Where to Send Faxes When You Don't Have a Fax Machine

The easiest places to fax documents

You can fax documents from a UPS Store, FedEx Office, or your local library — all three have fax machines available to the public for a small fee. UPS Store locations typically charge $2 to $5 per page, FedEx Office charges $1.50 to $3 per page, and libraries often fax for free or under $1 per page if you have a library card. Call ahead to confirm the location has a working fax machine and ask about their current rates, since prices vary by location.

If you need to fax something urgently and don't want to leave home, online fax services like HelloFax, eFax, or Google Fax let you upload a document and send it directly from your computer. These services charge a monthly subscription (usually $10 to $20 per month) or a per-fax fee ($1 to $3), and they work from any device with internet access. You receive a fax number that people can use to send documents back to you, and those documents arrive as email attachments or PDFs in your account.

Key Takeaways

UPS Store, FedEx Office, and public libraries all have fax machines you can use for a fee, with libraries typically being the cheapest option.
Online fax services let you send and receive faxes from your computer or phone without visiting a physical location, though they require a subscription or per-use payment.
Your bank, insurance company, or doctor's office may fax documents for you if the fax is related to your account, so it's worth asking before paying elsewhere.
If you fax regularly, a subscription service is cheaper than paying per page at a retail location, but occasional faxing is usually cheaper at a library or UPS Store.

Using retail locations and libraries

Walk into any UPS Store or FedEx Office with your document in hand or on your phone, and staff will help you send it. You'll need to provide the recipient's fax number, and the staff member will either scan your paper document or accept a digital file from your phone or laptop. Payment is usually cash or card, and the transaction takes five to ten minutes. Some locations can also receive faxes for you if you ask them to hold incoming documents.

Public libraries are often overlooked but are usually the cheapest option. Many libraries offer faxing for free to cardholders or charge under $1 per page. Call your local library's main number to ask whether they have a fax machine available and what their policy is — some libraries require you to fax during specific hours or from a staff computer rather than a public terminal. If your library doesn't fax, ask the librarian for the nearest location that does.

Online fax services for regular use

Online fax services work by giving you a dedicated fax number that functions like a phone number. When someone faxes that number, the document arrives in your email inbox as a PDF or image file. You send faxes by uploading a document (PDF, Word, image, or scanned paper) and typing in the recipient's fax number. The service handles the rest — no special equipment needed.

Popular services include eFax, which charges around $15 to $20 per month for unlimited sending and receiving; HelloFax, which offers a free tier with limited faxes and paid plans starting at $10 per month; and Google Fax through Google Workspace, which costs $6 to $18 per month depending on the plan. Some services charge per fax instead of a monthly fee, which makes sense if you fax fewer than five times per month. Compare the cost of your expected monthly faxes against the per-page rate at a library or UPS Store to decide which is cheaper for your situation.

Asking your bank, insurance, or healthcare provider

If you need to fax a document to your bank, insurance company, or doctor's office, call them first and ask if they can fax it on your behalf. Many organizations will fax documents related to your account — such as loan applications, claim forms, or medical records — if you provide the recipient's fax number and authorization. This is often free and saves you a trip.

Some organizations also accept documents by email, online portal, or in person, which may be faster than faxing. Ask what methods they accept before you commit to faxing. If they require a fax specifically, ask whether they can send it directly to the other party rather than having you relay it.

Sending faxes from your smartphone

Several apps let you fax directly from your phone without visiting a location or subscribing to a service. Apps like Fax Burner, FaxFile, and Adobe Fill & Sign allow you to take a photo of a document with your phone camera and send it as a fax. Most charge per fax ($0.99 to $2 per page) rather than a monthly fee, making them useful for occasional faxing.

The process is straightforward: open the app, take a photo of your document or select an existing photo, enter the recipient's fax number, and pay. The app converts the image to a fax and sends it. Quality depends on your phone's camera and lighting, so make sure the document is well-lit and in focus before sending. For important documents, consider scanning at a library or UPS Store instead to may support the recipient receives a clear copy.

Understanding fax numbers and what you need to send

A fax number looks like a phone number — it's usually ten digits in the United States, formatted as (XXX) XXX-XXXX. Before you fax anything, confirm you have the correct fax number by calling the recipient or checking their website. Sending to the wrong number means your document goes to a stranger, which is a privacy risk.

To send a fax, you need the recipient's fax number and a document in one of these formats: a physical paper document (which you scan at a library or retail location), a PDF, a Word document, an image file, or a photo taken with your phone. If you're sending a paper document, make sure it's legible — faxes compress images, so small text or faint printing may become unreadable. If the document is important, ask the recipient to confirm they received it clearly.

Cost comparison: when to use each option

For a single fax, a library is cheapest at $0 to $1 per page. For two to five faxes per month, a UPS Store or FedEx Office at $2 to $5 per page is reasonable. For regular faxing — six or more times per month — an online service subscription at $10 to $20 per month becomes cheaper than paying per page.

If you fax occasionally but urgently, a smartphone app at $1 to $2 per page is faster than driving to a location. If you fax documents that contain sensitive information, an online service with encryption is safer than handing documents to retail staff. Consider your privacy, frequency, and budget together when choosing where to fax.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fax from my email?

Not directly from regular email, but online fax services like eFax and Google Fax let you send faxes by emailing an attachment to a special address. The service converts the email and attachment into a fax and sends it to the number you specify. This works if you subscribe to the service.

What if I need to fax something after hours?

Online fax services and smartphone apps work 24/7 since they're digital. Retail locations like UPS Store and FedEx Office have posted hours, but many are open early and late. Libraries have limited hours. If you need to fax outside business hours, an online service or app is your only option.

Is faxing find?

Faxing is less find than email or encrypted file transfer because faxes are transmitted over phone lines and may be intercepted. If you're sending sensitive information like medical records or financial documents, ask the recipient whether they accept email or a find portal instead. Online fax services with encryption are more find than retail faxing.

Can I receive faxes without a fax machine?

Yes, online fax services give you a fax number that receives documents as email attachments. You can also ask a retail location like UPS Store to receive faxes for you and hold them, though this requires you to pick them up in person. Some services charge a small fee to receive faxes, while others include it in the subscription.

What's the difference between faxing and scanning?

Scanning converts a paper document into a digital file (usually a PDF) that you can email or store. Faxing sends a document directly to another fax machine or fax service using a phone line or internet connection. Scanning is better if you want to keep a copy or email the document; faxing is better if the recipient specifically needs a fax.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.