By David Thompson · Published November 28, 2024 · Updated June 8, 2026 · 10 min read
Need to fax a document but not sure where to go? You're not alone. Every year, millions of Americans find themselves searching for a fax machine — whether it's for a tax form, medical record, legal contract, or insurance document.
The short answer: The UPS Store, FedEx Office, Staples, and Office Depot are your most reliable in-person options in 2026. Public libraries are cheapest. And if you want to skip the trip entirely, the mFax app lets you send a fax from your phone in under 2 minutes.
This guide covers every option — who has working machines, what it costs, and how to choose the right one for your situation.
Skip the trip entirely
mFax.to lets you fax any document from your iPhone or Android in under 2 minutes. Upload a PDF or snap a photo, enter the fax number, and send. No store, no line, no wait. Over 5 million users trust it.
Quick Reference: Every Option at a Glance
| Location | Fax Available | Typical Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The UPS Store | YES | $1.00–$3.00/page | 5,000+ locations nationwide |
| FedEx Office | YES | $1.89–$2.49/page | ~2,200 locations |
| Staples | YES | $1.79–$2.39/page | ~922 locations |
| Office Depot / OfficeMax | YES | $1.49–$2.49/page | ~830 locations |
| Public Library | YES | Free–$1.75/page | Varies by branch; call ahead |
| Hotel Business Center | YES | $1.50–$3.00/page | Registered guests only |
| PostalAnnex / Mail Centers | YES | $1.00–$2.00/page | Urban areas; independently owned |
| Walgreens | NO | — | Pharmacy-only machines; no public access |
| CVS | NO | — | Pharmacy-only machines; no public access |
| Walmart | NO | — | Sells fax machines but offers no service |
| USPS Post Office | NO | — | Not a standard service; do not rely on |
Where to Fax a Document Near You
The UPS Store — Most Locations, Most Reliable
The UPS Store is the most consistent in-person fax option in the country, with more than 5,000 locations across all 50 states. Most are open Monday through Friday 8 AM–7 PM and Saturday 9 AM–5 PM.
Pricing:
- Local fax: $1.00–$3.00 for the first page; $0.50–$2.00 per additional page
- International fax: $3.00–$5.00 for the first page; $1.00–$3.00 per additional page
- Receiving a fax: ~$1.00–$2.00 per page (held for pickup)
Because UPS Store locations are independently franchised, prices vary. A location in Manhattan may charge more than one in a suburban strip mall. Always call ahead to confirm pricing and machine availability.
UPS Store tip
Ask if the fax machine is self-service or staff-assisted. Staff-assisted faxes sometimes cost more per page. If the machine is available for self-service, you may pay a lower rate.
FedEx Office — Consistent Pricing, Good Hours
FedEx Office (formerly Kinko's) has about 2,200 locations nationwide and offers some of the most consistent fax pricing of any retail chain. Many locations are open evenings and weekends; a handful operate 24/7.
Pricing:
- Local fax: $1.89 (first page) + $1.59 per additional page
- Long-distance: $2.49 (first page) + $2.19 per additional page
- International: $5.99 (first page) + $3.99 per additional page
- Cover page: $0.50–$1.00 extra
One important note: FedEx charges approximately $1.00 even when a fax fails — due to a busy line, wrong number, or the receiving machine being off. If your fax attempt fails, you're still on the hook for the setup fee.
Read our full FedEx Office fax guide for a complete walkthrough.
Staples — Good Self-Service Option
Staples offers fax services through its Copy & Print Center in about 922 U.S. locations. The chain has been closing stores in recent years, so check the Staples store locator before making the trip.
Pricing:
- Local fax: $1.79 (first page) + $1.59 per additional page
- Long-distance: $2.39 (first page) + $2.19 per additional page
- International: $5.99 (first page) + $3.99 per additional page
- Receiving: ~$1.00/page, held 24–48 hours
Staples typically has self-service fax stations in its Print area, and staff in the Copy & Print Center can assist if you have trouble. Hours are generally Mon–Fri 8 AM–9 PM, Sat 9 AM–7 PM, Sun 10 AM–6 PM.
See our full how to fax at Staples guide for step-by-step instructions.
Office Depot / OfficeMax — Competitive Rates
Office Depot and OfficeMax (now merged) have about 830 U.S. locations and offer fax services through their in-store print centers.
Pricing:
- Local fax: $1.49–$1.99 per page
- Long-distance: $1.99–$2.49 per page
- International: $2.99–$4.99 per page (Canada/Mexico lower; Asia higher)
Office Depot pricing can be slightly lower than UPS and FedEx for multi-page documents, making it a good option if there's one convenient to you. Like the others, pricing and availability vary by store — call ahead.
See our full Office Depot fax guide for details.
Public Libraries — Cheapest In-Person Option
If cost is your priority, your local public library may be the best option. About 35% of U.S. public libraries offer fax services, and rates are significantly lower than retail stores.
Typical pricing:
- Free for library cardholders (at some branches)
- $0.25–$1.75 per page outgoing
- Up to $5.00 per page for international faxes
The catch: availability varies enormously by branch. Some libraries have removed their fax machines entirely. Call your local branch to confirm before going. Library hours are typically Mon–Thu 9 AM–8 PM, Fri–Sat 9 AM–5 PM.
See our library fax guide for what to bring and what to expect.
Hotel Business Centers
If you're traveling, most hotel business centers offer fax services for registered guests at approximately $1.50–$3.00 per page. Some upscale hotels include fax receiving for guests at no charge — useful if you need to receive a fax while on the road.
Business centers typically operate 24/7 at larger hotels, though staffing hours vary. Privacy is limited since these are shared spaces; not ideal for sensitive medical or legal documents.
PostalAnnex and Independent Mail Centers
In urban areas, PostalAnnex, The Postal Center, and independent copy shops are solid alternatives to the big chains. They typically charge $1.00–$2.00 per page for local faxes and can also hold incoming faxes for pickup. Find them via a Google Maps search for "fax service" or "copy center."
What About Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart?
These stores do NOT offer fax services
Walgreens and CVS both have fax machines, but they are pharmacy-only equipment used exclusively to receive prescriptions from physicians. Customers cannot use them. Walmart does not offer fax services at any of its 4,600+ locations — it sells fax machines but provides no fax service. Do not make a trip to any of these stores expecting to fax a document.
What About USPS?
USPS does not offer fax service as a standard national service. While a small number of individual post offices may have a fax machine at their customer service desk, this is rare, inconsistent, and declining. Do not count on USPS for faxing — use UPS Store, FedEx Office, or Staples instead.
For a full breakdown, see our guide: Can You Fax at the Post Office?
How to Find a Fax Service Near You Right Now
The fastest way to find an open fax location:
- Google Maps: Search "fax service near me" or "fax machine near me." Google uses your location to show rated, nearby options with live hours and contact info.
- Call ahead: Always call to confirm the machine is working and get the current price. Machines break, and store policies change.
- Use store locators: The UPS Store (theupsstore.com), FedEx Office (office.fedex.com), and Staples all have store locators that list available services.
- Yelp: Filter by "open now" and read recent reviews — users often flag broken machines or hidden fees.
- Check your bank: Many banks and credit unions offer free fax service to account holders — an underused option worth a quick call.
Always call before you go
Fax machines break down, get removed, or run out of toner. Calling ahead takes 2 minutes and saves you a wasted trip. Confirm: (1) the machine is working, (2) current pricing, and (3) whether they can receive faxes if you need that.
How Much Does It Really Cost? Use the Calculator
Store vs. mFax Cost Calculator
A 10-page fax at The UPS Store can cost $21 or more. The same fax through mFax costs $1.99. For anyone sending more than a page or two, the math quickly favors an online service.
How to Prepare Your Document for Faxing
Before you head to a store (or send from your phone), make sure your document is ready:
- Use clean originals. Handwritten notes, coffee stains, and folded edges don't transmit well. Use flat, clean pages.
- Set your document to black and white. Color documents fax as grayscale; complex color images often come out muddy or illegible.
- Remove staples and clips. These jam machines and damage documents. If you're faxing multi-page documents at a store, the staff may ask you to remove them.
- Include a cover sheet. Most sensitive documents (medical, legal, financial) should include a fax cover sheet with the recipient's name, fax number, and your contact info. Use our free fax cover sheet generator if you need one.
- Know the recipient's fax number. Confirm the number in advance. An incorrect fax number wastes your money and sends your document to the wrong place.
- Have a PDF ready. If you're using an online fax service, PDF is the most reliable format. Use our free document converter to convert Word, JPEG, or other formats to PDF before sending.
Skip the Trip: Fax From Your Phone With mFax
Going to a store to fax a document costs time, money, and fuel. The mFax app solves all three.
How it works:
- Download the mFax app (iPhone or Android — free to download)
- Upload your PDF or scan your document with your phone's camera
- Enter the recipient's fax number
- Tap Send — your fax is delivered in minutes with a confirmation receipt
mFax works 24/7, from anywhere. No lines, no store hours, no travel. And at a fraction of what stores charge — a 10-page fax costs $1.99 vs. $15–$25 at a retail location.
Over 5 million users have sent faxes with mFax, with a 98% delivery success rate and a 4.8-star App Store rating.
For personal faxing, the mFax app is the fastest and cheapest solution.
For business teams, mFax Business adds virtual fax numbers, HIPAA-ready compliance, team accounts, and a web dashboard — 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, instead of being boxed into fixed tiers.
Which Option Should You Choose?
| Your Situation | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Need to fax right now, don't have a smartphone | UPS Store or FedEx Office |
| Want the cheapest in-person option | Public library |
| Need 24/7 access | FedEx Office (some locations) or mFax app |
| Have 5+ pages to fax | mFax app (saves $10–$20 vs. stores) |
| Need to receive a fax | UPS Store, FedEx Office, or Staples |
| Traveling and at a hotel | Hotel business center or mFax app |
| Need HIPAA-compliant faxing | mFax Business |
| Want free faxing | Public library (cardholders) or FaxZero (up to 5 pages) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I fax for free near me?
Public libraries are the most common source of free faxing — if you have a library card, many branches offer fax service at no charge. Some banks and credit unions also offer free fax service to account holders. Online, FaxZero lets you send up to 5 pages to U.S. or Canadian numbers for free (ad-supported, no registration required).
Is there a 24-hour fax service near me?
Some FedEx Office and UPS Store locations operate 24/7, but it depends on the specific store. Check the store locator or call ahead to confirm. The most reliable 24/7 faxing option is an online service like mFax — available any time, from anywhere.
Can I fax at a bank or credit union?
Yes — and this is an underused option. Many banks and credit unions offer free fax service to account holders at their branch locations. Call your local branch and ask before making a separate trip to a copy center.
Can I fax a document from my computer?
Yes. Several online fax services let you send faxes directly from your browser or computer without any app. You upload a PDF or image file, enter the fax number, and send. Services like mFax.to, eFax, and Fax.Plus all offer web-based faxing. This is often faster and cheaper than going to a store.
See our complete guide: How to Fax From Your Computer
Faxing a document in 2026 doesn't require a trip to a copy center. Whether you need to send a one-page form or a 20-page contract, mFax gets it done in under 2 minutes from your phone. No store hours. No lines. No wasted trip.