Notarial and Authentication Services
Notarials
Notarial services are available on Mondays and Wednesdays between 1:00pm and 4:00pm. Signatories must present a valid passport or other valid official photo identification document (which contains the bearer's signature) and must also provide any additional witnesses if required by the document being notarized.
Notarial services are provided for a fee of US$50.00 or Sri Lankan Rupees 6,800.00 for the first notarial seal and signature and another US$50 or Sri Lankan Rupees 6,800 each subsequent notarial seal and signature provided at the same time for the same transaction.
More information on notarials is available on the State Department website.
Please make an make an appointment for notarials.
Authentication of Documents
An authentication is a certification of the genuineness of the signature and seal or the position of a foreign official who has previously executed, issued, or certified a document so that a document executed or issued in one jurisdiction may be recognized in another jurisdiction. The U.S. Embassy in Colombo can authenticate the seal and signatures of Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry officials.
Authentication services are available on Mondays and Wednesdays between 1:00pm and 4:00pm and are provided for a fee of US$50.00 or Rs.6,800.00 for each authentication.
Please make an appointment for an authentication.
Academic Credentials
Foreign Academic Credentials for Use in the United States: U.S. Consular Officers cannot authenticate or provide certified true copies of foreign academic credentials, transcripts, or degrees for use in the United States.
The U.S. Departments of State and Education determined in 1983 that there is no statutory requirement for U.S. consuls to authenticate foreign academic credentials. The U.S. Department of Education and the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers agree that authentication in no way alleviates the problem of fraud as the information contained in the document is not confirmed, only the seal and signature are authenticated.
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, Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet page for guidance about how to obtain such records.
U.S. Military Schools: Copies of school records can be obtained from the National Military Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
Getting Funds
Should you lose all your money and other financial resources, Consular Officers can help you contact your family, bank, or employer to arrange for them to send you money.