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Notarials
Notarial services are available for all nationalities by appointment

The U.S. Embassy in Berlin and the U.S. Consulates General in Frankfurt and Munich provide a service similar to the functions of a public notary in the United States.  People of any nationality may use our notarial services. However, appointment availability is extremely limited at this time, so it is important that you are aware of other options for getting your documents notarized.

Online notaries

A growing number of states accept documents notarized online, making it a convenient and efficient option. If you need documentation notarized for use in the United States, we strongly suggest that you research whether the state in which your documents will be filed accepts documents notarized remotely.  

Legalization through the German system (apostille) 

If you need notarization services urgently, you can consider the German system for legalization. Documents (in English) notarized in this way are acceptable for use in the United States as they comply with the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents.  However, we advise you to first ascertain with the receiving institution whether it will be accepted. Notarization under this system is a two-step process:  Step 1: Have your documents signed in front of a German Notary Public.   Step 2: Legalize your document by means of an apostille (the official term for the legalization certification). 

NOTARY SERVICES AT THE U.S. EMBASSY AND CONSULATES

Please read the following instructions before scheduling an appointment. If you are unprepared for your notarial appointment, you may be required to make a new appointment on a later date. 

On the day of your appointment, you will need to: 

  • Appear in person and bring a valid government-issued photo ID (U.S. or foreign) with your signature (such as passport, driver’s license or ID card). The name on your identification must match your name on the document you need notarized. 
  • Bring the document(s) that need(s) your signature and it must be UNSIGNED. The document(s) will have to be signed before a consular officer. Even if there are pages that do not require signatures or seals, you must present the entire document(s). 
  • Ensure that documents are organized in page order and the documents (i.e. affidavit, deed, etc.)  that need the signatures with the notary seal are kept separate from each other with a paper clip. The embassy/consulate staff cannot assemble your documents for you or provide legal advice on their preparation. 
  • Ensure that you understand the content of your documents, where you need to sign, and which of your signatures need to be notarized, as our staff will not be able to explain these items to you.
    If you are signing on behalf of a corporation, bring appropriate documents showing your capacity to sign for the corporation. 
  • Verify in advance if your document requires witness(es). The consular staff cannot serve as witnesses. If your document requires the signature(s) of witness(es), you must bring your own (along with their proof of identity) on the day of your appointment. Please make sure they are legally qualified to serve as a witness (i.e., not a minor or incompetent). We will not be able to offer partial services. All those whose signatures, including witness(es), will be notarized at a particular post, must appear on the same day. 
  • Pay the fee for the notary service(s).  The services listed below cost $50.00 USD per consular seal. Fees are paid on the day of your appointment. Fees are accepted in the form of cash (U.S. dollars or euros) or credit card. We cannot accept payment by EC card. Notarial service fees are per seal and signature required, not per document notarized. Please note that chip and PIN card technology is not supported by embassy cashiering at this time. If your bank requires it, you will need to bring cash for your consular services. 
  • Be aware that the consular officer may refuse any notary service when: 
    • The host country does not authorize the performance of the service, 
    • The document will be used in transactions that may be prohibited by U.S. law, 
    • The officer believes that the document will be used for a purpose that is unlawful, improper, or inimical to the best interests of the United States, 
    • The officer does not understand the document due to language, the documents are incomplete, or any other reason.
    • The person does not understand the nature and language of the instrument and is unable to comprehend the significance of the act or appears to be acting under duress.

How to

video about notarial services

SWORN STATEMENT/AFFIDAVIT

An Affidavit is a sworn statement, made by you. Write out the statement you wish to make, but do not sign the form. We cannot advise you on the specific language needed in your Affidavit, please consult a lawyer or other legal advisor for that type of assistance. Please keep in mind the consular office assumes no responsibility for the truth or falsity of the representations that appear in the affidavit. Note that as of January 2021, the U.S. embassy and consulates in Germany no longer issue marriage affidavits.  Please see below under services we cannot provide for further information. Please do NOT sign the document prior to your appointment.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

An acknowledgement of execution is used for legal agreements, business documents, deeds, powers of attorney, financial, or real estate transaction documents such as Grant Deed, Warranty Deed, Bill of Sale, Closing Affidavit, Assignment of Lease Disbursement Instructions, Wills, etc. If you are signing a document on behalf of a company you must bring the company’s social contract that proves you may sign on its behalf; Please bring your documents fully completed, without any missing pages, assembled and ready for notarization. The Embassy/Consulate cannot assemble your documents for you or provide legal advice on their preparation. If your documents are not ready for signature, you may be asked to make a new appointment. Please do NOT sign the document prior to your appointment.

CERTIFIED COPIES OF PASSPORTS

CERTIFY COPY OF A U.S. PASSPORT A consular officer can take a certified copy of a U.S. passport.  Any person may present the U.S. passport to be copied.  The appointment must be made in the name of the person attending. CERTIFIED COPY OF A FOREIGN PASSPORT U.S. embassies and consulates abroad are generally not able to make certified copies of foreign documents.  If you require this type of service for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or other reasons pertaining to U.S. taxes, you should contact one of the several authorized IRS acceptance agents within Germany. Schedule an appointment for a certified copy of a foreign passport for U.S. tax purpose only if unobtainable through the acceptance agent.

VIEW THE CURRENT LIST OF ACCEPTANCE AGENTS

TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION FOR MINORS

There is no legal requirement that a minor traveling alone have written authorization to enter the United States.  However, CBP (Customs and Border Protection) can always stop someone if they have questions.  CBP therefore recommends that minors travelling with one or neither parent carry a notarized travel authorization in English from the child’s other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with others relatives, friends or a group, a note signed by both parents). An example of statement would be: “I acknowledge that my wife/husband/etc. is traveling out of the country with my son(s) and/or daughter(s) (insert their names). He/She/They has/have my permission.”  Please see this CBP webpage for more information. Parents seeking a notarized travel authorization MUST come in person with their complete but unsigned document. You should only sign your document when directed to do so by the Consular Officer.

More Information

STATEMENT OF CONSENT FOR MINOR APPLYING FOR A PASSPORT

If you are applying for a U.S. passport service for a child under 16 years of age, and only one parent is able to appear at the embassy or consulate for the passport appointment, the absent parent may furnish a notarized Statement of Consent (Form DS-3053), along with a copy of his/her government-issued valid photo I.D. with signature. This service is fee exempt. Please do NOT sign the document prior to your appointment.

FILL OUT THE DS-3053 FORM

U.S. SAVINGS BONDS

Please refer to the Treasury Direct website for detailed instructions. We are unable to cash your savings bonds – we simply notarize your signature. This service is fee exempt. Please do NOT sign the document prior to your appointment. Please come to your appointment with FS Form 1522 and FS Form 3500 (if needed) filled out but not signed.

VISIT THE TREASURY DIRECT WEBSITE FOR MORE I

MARRIAGE AFFIDAVIT (EHEFÄHIGKEITSZEUGNIS)

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Germany do not notarize Marriage/Single Status Affidavits, please do not book an appointment for this service. German authorities no longer require marriage affidavits for U.S. citizens who are legally resident in Germany. U.S. citizens who do not have legal resident status in Germany must obtain an affidavit notarized by a notary public in their home state in the United States that says they are free to marry. Neither the U.S. Embassy nor the U.S. Consulates General can request/obtain the marriage affidavit on your behalf. Questions regarding the definition of resident status and the wording of the affidavit must be clarified with German city authorities (Standesamt) or with the German Foreigner’s Office (Ausländerbehörde). If you are getting married outside Germany, please visit the website of the U.S. embassy in the country where you intend to marry to view their requirements.

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CERTIFIED COPIES OF U.S. VITAL RECORDS  

 The U.S. Embassy and Consulates do not have the authority to provide certified copies of U.S. vital records (birth, marriage, divorce, or death certificates), please do not book an appointment for this.  Be aware that for your U.S. document to be accepted abroad, for example if you plan to get married in Germany, the German authorities will also require that you provide an apostille.  

CERTIFIED COPY OF A NATURALIZATION CERTIFICATE

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates cannot provide certified copies of Naturalization Certificates, please do not book an appointment for this.

Please visit the USCIS website for more info

CERTIFIED COPY OF A CERTIFICATE OF BIRTH ABROAD

Request a certified copy of your Certificate of Birth Abroad (CRBA) through the Department of State.

Please click here for more information.

MEDALLION SIGNATURE GUARANTEES

U.S. banks or mutual fund companies often require signature guarantees. Unfortunately, we cannot legally perform a signature guarantee. Please check with your bank or stock company, here or in the U.S., for additional information. If allowed by your financial institution, we can acknowledge your signature instead.

OTHER SERVICES WE CANNOT PROVIDE

U.S. Apostilles, Authentication of American Academic Credentials, transcripts or degrees (must be certified by an authorized school official and then notarized before sending them to the Secretary of State’s Office for an apostille), statements beyond the consular officer’s knowledge, and criminal background check.  To obtain certified true copies of non-U.S. documents, such as German records of birth, marriage and death, contact the German vital records office (Standesamt) where the event occurred. Most cities have websites at www.(nameofcity).de where you can find the contact information for the appropriate Standesamt and request a copy of your birth or marriage certificate. For your German document to be accepted in the U.S., you will need to request an apostille from the German authorities. In the German states (Bundesländer), jurisdiction is not handled in a uniform way. Please contact the authority in Germany which originally issued the document for more information. 

Make an Appointment for Notarial Services

Appointments are required for all services. Please select your Embassy/Consulate to make an appointment:

U.S. Embassy Berlin (Please indicate the number of notary signatures your document requires next to your given name.)

U.S. Consulate Frankfurt (Please indicate the number of notary signatures your document requires next to your given name.)

U.S. Consulate Munich (Please indicate the number of notary signatures your document requires next to your given name.)

Important Information

What not to bring to your appointment

Visitors are not allowed to bring cell phones, laptops, tablets, and similar electronic devices onto the premises. Visitors carrying unauthorized objects will not be granted entry.

        1. To facilitate and speed up your entry into the compound we recommend you bring no large bags such as suitcases, backpacks, and packages.
        2. Baby food and/or essential medications (in plastic containers only, NO glass) should be brought to the attention of the guards.
        3. Once you enter the screening area, be prepared to remove all metallic items, together with your coat/jacket, belt, handbag/rucksack/briefcase, etc.

Useful Information

Notarial Services of U.S. Consular Officers Abroad

U.S. Birth Certificate Apostilles

Obtaining Vital Records