U.S. Citizen Services

Notarial Services

Documents used for legal purposes in the United States of America may require notarization by the U.S. Consular Officer. In order to notarize a document, you are required to come with proof of your identity e.g. driver's licence or passport.

The individual who needs to sign the document must appear in person. If there are witnesses required, you must bring with you those witnesses. The Consular Officer or Embassy staff cannot act witnesses on anyone's behalf.

The document to be signed can not be signed until requested to do so by the Consular Officer.

The Consular Officer can provide authentications of official Rwandan documents and administer an affidavit whereby you swear or affirm the contents of a document are true. That does not mean that the Consular Officer is certifying that the contents of submitted document are true. The Officer only certifies that you have made an oath or affirmation. The Consular Officer cannot translate or explain the contents of a document to a client.  The Department of State regards the certification of true copies of original documents as a non-essential, discretionary function. In general, clients requesting the certification of a copy of a foreign government document will be referred to the authority that issued the document.  Additionally, embassies no longer certify copies of diplomas and transcripts for foreign students coming to the US to study.

There is a $30 fee for the first document and $20 for each additional document. The fee can also be paid in Rwanda Francs.