Overview

Notarial Services - Public Services

Documents used for legal purposes in the United States may require notarization by a U.S. consular official.

The individual who needs to sign the document must appear in person at a consular office, present proper identification (a valid passport, driver's license or other official photo ID) and pay the appropriate fee. If witnesses are required, you must bring your own. Do not sign the document until requested to do so by the Consular Officer.

Depending on the nature of the document, the Consular Officer will either "take an acknowledgment*"  that your signature was done freely and with an understanding of the document's contents or "administer an oath" whereby you swear or affirm the contents of a document are true.

Consular Officers do not certify that the contents of submitted documents are true. The officer only certifies that you have made an oath or affirmation that they are. As a general rule, the Consular Officer only certifies true copies of documents issued by the U.S. Department of State.

Note:

Documents notarized by a Samoan Notary Public for use in the United States can be "authenticated" by a U.S. Consular Officer.

To authenticate a document, present the document to a Notary Public who is listed with the U.S. consular office where you want to complete the authentication.

After the Notary Public has notarized the document, you can either:
• Submit the document in person to the U.S. consular office where the Notary Public is on record. A Consular Officer can "authenticate" the Notary's signature and seal for the document to be used in the United States.

Fees for notarial services can be paid in cash when requesting service in person. If paying in U.S. currency, the fee must be in exact change (no coins). Personal checks and credit/bank cards are not accepted.

*Acknowledgement: Acknowledgement of a signature on documents for use in the United States. Used with deeds, power of attorney, bills of sale, corporate acknowledgements, etc.