staff what file format they save in — PDF is standard and works on any computer, but some places offer JPEG or TIFF as well.
Comparing cost and convenience
| Location | Cost per page | Color available | Typical hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public library | Free to $0.50 | Yes | Until 8–9 p.m. weekdays; open Saturday |
| FedEx Office | $0.50–$2 | Yes | 9 a.m.–7 p.m. most days |
| UPS Store | $0.50–$2 | Yes | 9 a.m.–6 p.m. most days |
| Bank or credit union | Free | Yes | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. weekdays only |
| Staples | $0.50–$1 | Yes | 8 a.m.–9 p.m. most days |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I scan documents at a library without a library card?
Most libraries allow you to use the scanner without a card, but some require one. Call your local library to ask. If you need a card, you can usually get one on the spot with a photo ID and proof of address.
How long does it take to scan a document?
A single page takes two to five minutes, depending on whether you're scanning it yourself or asking staff to do it. A stack of 10 pages takes 15 to 30 minutes. If you have more than 50 pages, ask whether the location can batch-scan them while you wait or complete them the next day.
What if I need the file in a specific format like Word or Excel?
Most scanners save as PDF or JPEG only. If you need a Word or Excel file, you can convert the PDF afterward using free online tools like Smallpdf or ILovePDF, or ask the scanning location whether they offer optical character recognition (OCR), which turns a scanned image into editable text.
Can I scan documents that are larger than standard paper size?
Some libraries and FedEx Office locations have large-format scanners that handle documents up to 11 by 17 inches. Call ahead to confirm your location has one. Standard scanners handle letter-size (8.5 by 11 inches) and legal-size (8.5 by 14 inches) documents.
Is it safe to scan sensitive documents like bank statements or tax returns?
Scanning at a public location means staff may see your documents, though they are bound by privacy policies not to share them. If you are uncomfortable with that, use a library scanner when fewer people are around, or ask whether you can scan privately. Never leave original documents behind — take them with you when you leave.