Fax at Staples or Office Depot? Compare Cost, Privacy & Convenience to Online Fax
Before you drive to Staples or Office Depot and pay $1.49-$1.99 per page, compare sending the same fax from your phone or computer for a flat $3.50-$5.00. No account, no subscription, U.S. and Canada numbers. You only pay if the fax goes through.
Staples & Office Depot
- •Per-page pricing: $1.49-$1.99+ local, up to $5.99 international
- •In-store only, during store hours (typically closes 6-9 PM)
- •Public machines; documents visible to staff and other customers
- •Charged even if the fax fails to deliver
OneFaxNow
- Flat $3.50 (1-10 pages) or $5.00 (11-50 pages)
- 100% online, 24/7 from any browser or phone
- Private uploads; optional HIPAA Mode with BAA and audit logs
- Pay only on successful delivery. Failed fax = no charge.
They Charge You Even When the Fax Fails. We Don't.
Both Staples and Office Depot typically charge you for fax transmissions regardless of whether the fax actually reaches the recipient. If the line is busy, the number is wrong, or the machine on the other end jams, you still pay. OneFaxNow works differently: your card is authorized upfront, but we only capture payment after confirmed delivery. If the fax fails after up to 3 automatic retries, you pay nothing. Zero.
Your cost when a fax fails
Retail: $1.49-$5.99+
(you still pay)
Your cost when a fax fails
OneFaxNow: $0.00
(pay only on success)
Should You Fax at Staples or Office Depot -- or Send It Online Instead?
Staples / Office Depot fax is okay if:
- You are already in the store picking up supplies or printing
- You only need to fax 1-2 non-sensitive pages
- You prefer paying in cash at a register
- You don't mind per-page pricing and potential wait times
OneFaxNow is usually better if:
- You are sending more than 2-3 pages (flat rate saves real money)
- You would rather fax from home, the office, or your phone
- Your documents are sensitive: tax forms with SSN, legal filings, insurance claims
- You need HIPAA compliance with a BAA for medical records or PHI
- The store is closed, too far, or the fax machine is broken
- You want confirmation that the fax was actually delivered before paying
Savings Example: A 10-page local fax costs roughly $16.10 at Staples (before tax). The same 10-page fax costs $3.50 flat at OneFaxNow -- and you never leave home.
How to Fax at Staples and Office Depot (Step-by-Step)
If you do decide to fax at Staples or Office Depot, here is what to expect. Understanding the process also makes it clear why many people prefer to skip the trip entirely.
How to Fax at Staples
- 1
Find a Staples with fax service
Not every Staples location has a working fax machine. Call ahead or check Staples.com to confirm your nearest store offers fax through their Copy and Print Center. As of early 2026, Staples has roughly 922 U.S. locations (down from 1,040+ in 2022).
- 2
Bring your documents (or print them there)
If your documents are digital, you will need to print them first. You can bring a USB drive or log into cloud storage at a Staples self-service kiosk, but printing adds $0.10-$0.50 per page to your total cost.
- 3
Go to the Copy and Print Center
Head to the print counter at the back of the store. During busy periods, expect a 10-20 minute wait. Some locations offer self-service fax machines; others require staff assistance.
- 4
Fill out the cover sheet and dial the number
The staff member or self-service machine will prompt you for the destination fax number. Cover pages are typically included at no additional charge.
- 5
Feed your pages and wait for transmission
The machine will scan and transmit each page. For a 10-page fax, this can take several minutes. If the line is busy, you may need to try again.
- 6
Pay at the register
Pricing is per page: roughly $1.49-$1.79 for the first local page, $1.49-$1.59 for each additional. National faxes run $2.39/$2.19, and international starts at $5.99/$3.99. Plus sales tax (6-10% depending on state).
How to Fax at Office Depot (and OfficeMax)
Office Depot and OfficeMax merged in 2013 and operate under the same company. The fax process and pricing are the same at both.
- 1
Locate an Office Depot or OfficeMax with fax service
There are roughly 830 Office Depot/OfficeMax locations in the U.S. as of late 2025, down from 1,912 in 2013. The company went private in December 2025 under Atlas Holdings, and store counts continue to decline. Call ahead to verify fax availability.
- 2
Bring printed documents or print on-site
Like Staples, you need physical paper to fax. Digital files must be printed first at their self-service stations.
- 3
Visit the print services counter
Head to the print center and let staff know you need to send a fax. Some locations have self-service options.
- 4
Provide the fax number and documents
Staff will handle the transmission. Cover pages are generally free.
- 5
Pay per page at the register
Local faxes run $1.49-$1.99 per page. National is $1.99-$2.49 per page. International ranges from $2.99 (Canada/Mexico) to $4.99 (Asia) per page. Plus sales tax.
Or skip all of that. Upload your document at onefaxnow.com, enter the fax number, and pay $3.50 flat for up to 10 pages. Done from your couch.
Send Fax NowStaples vs Office Depot vs OneFaxNow: 2026 Fax Pricing Compared
Staples and Office Depot both use per-page pricing that varies by store location and destination. OneFaxNow uses simple flat-rate tiers. Here is how they compare across common fax sizes. Retail prices shown are typical ranges; always confirm with your local store.
| Pages | Staples (local, typical) | Office Depot (local, typical) | OneFaxNow | Your Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 page | ~$1.79 | ~$1.49-$1.99 | $3.50 | Retail is cheaper for a single page |
| 3 pages | ~$4.97 | ~$4.47-$5.97 | $3.50 | Save $1.47-$2.47 with OneFaxNow |
| 5 pages | ~$8.15 | ~$7.45-$9.95 | $3.50 | Save $3.95-$6.45 with OneFaxNow |
| 10 pages | ~$16.10 | ~$14.90-$19.90 | $3.50 | Save $11.40-$16.40 with OneFaxNow |
| 20 pages | ~$32.02 | ~$29.80-$39.80 | $5.00 | Save $24.80-$34.80 with OneFaxNow |
| 30 pages | ~$65.80 | ~$44.70-$59.70 | $5.00 | Save $39.70-$60.80 with OneFaxNow |
| 50 pages | ~$97.58 | ~$74.50-$99.50 | $5.00 | Save $69.50-$92.58 with OneFaxNow |
Retail prices are estimates based on typical 2026 store pricing and do not include sales tax (6-10%). Prices vary by store location. OneFaxNow prices are fixed and include all fees.
OneFaxNow
- Lite: $3.50 flat (1-10 pages)
- Standard: $5.00 flat (11-50 pages)
- HIPAA Lite: $6.50 (1-10 pages, includes BAA)
- HIPAA Standard: $10.00 (11-50 pages, includes BAA)
- Pay only if delivery succeeds
- Up to 3 automatic retries at no extra charge
Staples Fax Pricing
- Local: $1.49-$1.79 first page, $1.49-$1.59 additional
- National: $2.39 first page, $2.19 additional
- International: $5.99 first page, $3.99 additional
- Receiving: $1.00 per page
- Cover page: Usually free
- Sales tax additional (6-10%)
Office Depot / OfficeMax Pricing
- Local: $1.49-$1.99 per page
- National: $1.99-$2.49 per page
- International (Canada/Mexico): $2.99 per page
- International (Europe): $3.99 per page
- International (Asia): $4.99 per page
- Receiving: $1.00 per page
- Cover page: Free
For a single local page, Staples or Office Depot is cheaper. By the time you hit 3 pages, OneFaxNow is already saving you money -- and that is before you factor in gas, time, and the risk of paying for a failed fax.
International Fax: Where Retail Pricing Gets Painful
Need to fax something to Canada, Europe, or Asia? This is where per-page retail pricing really hurts. OneFaxNow charges the same flat rate for all U.S. and Canada fax numbers.
Scenario: 5-page fax to a Canadian number
Staples
$5.99 first page + $3.99 x 4 = $21.95 + tax
Office Depot
$2.99 x 5 = $14.95 + tax
OneFaxNow
$3.50 flat (Canada is included at no extra charge)
A 5-page international fax can cost $15-$26 at Staples or Office Depot. The same fax to a Canadian number costs $3.50 with OneFaxNow. That is up to $22 saved on a single fax.
OneFaxNow currently covers U.S. and Canada fax numbers. For faxes to other countries, a retail location or international fax service may be your best option.
The Real Cost of Faxing at Staples (It Is More Than Per-Page Price)
When you compare fax services, per-page pricing tells only part of the story. Here is what a typical 15-page fax actually costs when you factor in everything.
| Cost Item | Estimated Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 15 pages at Staples (local) | ~$24.05 | $1.79 first + $1.59 x 14 |
| Sales tax (8% average) | ~$1.92 | |
| Round-trip drive (10 miles avg) | ~$5.00-$8.00 | IRS rate $0.70/mile or gas + wear |
| Your time (30-45 min total) | Priceless | Drive + parking + wait + transmission |
| Printing if documents are digital | $1.50-$7.50 | $0.10-$0.50/page |
| Risk of failed transmission | Full price again | Retail charges even on failure |
Total at Staples (15 pages)
~$32-$42+
(time not included)
Total at OneFaxNow (15 pages)
$5.00 flat
From your couch. Pay only on success.
The posted per-page price at the counter is not the full picture. Once you add travel, time, tax, printing, and the risk of a failed fax, a trip to Staples or Office Depot can easily cost $30-$50+ for a multi-page document.
Why "Fax Near Me" Is Getting Harder to Find
When people search "fax near me," they often expect Staples, Office Depot, UPS Store, or FedEx Office to have machines ready. But the retail fax landscape is shrinking.
Staples
922 U.S. locations
Down from 1,040+ in 2022. Owned by Sycamore Partners (private since 2017).
Office Depot / OfficeMax
~830 U.S. locations
Down from 1,912 in 2013. Cut 60 stores in the past year. Went private under Atlas Holdings in December 2025.
UPS Store
5,500+ U.S. locations
Pricing varies widely by location ($1-$7/page).
Public Library
Varies
About 35% offer free fax, 30% paid, 35% no service. Limited hours.
Combined, Staples and Office Depot have lost over 1,000 stores in the past decade. Both companies are now privately held and continuing to consolidate. The store closest to you today may not be there next year. Meanwhile, searching "fax near me" at 8 PM on a Sunday means you are out of luck -- retail print centers are closed.
Instead of searching for "fax near me" and hoping a store has a working machine, you can fax from wherever you are, whenever you need to. OneFaxNow works 24/7 from any browser or phone. No account required.
How to Send a Fax Online with OneFaxNow (Instead of Driving to a Store)
- 1
Go to onefaxnow.com
Open it on your phone, tablet, or computer. No app download required (though we also have an Android app with a built-in document scanner).
- 2
Upload your documents
Drag and drop or tap to select. We accept PDF, Word, Excel, images, and more. Up to 15 files per fax, up to 50 pages total. No need to print anything first.
- 3
Enter the fax number and your email
Any U.S. or Canada fax number. Add an optional cover page with recipient name, subject, and message. Toggle HIPAA Mode if you are sending medical records or PHI.
- 4
Review and pay
1-10 pages: $3.50. 11-50 pages: $5.00. HIPAA add-on: +$3 or +$5. Pay with card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Your card is authorized but not charged yet.
- 5
Track delivery in real time
Watch your fax status update live. If the line is busy, we retry automatically up to 3 times at no extra charge. You get an email confirmation when delivered. If it fails after all retries, your card is never charged.
Is It Safe to Fax Personal Information at Staples or Office Depot?
This is a question real people ask before faxing tax returns, Social Security cards, medical records, or legal documents at a retail store. The honest answer: it depends on your risk tolerance.
At Staples & Office Depot
- •Your documents are visible to other customers and store employees in a public area
- •Fax machines may store copies of transmitted documents in internal memory. As one Bogleheads forum user noted: "Big printer/copier/fax machines at work can store copies of faxed documents and can generate automatic reports with an image of the first page."
- •Outgoing faxes may sit in output trays until you retrieve them
- •If you log into cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox) on a public Staples kiosk, your credentials could be at risk
- •Another Bogleheads user put it bluntly: "I am not a fan of Faxing documents with confidential data such as SSN from a Staples"
- •Retail fax counters do not sign Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) for walk-in customers, meaning they are not accountable under HIPAA for your medical documents
With OneFaxNow
- Upload files directly from your own device over a secure (TLS) connection
- No public machines, no shared memory, no paper sitting in a tray
- Files are processed and deleted after transmission. Standard mode retains files only as long as needed. HIPAA Mode enforces stricter handling with automatic PHI deletion and immutable audit logs.
- HIPAA Mode includes an instant digital BAA and a HIPAA Audit Dashboard with exportable logs -- something no retail fax counter offers walk-in customers
- Up to 3 automatic retries if the line is busy, so you are not standing at a counter re-feeding pages
If you are faxing medical records, prior authorizations, or any document containing PHI, retail fax counters are not designed for HIPAA compliance. OneFaxNow's HIPAA Mode is.
Learn About HIPAA FaxStaples Fax Machine Broken? Here Is What to Do.
It happens more often than you would think. You drive to Staples or Office Depot, find the Copy and Print Center, and the fax machine is out of order -- paper jam, frozen touchscreen, or simply offline. One customer at a Staples in Waldorf, MD reported the machine froze during a 34-page fax and they were still charged $82.53.
Try another store
Drive to the next Staples, Office Depot, or UPS Store. Add another 20-30 minutes to your trip and hope their machine works.
Come back later
If your fax is not urgent, you can wait for the machine to be repaired. But if it is a deadline-driven document -- court filing, insurance claim, tax submission -- that is not an option.
Send it online right now
Open onefaxnow.com on your phone, upload your documents, and send the fax from the Staples parking lot. $3.50 for up to 10 pages. No working fax machine required.
Don't let a broken machine derail your deadline.
Send a Fax Online NowNo Printer? Scan and Fax from Your Phone Camera
One reason people go to Staples or Office Depot is that they have paper documents and no scanner at home. With the OneFaxNow Android app, you can use your phone camera as a document scanner. Point, capture, and fax -- without printing, without driving, without a scanner. The app straightens pages, adjusts contrast, and converts your camera shots into fax-ready documents automatically.
Download on Google PlayCan You Receive a Fax at Staples or Office Depot?
Yes. Both Staples and Office Depot can receive faxes on your behalf for about $1.00 per page. You will need to call the specific store to get their fax number, and then have the sender fax to that number. You then pick up the pages at the print counter. The process works, but it requires coordination, a trip to the store, and per-page fees. OneFaxNow is a sending-only service -- we do not currently offer fax receiving. If you need to receive faxes regularly, a dedicated fax number service may be a better fit.
Staples Fax vs Office Depot Fax vs OneFaxNow: Full Comparison
| Feature | Staples | Office Depot / OfficeMax | OneFaxNow |
|---|---|---|---|
| How you fax | In person at Copy & Print Center | In person at print counter | Online from any device, 24/7 |
| Pricing model | $1.49-$1.79 first page, $1.49-$1.59 additional (local) | $1.49-$1.99 per page (local) | Flat: $3.50 (1-10 pages), $5.00 (11-50 pages) |
| International pricing | $5.99 first page, $3.99 additional | $2.99-$4.99 per page | Same flat rate for Canada. U.S. & Canada only. |
| Failed fax policy | Typically still charged | Typically still charged | Pay only on successful delivery |
| Automatic retries | Manual; re-feed pages yourself | Manual; re-feed pages yourself | Up to 3 automatic retries, no extra charge |
| Hours of operation | Store hours (typically 8 AM - 9 PM weekdays, shorter weekends) | Store hours (typically 8 AM - 9 PM weekdays, shorter weekends) | 24/7, any day |
| Travel required | Yes | Yes | No |
| Account required | No (pay at register) | No (pay at register) | No (pay-per-fax, no sign-up) |
| Can receive faxes | Yes ($1.00/page, call store for number) | Yes ($1.00/page, call store for number) | No (send only) |
| Privacy | Public machines, staff may handle documents | Public machines, staff may handle documents | Private upload from your device |
| HIPAA support | No BAA for walk-in customers | No BAA for walk-in customers | Optional HIPAA Mode with instant BAA and audit logs ($6.50/$10.00) |
| Delivery tracking | Paper confirmation if requested | Paper confirmation if requested | Real-time status page + email confirmation |
| Cover page | Free (not charged separately) | Free (not charged separately) | Optional, free, customizable |
| Max pages per fax | Varies by machine | Varies by machine | 50 pages |
| File formats accepted | Paper only (print digital docs first) | Paper only (print digital docs first) | PDF, Word, Excel, images, and more |
Other Places to Fax Near You (and How They Compare)
Staples and Office Depot are not your only retail options. Here is a quick look at other "fax near me" results.
UPS Store
5,500+ U.S.Pricing: $1.00-$3.00 local first page, $1.00-$2.00 additional. International: $3.00-$7.00 first page.
5,500+ locations but prices vary significantly. Some high-rent locations charge 20% premiums.
FedEx Office
2,000+ U.S.Pricing: $1.50-$2.49 local first page, $1.50-$2.19 additional. International: $3.49-$5.99 first page.
FedEx does not publish fax prices online; you must call individual stores.
Public Library
VariesPricing: $0.25-$1.00 per page, or free at about 35% of libraries.
Cheapest option when available, but limited hours, not all libraries offer fax, and availability is unpredictable.
All retail options share the same limitations: you must travel there, use shared equipment, pay per page, and send during business hours. OneFaxNow eliminates all of those constraints for $3.50-$5.00 flat.
When It Still Makes Sense to Fax at Staples or Office Depot
We are not going to pretend retail fax is never the right choice. Here is when it makes sense.
- You are already in the store for printing, office supplies, or notary services
- You have exactly 1-2 pages and the store is right next door
- You prefer to pay in cash and do not want to use a card or digital payment
- Your documents are non-sensitive (routine forms, non-private letters)
- You need to receive a fax, not just send one (OneFaxNow is send-only)
For anything over 2-3 pages, anything sensitive, anything urgent outside store hours, or any situation where you want guaranteed delivery-only payment, an online fax service is almost always the better deal.
Staples & Office Depot Fax — Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fax at Staples or Office Depot?
Yes. Most Staples and Office Depot/OfficeMax locations offer fax services through their Copy and Print Centers. You can send domestic and international faxes during store hours, either self-service or with staff assistance. However, not every location has a working fax machine, so call ahead to confirm.
How much does it cost to fax at Staples?
Staples typically charges $1.49-$1.79 for the first local page and $1.49-$1.59 for each additional page. National faxes are around $2.39 first page and $2.19 additional. International faxes start at $5.99 for the first page and $3.99 for each additional. Sales tax (6-10%) is added on top. Prices vary by store location.
How much does it cost to fax at Office Depot?
Office Depot charges roughly $1.49-$1.99 per page for local faxes, $1.99-$2.49 for national, and $2.99-$4.99 for international (varying by region). Receiving faxes costs about $1.00 per page. Sales tax is additional. Prices vary by store.
Does Staples charge for a cover page?
No. Staples does not typically charge separately for a cover page. The cover page is included with your fax at no additional per-page cost. OneFaxNow also includes an optional cover page at no extra charge.
Can I receive a fax at Staples or Office Depot?
Yes. Both Staples and Office Depot can receive faxes for you at about $1.00 per page. You need to call the specific store to get their fax number, then provide it to the sender. You pick up the printed pages at the counter. OneFaxNow is a send-only service and does not offer fax receiving.
Does Staples charge for failed faxes?
Typically, yes. Both Staples and Office Depot generally charge for fax transmissions regardless of whether the fax is successfully received on the other end. If the line is busy, the number is wrong, or the receiving machine is offline, you may still be charged. OneFaxNow only captures payment after confirmed successful delivery. If the fax fails after up to 3 automatic retries, you pay nothing.
Can I fax from my phone instead of going to Staples?
Yes. OneFaxNow works in any mobile browser -- just go to onefaxnow.com, upload your document, enter the fax number, and pay. There is also an Android app with a built-in document scanner that lets you photograph paper documents and fax them directly from your phone. No printer, no store visit, no fax machine needed.
Is it safe to fax my Social Security number at Staples?
It is a valid concern. At Staples, you are using a shared machine in a public area. Your documents are visible to nearby customers and store staff. Fax machines may retain copies of transmitted pages in memory. One Bogleheads forum user noted: "I am not a fan of Faxing documents with confidential data such as SSN from a Staples." If you are faxing documents containing your SSN, consider an online fax service where you upload directly from your own device over a secure connection.
Can I fax medical records at Office Depot?
You can physically fax medical documents at Office Depot, but their retail fax counters do not sign Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) for walk-in customers. This means they are not formally accountable under HIPAA for handling your Protected Health Information. If you need HIPAA-compliant faxing with a BAA and audit trail, OneFaxNow's HIPAA Mode provides that for $6.50 (1-10 pages) or $10.00 (11-50 pages).
What if the Staples fax machine is broken?
Unfortunately, this is common. Fax machines at retail locations experience paper jams, frozen screens, and connectivity issues. If you arrive at a store and the machine is down, your options are: drive to another location, come back later, or send the fax online. You can open onefaxnow.com on your phone right from the parking lot and send your fax for $3.50 flat (up to 10 pages).
Is Office Depot the same as OfficeMax?
Yes. Office Depot and OfficeMax merged in 2013 and operate under the same parent company. Fax services, pricing, and store operations are the same at both. In December 2025, the combined company (ODP Corp) was acquired by Atlas Holdings and went private.
What are Staples fax service hours?
Staples Copy and Print Center hours vary by location but are typically Monday-Friday 8 AM to 9 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 7 PM, and Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM. Hours may differ by store. OneFaxNow is available 24/7 from any browser.
Do I need an account or subscription to use OneFaxNow?
No. OneFaxNow is built for one-time, pay-per-fax usage. No account creation, no monthly subscription, no commitment. Upload your document, enter a U.S. or Canada fax number, and pay only if it delivers successfully.
Can I send an international fax at Staples?
Yes, but it is expensive. Staples charges about $5.99 for the first international page and $3.99 for each additional page. A 5-page international fax runs roughly $21.95 before tax. OneFaxNow covers U.S. and Canada fax numbers at the same flat rate ($3.50 for 1-10 pages). For faxes to countries outside North America, Staples or another service may be needed.
Skip the Trip. Send Your Fax Online in Minutes.
You were about to search "fax near me" or drive to Staples or Office Depot. Instead, upload your document, enter the fax number, and pay a flat $3.50 for up to 10 pages. You only pay if the fax goes through. No account. No subscription. No standing at a counter.