We prefer the embassy notarization but it isn’t required. If you go to a local notary please make sure they follow the guidelines listed below.
All documents require the following:
• Notary's Stamp or Seal
• Notary's Name
• Notary's Signature
• Notary's Commission Expiration Date
• Date of Notarization (Must be original and dated within the last six months)
Documents that must be certified require the notary to certify that the document is a "true and correct copy of the original." If the notary will not certify the document, you may attest that it is a "true and correct copy of the original" and sign the statement. The notary may then notarize your signature.
If your document is not in English or Latin, it must be translated into English. The translation and the copy of the original language document must both be notarized and submitted.
Please submit only photocopies of any required document as these documents will not be returned. Photocopies and faxes of the notarization will not be accepted.
Additionally, please note that if your notary is commissioned for life, they must note this on the form in place of a commission expiration date. That is all that is needed as the explanation.