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Notarials
Notarial services are available for all nationalities by appointment

Overview

Hand signing document

Notarial services are available for people of any nationality with documents for use in the United States. 

Appointments 

To make an appointment for a notary service at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, please click here.  
If you would prefer to visit the U.S. Consular Agency in Barranquilla, please click here. 

Please only make one appointment per family. 

Please note that appointments made under the “Notarial and other services” category are exclusively for notary services. We are unable to provide information on visa applications or other services during a notarial appointment.  

Please plan ahead. The U.S. Embassy/Consular Agency cannot accommodate requests for emergency appointments for notarial services. If your document does not require notarization by a U.S. notary, you may consider using a local notary. 

What to Bring 

 Complete, unsigned document(s): 

  • Assemble all pages in order and complete the document with the appropriate names, places, and dates before you arrive. 
  • Do NOT sign the document – you will sign and take an oath in front of the Consular Officer. 
  • Understand your document, including why and where you will sign. We are not permitted to explain your documents to you. 
  • Clearly indicate which pages require a Notarial Seal. *Post-it notes placed in the document indicating where notarization is required is much appreciated and expedites notarization. 

Photo Identification: 

  • All signatories, including witnesses, must bring valid government-issued photo identification with signature, such as a passport, national ID card, U.S. driver’s license, etc. The name on your identification must match your name on the document(s) you need notarized. 

 Fees: 

  • The fee is $50 per seal.  For example, you will be charged $150 for a single document that requires the Consular Officer to sign and acknowledge your signature in three places. 
  • The fee for photocopies is $1 per page. 
  • Payment can be made by credit card or cash (U.S. dollars or Colombian pesos). 
  • All fees are non-refundable. 
  • No fees are charged for forms required by a U.S. federal government agency (e.g., DS-3053). 

 Witnesses: 

  • If your document requires the presence of witnesses, you must bring them. 
  • Consular staff are unable to serve as witnesses. 
  • Witnesses must also bring valid photo ID. 
  • Unsure if you need witnesses, or who can serve as witnesses? Consult your lawyer or entity that prepared your document. 

  

REMOTE NOTARIZATIONS

Also known as webcam notarization, online notarization, or virtual notarization, a remote notarization allows for notarization of documents using audio-visual technology over the internet. While 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, click here. 

 

Sworn Statement / Affidavit

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

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. Please consult a lawyer or other legal advisor for guidance on the specific language needed, the U.S. Embassy/Consular Agency cannot provide this advice. Please keep in mind the U.S. Embassy/Consular Agency assumes no responsibility for the veracity of the information contained therein.

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/Consular Agency can notarize an individual’s 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.

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

If you require an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number in order to file U.S. taxes, the U.S. Embassy/Consular Agency notarizes a true copy of the biographical page of your valid passport to submit to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS https://www.irs.gov/). To learn if you may need to renew your ITIN visit : https://www.irs.gov/es/individuals/individual-taxpayer-identification-number .

DS-3053 Statement of Consent

To notarize a DS-3053 Statement of Consent: Issuance of a U.S. Passport to a Minor Under Age 16, please review the instructions listed on the form, visit : https://eforms.state.gov/ for the form finder. Passport acceptance agents worldwide accept form DS-3053 notarized by local notaries where the U.S. has a diplomatic presence or where local notaries are consider reliable. See this list for Foreign Countries from which locally notarized documents are not acceptable, visit : https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/under-16.html (See FAQs > What countries require Form DS-3053 “Statement of Consent” to be notarized at an embassy or consulate?) If you encounter a passport acceptance agent that does not accept your form DS-3053, please refer them to 8 FAM 706.4-4 (U) FOREIGN NOTARIES PUBLIC.

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 U.S. Embassy/Consular Agency. The day of your appointment you must present the documents requested by the Federal Benefits Unit and the email with the notification.

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, visit 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 website https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/ .

Federal Benefits Certification (Income Verification)

Consular officers are not authorized to certify financial statements. A consular officer can, however, notarize sworn statements which can then be authenticated with an apostille by the Department of State. Visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/records-and-authentications/authenticate-your-document/apostille-requirements.html for more information on apostille requirements.

SECURITY INFORMATION

Every adult (age 16 or older) that visits the embassy should bring two forms of photo ID (passport, identity card, U.S. driver’s license). You must leave one ID with security personnel and the other ID you must present to the consul when you submit you application. The identification you present to the consul should be the U.S. passport, when possible. 

All U.S. Embassy/Consular Agency visitors and their personal belongings must pass through security screening before entering. The following items are strictly forbidden. We ask all our visitors to leave these items at home. None of these devices can be stored at the Embassy/Consular Agency.  

  • Electronic devices including: cell phones, computers, cameras, or CD/MP3 players, flash drives (USB); 
  • Luggage or big bags including: suitcases, backpacks, and briefcases;  
  • Food or drinks; 
  • Sealed mail, such as packages that have not yet been opened;  
  • Flammable materials or tobacco, such as lighters, matches, cigarettes, or cigars; 
  • Sharp objects, such as: scissors, knives, or nail files; and 
  • Weapons or explosives of any kind. 

This list is not all-inclusive, and security officials reserve the right to deny entry of items determined to be unsafe or a threat to security. 

Useful Information

Notarial Services of U.S. Consular Officers Abroad

National Notary Association

Authentication Services

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