Notarials

Notarial services are available for all nationalities by appointment

Notice

Documents used for legal purposes in South Africa can often be notarized free of charge at a South African Police Service (SAPS) station. Contact your nearest SAPS station for details.

Overview

Hand signing document Notarial services are for all nationalities and are by appointment only. Appointments for notary services in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town are made using the online appointment system. 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.

Fees must be paid in U.S. dollars, South African Rands or by credit or debit card at the time the service is provided. The card holder must be present and their name must appear on the card. All currency notes must be in good condition, unsoiled, and without tears or marks. Additionally, U.S. dollars issued prior to 2013 will not be accepted.

To schedule a notary appointment in Johannesburg email ACSJohannesburg@state.gov using the subject “Notary Appointment Request” and include a description of the document you need notarized.

To schedule a notary appointment in Durban email ACSDurban@state.gov using the subject “Notary Appointment Request” and include a description of the document you need notarized.

To schedule a notary appointment in Cape Town, please click here: Cape Town

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

Online Notarization

Many states now accept documents notarized online. Typical requirements for this services include a valid form of photo identification, internet access, and a camera-enabled device such as a laptop or smartphone. Please check your state’s specific guidelines for this by reviewing your state’s State Notary Handbook.

What we CANNOT do

Service of process – The American Citizen Services office is not authorized to serve legal documents in South Africa under the Hague Convention. Detailed information on the service of process in South Africa please visit the U.S. Department of State website.
Signature guarantee – U.S. banks or mutual fund companies often require signature guarantees. Unfortunately, we cannot legally perform a signature guarantee. Please check with your bank or stock company, here or in the U.S. for additional information.
Perform notaries on documents written in a language other than English.
Academic Credentials: We cannot notarize, certify, or authenticate academic credentials. A step-by-step guidance is provided on the State Department’s website.
The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General do not provide apostille services. If you need a U.S. birth certificate apostilled, you must follow instructions for the state where the child was born. You may visit this comprehensive list of state websites for how to request a birth certificate. To apostille a U.S. birth certificate, you must follow the instructions listed on the individual state’s website.

Security Information

CAPE TOWN: Note that frequent criminal acts – including mugging and assault – have taken place on Reddam Avenue between the U.S. Consulate General and Steenberg Village against visitors to the Consulate. Please use caution if you walk along this avenue to reach the Consulate for your appointment. As with previous guidance, remain situationally aware of your surroundings, keep valuables under your control and out of sight, and avoid large gatherings of people. Arriving to the Consulate by vehicle is recommended but note there is no customer parking available at the Consulate General so a drop-off and pick-up may be best. If you come upon a crime in progress, move away from the area immediately, head towards a safe location, and then notify the police (call: 10-111). The Consulate has no policing authority outside of our own compound.