How to Notarize Documents While Living Overseas: A Guide for American Expats

Living abroad is filled with a unique blend of awe-inspiring thrills and stressful challenges, including submitting notarized documents to an agency or organization.

But getting the proper paperwork signatures doesn’t have to add headaches to your life.

If you are an American living overseas and you need to use a notary, you can do this affordably and effectively so you can get back to living the life of your dreams.

Here is some helpful information on how to notarize a document when you are outside the United States.

Why get a document notarized?

There are times in every expat’s life when you need to provide a document with a verified signature. You may be applying for a long-stay visa, traveling across borders with a child, or buying real estate.

According to the National Notary Association, “notarization is the official fraud-deterrent process that assures the parties of a transaction that a document is authentic, and can be trusted.”

The job of the notary, who is a licensed professional, is to verify the identity of theperson signing, and to ensure they sign the document without intimidation or duress.

Types of documents that may need notarizing

When you are living abroad, you may be required to submit official documents that have been notarized including:

   ● Powers of attorney

   ● Real estate

   ● Birth certificates

   ● Contracts

   ● Child travel consents

   ● Academic records

   ● Passport renewal forms

   ● Bank records

Can I work with a local notary?

In many countries you can try to work with a local notary, but the process can be difficult and extremely time consuming.

Depending on the location, you may not find someone who speaks English. If they do, they might refuse to notarize a document for a foreigner. If they agree to work with you, it could become a bureaucratic nightmare costing you days of time.

If you don’t need to work with a local, why bother with the headache of trying? With an online notary, you only need a good internet connection and the ability to scan and send your documents. Many cities around the world have copy shops that will happily scan your documents to a flash/USB drive, so you can upload them for your online notary session.

Can a US notary notarize for people living abroad?

At Friendly American Notary, we are physically located in New York State, which allows for RON. If you are living abroad and need a document notarized, you can book anappointment with us at (917) 640-1758 or by sending a message here:

https://friendlyamericannotary.com/contact-us

How does online notary work?

Online notary is similar to an in-person session except it is performed through a live audio-visual session.

For each session, you upload your documents to be signed. The notary then verifies your identity. After verification, they witness you signing the documents electronically, and then they affix their electronic seal or digital certificate, which replaces the “wet signature” of pen on paper. This seal is what is needed to make it official.

The entire session is recorded and stored securely, so you have a verifiable trail of the notarization if needed.

Additional Information:

  ● It’s important to check that the agency where you are sending your notarized document accepts online notary signatures. Though many do, it is not universally accepted.

   ● Notarization and apostilles are different. Double check with the organization requiring the document which one you need.

   ● If you can’t use an online notary, or find a local agent to work with you, US

Embassies and Consulates will provide this service, though there can be long wait times and higher cost involved.

Weylyn Ember, Self-published indie author and copywriter

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