By Sarah Martinez · Published April 20, 2026 · Updated June 8, 2026 · 7 min read
Yes, Office Depot does fax — but the experience is more complicated than it sounds. Most locations offer faxing through their Print & Copy Center, but with the company's ongoing store closures, per-page prices that add up fast, and limited availability, it's worth knowing exactly what to expect before you make the trip.
This guide covers Office Depot's current 2026 fax pricing, the step-by-step process, how it compares to competitors, and when a $6.99 online alternative makes more sense.
Does Office Depot Have a Fax Machine?
Office Depot faxing is available at most — but not all — locations. The service is handled in the Print & Copy Center, a dedicated section of the store that also offers printing, scanning, and document binding.
A few important caveats:
- Not every store has fax. Office Depot has closed over 900 locations since its 2013 merger with OfficeMax, and the remaining ~830 stores don't all offer fax services.
- OfficeMax is the same company. Since the merger, OfficeMax and Office Depot operate identically — same services, same pricing structure.
- Call ahead. Even if the Office Depot store locator shows fax services, it's worth calling to confirm the machine is working and available.
Always Call Before You Go
Office Depot store closures are ongoing. Use the Office Depot Store Locator and filter by "Faxing Services," then call to confirm availability — a closed or machine-less location can mean a wasted trip.
Office Depot Fax Prices (2026)
Office Depot fax prices vary by location, but here are the typical rates you can expect:
| Fax Type | First Page | Additional Pages |
|---|---|---|
| Local | $1.49–$1.99 | $1.49–$1.79 |
| Domestic (long-distance) | $1.99–$2.29 | $1.79–$2.09 |
| International (Canada/Mexico) | $2.99–$3.99 | $2.49–$3.49 |
| International (other countries) | $4.99–$7.99 | $3.49–$5.99 |
| Incoming fax | ~$1.00 | ~$1.00 |
A few things to know about pricing:
- Prices are set per-store and can differ significantly between locations.
- Some locations charge for failed transmissions (busy signal, wrong number). Ask before sending.
- Cover sheets are usually free but can be charged at the same per-page rate at some locations.
- Tax may apply depending on your state.
Use the calculator below to see how costs add up before you drive to the store:
Office Depot Fax Cost Calculator
The math is sobering. A 10-page domestic fax at Office Depot costs roughly $20–$22 — before travel time. That same fax via mFax costs a fraction of that and takes two minutes from your phone.
How to Send a Fax at Office Depot
Confirm Your Store Has Fax Service
Visit officedepot.com/storelocator and search by ZIP code. Filter by "Faxing Services." Then call the store directly to confirm the fax machine is working.
Prepare Your Documents
Organize your pages in order. Have a cover sheet ready with the recipient's name, fax number, your name, callback number, and total page count. Office Depot can provide a blank cover sheet form, or you can generate one free at mFax.to/fax-cover-sheet.
Go to the Print & Copy Center
Head to the Print & Copy Center inside the store. Most locations have a self-service fax machine here, though some offer staff-assisted faxing. Both options are available depending on the store.
Load Your Documents and Dial
Place your documents in the fax machine's document feeder. For domestic faxes, dial 1 + area code + number. For international faxes, dial 011 + country code + number. Press Send and wait for the transmission to complete.
Get Your Confirmation Page
Once the fax completes, the machine prints a confirmation receipt showing the date, time, recipient number, page count, and transmission status. Keep this. It's your proof of delivery.
Pay at the Service Desk
Take your confirmation page to the service desk and pay based on the number of pages sent.
How to Receive a Fax at Office Depot
Some Office Depot locations allow incoming faxes, but this is not universal. Here's how it works at locations that support it:
- Call your local Office Depot and ask for their fax number.
- Give that number to the sender along with your name and the number of pages expected.
- The sender transmits the fax to the store's machine.
- You go to the store, provide your name, and pay approximately $1 per page to receive the document.
Incoming Fax Is Not Guaranteed
Receiving faxes at Office Depot is less common than sending. Many locations have moved away from this service. Always call first — and ask specifically about the incoming fax process, not just whether they "offer faxing."
Office Depot vs. Other In-Store Fax Options
If your nearest Office Depot doesn't have fax, or if the price feels too high, here are your in-person alternatives:
| Location | Local Price (per page) | Domestic (per page) | International |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office Depot / OfficeMax | $1.49–$1.99 | $1.99–$2.49 | $2.99–$7.99 |
| FedEx Office | ~$1.89 (first), $1.59 (add'l) | ~$2.49 (first), $2.19 (add'l) | ~$5.99+ |
| UPS Store | ~$1.00–$2.00 | ~$2.00–$3.00 | ~$3.00–$5.00+ |
| Staples | ~$1.99–$2.00 | ~$2.00–$2.20 | varies |
| Public Library | $0.25–$1.00 | $0.25–$1.00 | often unavailable |
Key takeaways from this comparison:
- Public libraries are the cheapest walk-in option, though they often can't handle international faxes.
- UPS Store pricing is competitive with Office Depot and has broader locations in urban areas.
- FedEx Office is the most consistently available (nearly 2,000 US locations) but similarly priced.
- For all of these, the cost per page is dramatically higher than any online fax service.
For more location guides, see:
- Faxing at UPS Store: Pricing & Alternatives
- Fax at CVS: What to Expect
- Fax at Staples: Step-by-Step Guide
- Fax at a Library Near You
When Does Faxing at Office Depot Make Sense?
Office Depot faxing is the right call in these situations:
- You have physical-only documents that can't be scanned (thick folders, bound materials).
- You need a same-day confirmation that you can hand to someone immediately.
- You're already at the store for other office supplies and have one or two pages to fax.
- You don't own a smartphone or computer and have no way to use an online service.
For most other situations, the per-page cost and travel time make in-store faxing hard to justify.
A Faster, Cheaper Alternative: mFax
mFax lets you send and receive faxes from your phone, computer, or browser — no fax machine, no store trip, no waiting in line.
Here's what you get:
- Send faxes in under 2 minutes — upload a PDF or snap a photo of your document and send
- Works on any device — iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, or any web browser
- Delivery confirmation — get a receipt for every fax you send
- 5 million+ users trust mFax — 4.8-star App Store rating
- Dramatically cheaper — a 10-page domestic fax that costs $20+ at Office Depot costs a fraction with mFax
Pricing:
| Plan | Cost | Pages |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly | $6.99 | Unlimited |
| Monthly | $19.99 | Unlimited |
| Annual | $74.00 | Unlimited |
For one-time use, the weekly plan at $6.99 lets you send unlimited faxes for seven days — far less than a single multi-page fax at Office Depot.
Ready to Skip the Store?
Try mFax free — upload your document, enter the fax number, and send. No fax machine. No trip. No waiting.
What About Sensitive Documents?
Office Depot's fax machines are shared, self-service devices in a public store environment. Staff may handle your documents. This is not suitable for:
- HIPAA-regulated medical records — Office Depot doesn't sign Business Associate Agreements (BAAs)
- Legal documents with privileged content
- Financial documents with account numbers or SSNs
If you need to fax sensitive documents, use a service designed for it. mFax Business offers HIPAA-compliant faxing with encryption, audit logs, and BAA support — starting at about $9/mo (billed annually). You build your own plan with a live calculator, choosing the exact seats and pages you need and paying only for what you use, so there are no rigid fixed tiers.
See our full guide: Is Faxing HIPAA Compliant?
The Bottom Line
Office Depot does offer fax services at most locations, but it comes with real trade-offs: limited availability, per-page costs that add up fast, and a store visit that takes time and money.
For the occasional one- or two-page fax when you're already at the store, it's a serviceable option. But for anything longer, more frequent, or involving sensitive documents, mFax saves you time, money, and hassle — from wherever you are.
Start faxing with mFax — it takes less than a minute to sign up.