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Public Services and Information

Notarials

Consular Officers perform notary services customarily performed by Notaries Public in the U.S.  Persons requiring these services should visit the Consular Section during business hours. 

Notarization Requirements:

  • Government-issued photo ID, a passport is best.
  • Understand your document, as we are not allowed to explain it to you.
  • The document must be in English, or an English translation must be provided.
  • Complete the document with appropriate names, places and dates – but do not sign it until you are in front of the Consular Officer.
  • Payment of the fee (see below).  The Consular cashier can only accept U.S. dollars cash.
  • If your document requires witnesses in addition to the notary, you must supply these witnesses.

Types of Notarials

Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney allows you to empower someone to act in your place, for example, to take some action on real estate in the U.S. on your behalf while you are in Afghanistan.  We cannot advise you on the specific language needed in a Power of Attorney; please consult a lawyer or other advisor for that type of assistance before coming to notarize the document.

Fee: $30.00 for each original document; $20.00 for each additional copy.  

Affadavit

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 you Affadavit; please consult a lawyer or other advisor for that type of assistance before coming to notarize the document.

Fee: $30.00 for each original document; $20.00 for each additional copy.  

Administration of Oath

An Administration of Oath is used on documents that require a sworn affidavit.  This format cannot be used unless all persons who are to sign the document are present.  We can notarize (or acknowledge) only the signatures of those who are present to sign in front of us or appear in front of us and verify that they have signed the document. 

Fee: $30.00 for each original document; $20.00 for each additional copy.  

Authentication

An Authentication is when the U.S. Embassy certifies that a particular Afghan government document (marriage certificate, birth certificate, death certificate, etc.) is valid and issued by the appropriate authorities. At this time, the Consular Section can only authenticate documents issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously certified.

Fee: $30.00 for each original document; $20.00 for each additional copy.  

Additional detailed information on notarial services can be found at: http://travel.state.gov/law/info/judicial/judicial_701.html.