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Can I get a document notarized while at the embassy for interview?

By trandy in US Embassy and Consulate Discussion

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trandy Explorer

trandy   5

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Wales
 Timeline
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I have some paper work that my attorney is sending me that needs my signature and needs to be authenticated. Having a document authenticated in the UK is extremely expensive, while free in the US. I wondered if, seeing as it's my signature and not that of anyone else, could I just have the signature authenticated by someone at the embassy when I go for my interview?

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KierenHby Experienced

KierenHby   897

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Timeline
Posted

US embassy ain't cheap; notary fee is $50 per document. But if you're DCF'ing, check with them beforehand.

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/scs/notary.html

USCIS

January 16, 2015 I-130 Mailed, Chi lockbox January 20, 2015 Priority Date, January 21, 2015 NOA1 notice date, Assigned VSC, January 23, 2015 Check Cashed, electronically March 5, 2015 NOA2

NVC

March 27, 2015 NVC received April 6, 2015 Case#, IIN# assigned April 8, 2015 Paid AOS + IV fee Invoices May 5, 2015 AOS + IV package submitted May 11, 2015 Scan Date

June 11, 2015 DS-260 submitted June 25, 2015 False checklist (for ds260).. hello? June 30, 2015 Answered checklist Aug 5, 2015 Escalated to Supervisor review Aug 13, 2015 Case Complete

Consular

Sept 10, 2015 Interview Scheduled Sept 11, 2015 P4 Letter received Sept 21, 2015 file In transit from NVC Sept 23, 2015 file at Embassy

Sept 28, 2015 Medical Oct 14, 2015 Biometrics Oct 15, 2015 Interview (Approved) Oct 19, 2015 IV visa Issued Oct 23, 2015 Passport Pickup

POE

Nov 2, 2015 Entered the US Nov 16, 2015 Applied for SSN, walk-in Nov 20, 2015 Social Security Card recd Jan 15, 2016 GC received

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Ryan H Grand Master

Ryan H   3,790

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
 Timeline
Posted

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to US Embassy & Consulate Discussion.

Our journey:

Spoiler

September 2007: Met online via social networking site (MySpace); began exchanging messages.
March 26, 2009: We become a couple!
September 10, 2009: Arrived for first meeting in-person!
June 17, 2010: Arrived for second in-person meeting and start of travel together to other areas of China!
June 21, 2010: Engaged!!!
September 1, 2010: Switched course from K1 to CR-1
December 8, 2010: Wedding date set; it will be on February 18, 2011!
February 9, 2011: Depart for China
February 11, 2011: Registered for marriage in Wuhan, officially married!!!
February 18, 2011: Wedding ceremony in Shiyan!!!
April 22, 2011: Mailed I-130 to Chicago
April 28, 2011: Received NOA1 via text/email, file routed to CSC (priority date April 25th)
April 29, 2011: Updated
May 3, 2011: Received NOA1 hardcopy in mail
July 26, 2011: Received NOA2 via text/email!!!
July 30, 2011: Received NOA2 hardcopy in mail
August 8, 2011: NVC received file
September 1, 2011: NVC case number assigned
September 2, 2011: AOS invoice received, OPTIN email for EP sent
September 7, 2011: Paid AOS bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 9, 2011)
September 8, 2011: OPTIN email accepted, GZO number assigned
September 10, 2011: Emailed AOS package
September 12, 2011: IV bill invoiced
September 13, 2011: Paid IV bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 14, 2011)
September 14, 2011: Emailed IV package
October 3, 2011: Emailed checklist response (checklist generated due to typo on Form DS-230)
October 6, 2011: Case complete at NVC
November 10, 2011: Interview - APPROVED!!!
December 7, 2011: POE - Sea-Tac Airport

September 17, 2013: Mailed I-751 to CSC

September 23, 2013: Received NOA1 in mail (receipt date September 19th)

October 16, 2013: Biometrics Appointment

January 28, 2014: Production of new Green Card ordered

February 3, 2014: New Green Card received; done with USCIS until fall of 2023*

December 18, 2023:  Filed I-90 to renew Green Card

December 21, 2023:  Production of new Green Card ordered - will be seeing USCIS again every 10 years for renewal

 

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mlh Enthusiast

mlh   93

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted

My husband actually looked into getting a document notarized while he's there tomorrow for his interview and you have to make an appointment. The first appointment available isn't until August.

He was able to call around and found a US attorney that lives and works there and is also a US Public Notary. It's definitely not cheap (80 GBP), but we didn't have a choice thanks to my loan officer not telling me that we needed a power of attorney to complete the purchase of our house here in the US.

Mar 2014 - Married

5/7/14?? - Attorney mailed paperwork

5/15/14 DHS cashed check

5/19/14 - NOA1 received with PD 5/12/14

10/17/14 - NOA2 received

10/28/14 - Email received that file has been sent to NVC

11/13/14 - NVC received file

12/10/14 - NVC Assigned case number

12/12/14 - AOS Fee Invoiced

12/13/14 - Submit email to NVC to remove attorney as DS-261 Agent

12/16/14 - AOS Fee showing as Paid

12/17/14 - IV Fee invoiced

12/20/14 - IV fee available and paid

12/27/14 - DS-260 submitted

1/2/15 - AOS and IV packages sent to NVC

1/5/15 - USPS delivered packages to NVC

1/7/15 - NVC scanned in packages. Let the countdown begin...

1/30/15 - FINALLY got a reply to my email to remove the attorney from the DS-261

3/9/15 - Called NVC and they have checklisted us for an "incorrect" decree absolute from the UK, even though it is the legal official document. Have requested a supervisor review.

4/28/15 - Called and NVC said supervisor had reviewed and now claimed that the decree absolute was not included. After disagreeing with the less than helpful lady on the phone, and her not being able to get the review time right. (She kept changing her story between 42 days and 30 days).

4/30/15 - Sent the same copy of the decree absolute to the NVC from the UK, highlighting the "decree absolute" wording with a letter stating that this is the only document provided by the UK government.

5/6/15 - Scan date for checklist received.

6/5/15 - Case complete!!!

6/12/15 - Called and interview is scheduled for July 1!

6/14/15 - Received email with interview date and instructions.

6/19/15 - Case showing as ready on CEAC.

7/1/15 - Approved at interview!!!

7/6/15 - CEAC changed to Administrative Processing

7/7/15 - CEAC changed to Issued!!!!!

7/10/15 - Passport and packet delivered!

7/29/15 - Husband entered with visa at Dallas/Fort Worth airport

9/29/15 - GC delivered!!!

5/4/17 - ROC packet sent via USPS

5/9/17 - Tracking shows delivered

5/17/17 - Check cashed

5/19/17 - NOA1 received with date of 5/8/17

5/27/17 - Biometrics appt received 6/8/17

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KierenHby Experienced

KierenHby   897

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Timeline
Posted

80 pounds? Wow.. highway robbery.. considering the free notary services at some US banks one does business with.

USCIS

January 16, 2015 I-130 Mailed, Chi lockbox January 20, 2015 Priority Date, January 21, 2015 NOA1 notice date, Assigned VSC, January 23, 2015 Check Cashed, electronically March 5, 2015 NOA2

NVC

March 27, 2015 NVC received April 6, 2015 Case#, IIN# assigned April 8, 2015 Paid AOS + IV fee Invoices May 5, 2015 AOS + IV package submitted May 11, 2015 Scan Date

June 11, 2015 DS-260 submitted June 25, 2015 False checklist (for ds260).. hello? June 30, 2015 Answered checklist Aug 5, 2015 Escalated to Supervisor review Aug 13, 2015 Case Complete

Consular

Sept 10, 2015 Interview Scheduled Sept 11, 2015 P4 Letter received Sept 21, 2015 file In transit from NVC Sept 23, 2015 file at Embassy

Sept 28, 2015 Medical Oct 14, 2015 Biometrics Oct 15, 2015 Interview (Approved) Oct 19, 2015 IV visa Issued Oct 23, 2015 Passport Pickup

POE

Nov 2, 2015 Entered the US Nov 16, 2015 Applied for SSN, walk-in Nov 20, 2015 Social Security Card recd Jan 15, 2016 GC received

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aaron2020 Grand Master

aaron2020   11,651

Posted
Filed: Country: Vietnam (no flag)
 Timeline
Posted

80 pounds? Wow.. highway robbery.. considering the free notary services at some US banks one does business with.

The banks provide notary service to their customers at no charge because they make money off the banking. They don't do it for free for everyone.

Why would you expect free service for this?

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KierenHby Experienced

KierenHby   897

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Timeline
Posted

I conditioned my statement with ".. one does business with.." didn't I?

Allow me to rephrase.. it's complimentary (i.e. no charge) for some bank customers. As in a vacuum service or tire pressure check included for those who pay to service their autos.

Anyways.. back to the OP!!

USCIS

January 16, 2015 I-130 Mailed, Chi lockbox January 20, 2015 Priority Date, January 21, 2015 NOA1 notice date, Assigned VSC, January 23, 2015 Check Cashed, electronically March 5, 2015 NOA2

NVC

March 27, 2015 NVC received April 6, 2015 Case#, IIN# assigned April 8, 2015 Paid AOS + IV fee Invoices May 5, 2015 AOS + IV package submitted May 11, 2015 Scan Date

June 11, 2015 DS-260 submitted June 25, 2015 False checklist (for ds260).. hello? June 30, 2015 Answered checklist Aug 5, 2015 Escalated to Supervisor review Aug 13, 2015 Case Complete

Consular

Sept 10, 2015 Interview Scheduled Sept 11, 2015 P4 Letter received Sept 21, 2015 file In transit from NVC Sept 23, 2015 file at Embassy

Sept 28, 2015 Medical Oct 14, 2015 Biometrics Oct 15, 2015 Interview (Approved) Oct 19, 2015 IV visa Issued Oct 23, 2015 Passport Pickup

POE

Nov 2, 2015 Entered the US Nov 16, 2015 Applied for SSN, walk-in Nov 20, 2015 Social Security Card recd Jan 15, 2016 GC received

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Nich-Nick Grand Master

Nich-Nick   3,353

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

I have some paper work that my attorney is sending me that needs my signature and needs to be authenticated. Having a document authenticated in the UK is extremely expensive, while free in the US. I wondered if, seeing as it's my signature and not that of anyone else, could I just have the signature authenticated by someone at the embassy when I go for my interview?

Information on the embassy website http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/scs/notary.html

Appointment availability and booking online. Nothing available. Kinda weird, but maybe they only open appointments two weeks in advance.

Oh sorry, you already were given that link. Cheers

Edited by Nich-Nick

England.gifENGLAND ---

K-1 Timeline 4 months, 19 days 03-10-08 VSC to 7-29-08 Interview London

10-05-08 Married

AOS Timeline 5 months, 14 days 10-9-08 to 3-23-09 No interview

Removing Conditions Timeline 5 months, 20 days12-27-10 to 06-10-11 No interview

Citizenship Timeline 3 months, 26 days 12-31-11 Dallas to 4-26-12 Interview Houston

05-16-12 Oath ceremony

The journey from Fiancé to US citizenship:

4 years, 2 months, 6 days

243 pages of forms/documents submitted

No RFEs

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jan22 Experienced

jan22   2,898

Posted
Filed: Timeline
Posted (edited)

BTW, technically, it is generally against regulations/law (depending on the state) for a notary to notarize a document outside the state of his notary commission. The only exception I'm aware of is that a few states allow a notary from a neighboring state to notarize documents within that state. None of the states can authorize a notary to perform serices outside the country. There is no "US" notary; they are state commissions. There are two ways to get a document officially notarized outside the US: the US Embassy or a local notarization that is then authenticated or apostilled (depending on the country). While you will likely get by with it, if at any point in the future someone questions how the document was notarized in [the state of the notary's commission] when you were outside the country, there could be a problem.

Edited by jan22
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mpatel4 Rookie

mpatel4   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: India
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

The banks provide notary service to their customers at no charge because they make money off the banking. They don't do it for free for everyone.

Why would you expect free service for this?

Some banks including the one I have do it for free. It just depends on whether bank is busy or not at the moment you walk in. It is pretty expensive in UK though!

Edited by mpatel4
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trandy Explorer

trandy   5

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Wales
 Timeline
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Posted

There's no way around it then. £80 is cheap compared to where I live. There's a notary public in my town that charges about £120 per document and then one 15 miles away that charges about £100 per document. There's a reason they call it rip-off Britain. Also highest airport taxes in the world. Only teeny loophole I see is that one of my docs needs to be notarized OR authenticated. Not sure if there's a difference. I've heard some people just go to a local official to validate the signature.

Ok, so I have one more question regarding getting the docs notarized for my waiver.I-601 (let me know if it's not ok to continue in this thread and if I need to start another).

I'm not sure about copies vs original documents and how that relates to the issue of notarizing. I'll be submitting an affidavit that I need to sign and get authenticated, plus a supporting statement from a friend that he needs to sign. Obviously I need to get both docs authenticated, but am I supposed to submit copies only and keep originals? and if so do I need to get the copies notarized too?

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