The fastest places to fax are your bank, your workplace, and the UPS Store

You can fax documents from a bank branch, your employer's office, a UPS Store, FedEx Office, or a local print shop without owning a fax machine. Most of these places charge between $1 and $5 per page, though banks often fax for free if you have an account. The catch is that you need to be physically present with the document, and some locations have limits on how many pages they will send in one transaction.

If you need to fax something regularly or from home, an online fax service like HelloFax, eFax, or Google Fax (through Google Workspace) lets you send and receive faxes from your computer or phone. These services cost $10 to $30 per month and work anywhere you have internet. They are worth considering if you fax more than a few times a year, because the per-page cost at a physical location adds up quickly.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks fax documents for free or very cheaply if you have an account, and you can usually do it while you wait.
  • UPS Store and FedEx Office locations charge $1 to $5 per page and are open on weekends, making them reliable backup options.
  • Your workplace may let you use the office fax machine if you ask your manager or the administrative staff.
  • Online fax services cost $10 to $30 monthly and let you fax from your computer, which is cheaper than per-page fees if you fax regularly.
  • Local print shops and shipping centers often fax for less than chain stores, so calling ahead to compare prices saves money.

Faxing at your bank

Your bank branch is usually the cheapest option. Most banks fax documents for free to customers with an account, or charge a small flat fee of $1 to $2 per transaction regardless of page count. You bring the original document, hand it to a teller or visit the customer service desk, and they send it while you wait — the whole process takes five to ten minutes.

Call your branch before you go to confirm they offer fax service and ask whether they charge. Some banks limit fax service to certain hours or require you to schedule it in advance. If your bank does not fax, ask if they can refer you to a nearby location that does, since larger branches are more likely to have the service.

UPS Store and FedEx Office locations

Both UPS Store and FedEx Office locations have fax machines available to the public. UPS Store typically charges $1 to $2 per page, while FedEx Office charges $1.50 to $3 per page depending on your location. You walk in with your document, tell the staff member where you want it sent, and they handle it from there. Most locations are open until 7 or 8 p.m. on weekdays and have weekend hours, which makes them useful when your bank is closed.

The downside is that you pay per page, so a ten-page fax costs $10 to $30. Call ahead if you are sending more than five pages, because some locations ask you to come back later if they are busy. You can also ask if they offer a discount for multiple pages or if they have a slower fax rate that costs less.

Your workplace or school

If you work or study somewhere with office equipment, ask your manager, supervisor, or administrative staff whether you can use the fax machine for personal documents. Many workplaces allow this at no charge, especially for occasional use. The advantage is that it is free and you already know where the machine is.

Be respectful about the request — ask during a quiet time, keep the number of pages reasonable, and offer to reimburse them if they ask. Some workplaces have policies against personal faxing, so do not assume it is allowed. If your workplace says no, they may be able to point you toward a nearby location that faxes cheaply.

Local print shops and shipping centers

Independent print shops, local shipping centers, and office supply stores like Staples often fax documents for $1 to $3 per page. These places are worth calling because they sometimes charge less than chain stores and may offer discounts if you are a regular customer. A local shop is also more likely to help you troubleshoot if something goes wrong with the fax — for example, if the number is busy or the receiving fax machine is not picking up.

Search online for "fax services near me" or call ahead to three or four nearby locations to compare prices before you go. Ask whether they charge per page or per transaction, and whether they can fax to international numbers (some charge extra for that).

Online fax services for regular use

If you fax more than four or five times a year, an online fax service becomes cheaper than paying per page at a physical location. Services like HelloFax, eFax, and Google Fax let you upload a document from your computer or phone and send it to any fax number. You receive faxes as email attachments or PDFs in your account. Monthly plans range from $10 to $30 depending on how many faxes you send and receive.

The main advantage is convenience — you can fax from home, from work, or from anywhere you have internet, and you do not have to leave your house or wait in line. The main disadvantage is that you need to set up an account and pay monthly even if you only fax occasionally. Some services offer a free tier with a limited number of faxes per month, so check what the free option includes before you pay.

Google Fax is available if you have a Google Workspace account (the paid version of Gmail for businesses and organizations). It integrates with Google Drive and Gmail, so you can fax directly from documents you already have stored there. Other services like HelloFax and eFax work with any email account and let you fax from your phone using their app.

Faxing documents from your phone

If you have a smartphone, you can use a fax app to photograph a document and send it as a fax. Apps like Adobe Scan, Microsoft Lens, and dedicated fax apps let you take a clear photo of a document, clean it up, and send it to a fax number. Most of these apps are free to read, though some charge per fax or require a monthly subscription.

The advantage is that you do not need to go anywhere — you photograph the document at home and send it when ready. The disadvantage is that the quality depends on your phone's camera and your lighting, so the receiving fax may be harder to read than one sent from a proper fax machine. This method works well for straightforward documents like a signed form or a one-page letter, but less well for documents with small text or fine details.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to fax one page?

At a bank, faxing is usually free or $1 to $2 per transaction. At UPS Store or FedEx Office, expect $1 to $3 per page. A local print shop may charge $1 to $2 per page. Online fax services cost $10 to $30 per month if you fax regularly, which works out cheaper if you send more than five or six pages per month.

Can I fax to a different country?

Yes, but it may cost more. Most physical locations charge extra for international faxes — ask when you call. Online fax services usually support international numbers at no extra charge, though you should check the service's website to confirm which countries they cover.

What if the fax number is wrong or the fax does not go through?

At a physical location, the staff member will tell you when ready if the fax fails to send. Ask them to try again or help you verify the number. With an online fax service, you usually get a delivery confirmation email within a few minutes. If the fax fails, the service will tell you why — for example, the number was busy or the receiving machine did not answer.

Do I need the original document or can I fax a photocopy?

A photocopy works fine. You can also fax a printed email, a printed document from your computer, or a photograph of a document. The receiving fax machine will print whatever you send, so the quality of what you bring matters — bring a clear, readable copy.

How long does a fax take to arrive?

A fax usually arrives within seconds to a few minutes, depending on how many pages you are sending and whether the receiving fax machine is busy. If the receiving machine does not answer, the sending machine will try again automatically. Online fax services typically deliver within a few minutes during business hours.