Does Staples Fax? Cost, Hours, and Faster Alternatives in 2025

If you’re Googling “does Staples fax,” you probably just need to get a document sent right now and don’t want any surprises.

Short answer: Yes, many Staples locations still offer fax services in 2025 — but not all of them, and the cost can add up fast. You’ll usually pay a few dollars per page, deal with store hours, and stand at a public counter while your paperwork goes through.

If you’d rather skip the drive and send a fax straight from your phone or computer in a couple of minutes, you can use a secure online fax service like our secure online fax homepage instead. Let’s walk through both options so you can decide what makes sense for you.

Does Staples Still Fax Documents in 2025?

Yes, Staples still offers fax services at many of its stores. The catch is that services can vary by location. Some stores have scaled back print and fax areas, and a few locations have stopped faxing entirely.

In a typical store that still faxes, here’s what you’ll get:

• Outgoing fax service (you send documents).
• Incoming fax service (they receive documents for you).
• Local, long-distance, and international fax options.
• Staff at the print & marketing counter who handle the machine.

Real example: You show up with a stack of forms for your insurance company. The associate takes your papers, keys in the number, sends the fax from their terminal, then hands you a confirmation page if it goes through.

Takeaway: Staples does faxing at many stores, but you should always call ahead so you don’t waste a trip.

How Much Does It Cost to Fax at Staples?

Here’s where most people get surprised. Faxing at Staples isn’t usually cheap, especially if you’re sending multiple pages or an international fax.

Typical ballpark pricing many customers report in the U.S. looks something like this (your local store may be a bit higher or lower):

• Local faxes: roughly $1.50–$3.00 per page.
• Long-distance faxes: roughly $2.50–$6.00+ per page.
• International faxes: often $7.00–$10.00+ per page.
• Incoming faxes: usually $1.00–$2.00 per page received.

Those numbers add up fast. If you have a 10-page packet going to an out-of-state court or a lender, you might be looking at $20–$40+ for a single fax.

By the way, prices aren’t always clearly posted online. They can change by region and over time, so if you’re on a tight budget, it’s worth calling your local store to confirm.

Takeaway: Faxing at Staples is convenient if you’re already there, but it’s rarely the cheapest option, especially for longer or international faxes.

How Faxing at Staples Works (Step-by-Step)

If you decide to use Staples, here’s the basic process you can expect at most stores:

1. Get Your Documents Ready

• Print your documents before you go, or print them at Staples for an extra fee.
• Know the fax number you’re sending to (double-check you have the correct number).
• If needed, bring a cover sheet or ask the associate if they can add one for you.

Takeaway: Have everything organized before you walk into the store to avoid extra time and costs.

2. Go to the Print & Marketing Counter

• Tell the associate you want to send a fax.
• Hand them your documents and the recipient’s fax number.
• They’ll type in the number, load the pages, and start the fax.

Most stores won’t let you operate the business fax machine yourself for security and billing reasons.

Takeaway: Faxing at Staples is a staff-assisted service, not self-serve.

3. Wait for the Fax to Complete

• The machine will dial out, send each page, and print a status report.
• If it fails (busy line, wrong number, poor connection), you may have to try again.
• Each attempt still takes time, which matters if you’re in a rush.

Honestly, this is the part that trips people up the most — they think it’s instant, but sometimes you’re just standing there watching the machine struggle.

Takeaway: Budget a few extra minutes in case the fax line is busy or fails on the first try.

4. Pay at the Counter

• Once the fax is sent, you’ll pay based on the number of pages and destination.
• Keep your receipt and confirmation page in case the recipient claims they didn’t get it.

Takeaway: Always keep the confirmation sheet — it’s your proof the fax went through on your end.

The Downsides of Faxing at Staples (What Most People Don’t Think About)

On paper, Staples sounds simple: walk in, send fax, leave. In real life, there are a few drawbacks you don’t really notice until you’re in the middle of it.

1. Limited Hours

Staples is not 24/7. If you need to send something late at night, early in the morning, or on a holiday, you may be out of luck. Some locations also have shorter Sunday hours or are closed on certain days.

Takeaway: If your deadline is tight, relying on store hours can be risky.

2. Privacy Concerns

You’re often standing at a public counter while medical, legal, financial, or employment documents are being faxed. Other customers can be right next to you. Staff may see sensitive details by accident.

If you’re sending things like pay stubs, bank statements, Social Security numbers, or medical forms, that’s not ideal.

Takeaway: If privacy really matters, faxing from home on a secure online system is usually safer.

3. Drive Time and Waiting

Even if the fax itself only takes a few minutes, you still have:

• Drive time to the store.
• Parking and walking in.
• Waiting behind other print/ship customers.
• Standing there while the fax goes through.

That’s how a “quick fax” can turn into a 30–45 minute errand.

Takeaway: If you’re already slammed, turning faxing into a separate trip is just one more headache.

4. Cost for Multi-Page or International Faxes

This is where the math gets ugly. A 15-page long-distance fax or a stack of forms going overseas can easily cross the $30+ mark. For a lot of people, that’s way more than they expected to pay.

Takeaway: Staples is fine for a couple of pages, but it’s expensive for anything big or international.

A Faster Option: Fax From Your Phone in Minutes

If you don’t care about where the fax is sent from — you just want it sent reliably — using an online fax service is usually easier. You can send a fax straight from your phone, tablet, or computer without leaving the house.

With a service like SendAFaxNow.com, you can:

• Upload a PDF, Word document, or image.
• Type in the recipient’s fax number.
• Send it securely from your browser.
• Get a confirmation without going anywhere.

You don’t need a fax machine, a printer, or a trip to the store. And you can do it at midnight if that’s when you finally find time to deal with it.

Takeaway: If you have a smartphone and an internet connection, driving to a store just to send a fax is optional now.

Staples vs SendAFaxNow.com (Straightforward Comparison)

If you’d like to see who’s behind the service you’re using, you can learn more about who we are and how we handle faxing securely for real people who just want the job done.

Takeaway: If you value time, privacy, and flexibility, online fax usually beats driving to Staples.

When It Still Makes Sense to Fax at Staples

To be fair, there are times when faxing at Staples is perfectly reasonable.

• You’re already shopping there and only have a page or two.
• You don’t want to use a card online and prefer to pay at a counter.
• You don’t have a smartphone or internet access at home.
• You’re more comfortable having a person handle it for you.

If that’s you, no problem. Just call ahead, confirm they still fax, and maybe ask for a quick price estimate so you’re not shocked at checkout.

Takeaway: Staples is still a decent option if you’re already inside the store and just need a quick, small fax.

How to Decide: Staples vs Online Fax (Simple Guide)

If you’re stuck choosing between driving to Staples or using an online fax site, here’s a simple way to decide.

Choose Staples If:

• You’re already going to Staples anyway.
• You only have 1–3 pages to fax.
• You don’t mind store hours or public counters.
• You’d rather pay in person.

Choose an Online Fax Service If:

• You want to send a fax from home, work, or your car.
• You have multiple pages or send faxes more than once in a while.
• Privacy and security matter — especially for medical, legal, or financial paperwork.
• You don’t want to drive, wait, or guess what the total will be.

And if you’re not sure, you can always start by checking out our fax near you guide to see your options and decide what’s easiest for your situation.

If you need help with a specific document or you’re nervous about sending something important, you can also contact us for help and get your question answered before you send anything.

Takeaway: If you’re in a rush, value privacy, or hate extra errands, online faxing is usually the better move.

FAQ (Updated for 2025)

Does Staples fax documents at every location?

No. Not every Staples location still offers fax services. Many do, but some have changed their print and marketing setup over the last few years. It’s always smart to call your local store and ask, “Do you still send and receive faxes here?” before you drive over.

How much does it cost to fax at Staples?

Typical U.S. pricing many customers report is roughly $1.50–$3.00 per page for local faxes, higher for long-distance, and significantly more for international faxes — often $7.00–$10.00+ per page. Prices vary by store and can change over time, so consider these rough ranges, not exact quotes.

Can I send and receive faxes at Staples?

Most Staples locations that still fax will let you send and receive faxes. For incoming faxes, the store usually gives you their fax number, and you’ll pay per page they receive for you. Make sure to ask how long they hold incoming faxes and what ID or details they’ll need when you pick them up.

Does Staples fax for free?

In general, no — faxing at Staples is not free. You pay per page, and the price is higher for long-distance or international faxes. If you’re trying to save money, compare that cost to a flat-fee online fax service where you can send from home without paying per page at a store counter.

Is it cheaper to fax at Staples or online?

For one or two local pages, the difference may not be huge. But once you get into longer documents, repeated faxes, or international faxing, online services are often cheaper and a lot more convenient. You avoid per-page surprises, the drive to the store, and waiting in line.

What if I need to fax something late at night or on the weekend?

If your deadline doesn’t care about store hours, Staples may not help you much. Stores close. Online fax services don’t. You can send a fax from your phone or laptop any time — weekends, holidays, late nights — without hoping a store is open. That’s why a lot of people are shifting from “Where can I fax?” to “How do I fax from my phone?”