International Judicial Assistance, Notarial Services and Authentication of Documents
At the Department of State, we are aware that Americans traveling or living abroad may require judicial assistance. We’ve
put together information that we hope will be of use to you, should you want to check a process or procedure – or wish to
find an attorney. The laws and procedures governing service of process and obtaining evidence vary widely from country to
country and if we receive information from foreign governments concerning these topics, we include that information in the
country specific judicial assistance information pages at the link below. If such information is not available from an official
source in a foreign government, we advise private litigants and their attorneys to contact local attorneys in the foreign
country for counsel on how to serve process or obtain evidence. The Department of State is not in a position to give permission
or approve of attempts by private litigants and their attorneys in the United States to serve process on persons overseas
or to obtain evidence in other countries and has no authority to govern such conduct. Failure to abide by foreign law or procedure
can result in challenges to service of process or evidence in U.S. judicial proceedings. Persons seeking to serve process
or take evidence in a foreign country in a manner that is not consistent with local law or procedure may also be subject to
any civil or criminal penalties that the local law provides for.
DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION IN THIS SITE RELATING TO THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF SPECIFIC FOREIGN COUNTRIES IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
ONLY AND MAY NOT BE TOTALLY ACCURATE IN A PARTICULAR CASE. QUESTIONS INVOLVING INTERPRETATION OF SPECIFIC FOREIGN LAWS SHOULD
BE ADDRESSED TO FOREIGN COUNSEL.
This is an official U.S. Government source. Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links does not imply endorsement of contents.
Country-Specific Information
Criminal Matters
Enforcement of Judgments
Family Law and Child Protection Issues
Foreign Attorney Information (Including List of Attorneys)
Notarial and Authentication Services
Obtaining Evidence Abroad
Other Useful Links
Property, Tourist, Trade and Commercial Complaints, Foreign Claims
Service of Process Abroad
Travel Abroad for Judicial Assistance Purposes