American Citizen Services

NOTARY SERVICES

The American Citizen Services Unit provides notary services customarily provided by Notaries Public in the U.S.  Persons requiring such services should visit the American Citizen Services unit during regular office hours (1 p.m.- 4 p.m., Sunday – Thursday).

NOTE: A consular officer cannot witness a will and a consular officer cannot certify that documents are valid or that statements made are true. He or she can attest only to the oath taken by the person making the statements or presenting the documents.

Consular officers usually perform notary services for the following purposes:

Acknowledgement

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

Affidavit

Written declaration made under oath of affirmation; a sworn statement. Examples: marriage affidavit ("Nikah Nama"), paternity affidavit, affidavit concerning lost passport, affidavit of support, etc.

Certification of True Copy

We cannot certify true copies of U.S. documents such as marriage certificates, divorce decrees, death certificates, American Academic Credentials, etc.  You must obtain copies certified by the official custodian of the public records.  To apply for a certified copy of a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, please visit http://travel.state.gov/law/info/judicial/judicial_701.html.  For information on how to request birth, death, marriage or divorce records, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/howto/w2w/w2welcom.htm.

Authentication

An authentication is the placing of the consular seal over the seal of a foreign authority whose seal and signature is on file with the American embassy or consulate. A consular authentication in no way attests to the authenticity of the contents of a document but merely to the seal and signature of the issuing authority.

Individuals requesting Embassy authentication of Bangladesh documents for use in the United States must first obtain appropriate authentication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The authentication office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is located at:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of the
People's Republic of Bangladesh
Consular and Welfare Wing
Shegun Bagicha
Dhaka
Tel: 880-2-955-4032 or 880-2-956-8100

Authentication of American Academic Credentials for Use Abroad:

U. S. Embassies cannot authenticate diplomas or other documents from schools in the United States or provide notarial services related to such credentials.

U.S. Credentials for Use Abroad:

Some foreign countries continue to require authentication of academic credentials.  See Authentication of American Academic Credentials for Use Abroad on the U.S. Department of State website, http://travel.state.gov/law/info/info_606.html for guidance about how to obtain such records.

Please bring the following items when you come for a notarization:

1.   The documents to be notarized.

2.   Any kind of ID. Must submit at least one of the following:
      Valid Driver's License
      Valid Official Military ID
      Valid Government ID
      Valid U.S. or Foreign Passport with recognizable photo
      Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate from INS with recognizable photo
      Alien Resident Card from INS
        NOTE: Your Social Security Card does NOT prove your identity.

3.     Witnesses, if necessary.  You have to bring your own witnesses, as the Embassy does not provide witnesses.

4.     Fee: All fees must be paid in cash only in either U.S. Dollars or Bangladeshi Taka.

Fee for Notary Services - Acknowledgement or Affidavit:

a) For the first notarization service (seal) - US $30 or the Taka equivalent.
b) Each additional seal provided at the same time in connection with the same transaction on the same day - US $20 or the Taka equivalent.

Fee for Certified True Copies and Certifications:

a) For the first copy  - US $30 or the Taka equivalent.
b) Each additional seal provided at the same time - US $20 or the Taka equivalent.

Fee for Authentications:

Each authentication (seal) is US $30 or the Taka equivalent.