Overview

Notarial Services - Public Services

Documents used for legal purposes in the United States may require notarization by a U.S. consular official. However, treaty provisions allow for documents executed by New Zealand Notaries Public to be used in the U.S. without a consular authentication. As a result, if you need a notarial service, you have two options:

Option 1: Notarization by a U.S. Consular Official

The individual who needs to sign the document must appear in person at a consular office, present proper identification (a valid passport, driver's license or other official photo ID) and pay the appropriate fee. If witnesses are required, you must bring your own. Do not sign the document until requested to do so by the Consular Officer.

Depending on the nature of the document, the Consular Officer will either "take an acknowledgment*" that your signature was done freely and with an understanding of the document's contents or "administer an oath" whereby you swear or affirm the contents of a document are true.

Consular Officers do not certify that the contents of submitted documents are true. The officer only certifies that you have made an oath or affirmation that they are. As a general rule, the Consular Officer only certifies true copies of documents issued by the U.S. Department of State.

Option 2: Authentication

Documents notarized by a New Zealand Notary Public for use in the United States can be "authenticated" by a U.S. Consul or by the Authentication Unit of the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs.

To authenticate a document, present the document to a Notary Public who is listed with the U.S. consular office where you want to complete the authentication.

After the Notary Public has notarized the document, you can either:

• Submit the document by mail or in person (appointment required) to the U.S. Consular Office where the Notary Public is on record. A Consular Officer can "authenticate" the Notary's signature and seal for the document to be used in the United States.

Fees for notarial services can be paid in cash or credit card when requesting service in person. For mail requests, cashiers checks (bank checks) are accepted and should be made out to "U.S. Consulate General." Personal checks and bank cards are not accepted.

Documents submitted by mail must include a self-addressed, pre-paid envelope.

Contacts for Notarials/Authentications

      Or:

• Submit the document to the Authentication Unit of the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) for an authentication under a standardized certificate called an "apostille." DIA charges a fee. If the recipients of a such document in the U.S. claim it is unacceptable, refer them to the office of their state Secretary of State which should confirm the acceptability of the document.

Contact information for Authentication Unit of the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs:

Authentication Unit
Level 13, 86 Lambton Quay
Wellington 6011

dia.govt.nz/Document-authentication

Phone: +[64] (4) 470 2928

Freephone: 0800 872 675

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