Aside from the rest of the PITA process, a notary isn't free. Cheapest I know of around here is $10.
You can often get stuff notarized for free at your bank
I'd like to know where you bank?
I've been told the same thing in the past, went to the bank and got to the notary, who then asked me what I needed before referring me to an outside notary. Turned out both my banks are only free for banking related documents. Eg, if I want to close a loan there.