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Notarials
Notarial services are available for all nationalities by appointment

Apointments

Make an appointment for a notary service at our office in Bogota.

Schedule an Appointment

Overview

Hand signing documentNotarial services are for all nationalities and are by appointment only. Normally the document to be notarized is for use within the United States, although there may be exceptions. If you have multiple documents to be notarized, you should only make one appointment. You will pay $50 USD, at the Embassy or Consulate on your day of appointment, for each notary seal required.

On the day of your appointment, you must:

      • Bring the complete, unsigned documents to be notarized. Even if there are pages that do not require signature or seals, you must present the entire packet.
      • Present a valid government-issued ID such as a passport or driver’s license. The name on the documents must be the same as the name on your ID.
      • Pay $50 USD per notary seal.
      • Be of sound mind and understand the document you want notarized. Consular staff is not permitted to explain contents to you.
      • If your notary service requires a witness, you must arrange for your own witnesses. Consular staff cannot witness your documents.

Examples of Notarial Services Performed At No Charge

DS-3053: To notarize a DS-3053 Statement of Consent: Issuance of a U.S. Passport To a Minor Under Age 16 (PDF, 345K), please review the instructions listed on the form, the information fields that must be completed, and bring your original, valid, government-issued photo ID as well as a photocopy of both sides. As the U.S. Department of State requires that this form be notarized, this service is performed free of charge.Scales, Seal, Pen

Power of Attorney (in conjunction with U.S. passport applications): When both parents are unable to be personally present to apply for a minor’s U.S. passport, and they wish to designate a third party to do so, they may sign a power of attorney (POA) before a notary public. This POA must contain specific data fields; see a sample.  Note that photocopies of both sides of each parents’ original, valid, government-issued photo ID must be included with the POA. As the U.S. Department of State requires that this form be notarized, this service is performed free of charge.

At the Direct Request of a U.S. Municipal, State or Federal Entity

At the Direct Request of a Foreign Government

Remote notarization (also known as webcam notarization, online notarization, or virtual notarization) may fulfil your need for notary services more quickly. Remote notarization allows for notarization of documents using audio-visual technology over the internet. Many states accept documents notarized through online services. You will need to research whether they can be used in the state where your document will be filed and if any special conditions apply. For more information and to find an online notary please visit National Notary Association.

Appointments made under the “Notarial and other services” category are EXCLUSIVELY for notary services.  You can request notarial services either at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota or at the U.S. Consular Agency in Barranquilla.

Remember: It is the responsibility of the U.S. citizens to plan the signature of the documents according to the availability of the appointments. It is the responsibility of the U.S. citizens to comply with the time requirements for processes on foreign countries, this requires timely preparations.  The Embassy cannot accommodate notarial emergencies for these reasons.

Sworn Statement / Affidavit:

A sworn statement / affidavit is a notarized statement by an individual. You must provide the document, the U.S. Embassy / Consular Agency cannot advise you on the specific language needed. Please consult a lawyer or other legal advisor for that type of assistance. Please keep in mind the U.S. Embassy / Consular Agency assumes no responsibility for the veracity of the information contained therein.

The day of your appointment you must present:

  • The unsigned affidavit.
  • Valid photo identification with signature.

Power of Attorney (POA):

A power of attorney is a written authorization to appoint a third party or organization to act on a person’s behalf to make decisions in legal matters with broad or limited legal authority.

The day of your appointment you must present:

  • The unsigned power of attorney (consult a lawyer or find a template online that suits your needs).
  • Valid photo identification with signature.

Affidavit of Single Status:

To certify the marriage between a Colombian national and a foreigner, Colombian notaries require a Certificate of Single Status or the equivalent. To satisfy this requirement, the U.S. Embassy/U.S. Consular Agency issues an Affidavit of Single Status. Remember that the Embassy/U.S. Consular Agency is verifying your signature but is not certifying as true the information in the document.

The day of your appointment you must present your valid U.S. passport.

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN):

If you require an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number in order to file U.S. taxes, the Embassy notarizes a true copy of the biographical page of your valid passport to submit to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS https://www.irs.gov/).

The day of your appointment you must present your valid passport.

To learn if you may need to renew your ITIN click here.

Form DS-3053 Declaration of Consent:

For more information on the use of form DS-3053 click here.

The day of your appointment you must present:

  • The completed and unsigned form.
  • Valid photo identification with signature.

Document Verification for Federal Benefits:

If asked by the Federal Benefits Unit to verify your documentation for federal benefits, set up a notarial service appointment at the Embassy.

The day of your appointment you must present the documents requested by the Federal Benefits Unit and the email with the notification.

Federal Benefits Certification (Income Verification):

The federal benefits certification or income verification is required to request or renew a Colombian retiree visa.

The day of your appointment you must present:

  • An original or copy of your valid U.S. passport.
  • Proof of federal benefits (Social Security, VA or other).
  • Proof of private pension from the current year indicating the amount you receive, OR
  • Bank statements from the last three months showing the monthly amount you receive.
Note: A third party may appear at the appointment in your behalf. The authorized individual must have the original authorization letter signed by the applicant, present the documents, and make the payment. A notarized authorization is not necessary.

Apostille, Certificates and True Copies:

Neither the U.S. Embassy in Bogota nor the U.S. Consular Agency in Barranquilla can apostille, certify or issue true copies of documents issued in the United States. For those services contact the apostille office in the state where the document was issued.

For more information about records and authentications please visit the Department of State website https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/records-and-authentications.html.

For instructions on how to apostille or authenticate a Colombian document for use in the United States, please visit the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs “Cancilleria” website https://www.cancilleria.gov.co

Useful Information

Notarial Services of U.S. Consular Officers Abroad

U.S. Birth Certificate Apostilles

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