Notarization of Documents for Use in the United States of America

Through the Embassy

The American Citizen Services Branch of the U.S. Embassy in London provides notary services for those persons wishing to execute documents in the presence of a U.S. consular officer. This service is available to both American and foreign citizens who need to have documents notarized for use in the United States. To schedule an appointment please click on Notary Appointment System.

Through the British System

Alternatively, documents needing notarization for use in the United States can be notarized under the British system. Notarization under the British system is a two-step process.

Step 1:  Have your documents signed in front of a Notary Public. For your nearest Notary Public, please visit http://www.thenotariessociety.org.uk/ .

Step 2:  You must have the signature and seal of the Notary Public legalized by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO). The FCO will legalize documents by means of an Apostille, or certificate. In addition to documents witnessed by notaries public and solicitors, documents such as UK public records (birth, death, and marriage certificates; probate documents; all documents certified by court officials, the Patent Office, and Companies Registration Office, etc.) can be legalized at the FCO.

The FCO Legalisation Office will be moving to Milton Keynes in 2008. For further details, please telephone the Legalization Office at 020-7008-1111 or click on FCO Legalisation Office.

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