Yeahrightdennis Posted November 24, 2022 Share Posted November 24, 2022 Hello everyone, I need going through a few forums for an answer but haven't found anything, so I guess I ask here. I have to go the the US Embassy next month to get my Free to Marry affidavit notorized. My question is, do I need a witness notorization? I tried to call and email the embassy, but no luck. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted November 24, 2022 Share Posted November 24, 2022 Not sure but I had to do an affidavit there that required a witness and I was allowed to just ask a random person in the lobby to do it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted November 24, 2022 Share Posted November 24, 2022 I will add that not surprisingly the embassy staff are not allowed to act as witnesses. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJ2U Posted November 24, 2022 Share Posted November 24, 2022 15 minutes ago, Yeahrightdennis said: I need a witness notorization I had the motorcycle taxi driver act as the witness, gave him 500 baht. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted November 24, 2022 Share Posted November 24, 2022 2 minutes ago, MrJ2U said: I had the motorcycle taxi driver act as the witness, gave him 500 baht. At the US embassy? I think not! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onerak Posted November 24, 2022 Share Posted November 24, 2022 I think in the US, a witness can be anybody who is not a party to the document being signed. But in the US, no random person will be willing to be a witness. However, this is Thailand so anything goes will be my guess. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaibeachlovers Posted November 24, 2022 Share Posted November 24, 2022 I can't help with the US embassy, but my signature was witnessed by the consular official in NZ embassy. Surely that is why we have to pay for such? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jerrymahoney Posted November 24, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted November 24, 2022 (edited) I did it SEP 2021 at US Embassy - Bangkok. No witness required. Edited November 24, 2022 by jerrymahoney 3 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post edwardflory Posted November 24, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted November 24, 2022 (edited) Just did one 1 month ago. 1) Make sure you have a appointment - via website. You will wait in line outside, Thai guard will let you in at appointment time - show proof of appointment at access window. INSIDE SECURITY: 1) NO cell phones - checked at security and put in lock bag, keep key - pick up on way out. Cigarettes, lighters and water bottles thrown in TRASH, backpacks xrayed, YOU go thru metal detector - possibility of hand search. INSIDE OATH AREA: 2) Make sure you have a UP TO DATE FORM ( they gave me one at window ) 3) $50 fee, pay at seperate window ( I paid with $50US ) KEEP RECEIPT and give / show to officer when called as proof of payment.. IF all the above correct, wait time INSIDE embassy, about 30 minutes. NO witness required. Edited November 24, 2022 by edwardflory spelling 4 1 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GinBoy2 Posted November 24, 2022 Share Posted November 24, 2022 I did this back in 2019, there is no witness The purpose of the notary is that they witness you swearing to the truth and your signature 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJ2U Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 10 hours ago, Jingthing said: At the US embassy? I think not! If thej witness is over 18, has an appointment and I'D its perfectly fine. Not everyone has a witness in there back pocket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PattayaKevin Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 Make sure you list 2 people you know in the United States on the form just need the names addresses of them. My local amphur then asked me the names of them and where they lived. Don't need any witnesses at the embassy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yeahrightdennis Posted November 25, 2022 Author Share Posted November 25, 2022 5 hours ago, edwardflory said: Just did one 1 month ago. 1) Make sure you have a appointment - via website. You will wait in line outside, Thai guard will let you in at appointment time - show proof of appointment at access window. INSIDE SECURITY: 1) NO cell phones - checked at security and put in lock bag, keep key - pick up on way out. Cigarettes, lighters and water bottles thrown in TRASH, backpacks xrayed, YOU go thru metal detector - possibility of hand search. INSIDE OATH AREA: 2) Make sure you have a UP TO DATE FORM ( they gave me one at window ) 3) $50 fee, pay at seperate window ( I paid with $50US ) KEEP RECEIPT and give / show to officer when called as proof of payment.. IF all the above correct, wait time INSIDE embassy, about 30 minutes. NO witness required. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThailandRyan Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 13 hours ago, MrJ2U said: I had the motorcycle taxi driver act as the witness, gave him 500 baht. How did he access the Embassy?, and better yet the US Citizens section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmmarvin Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 I did it once in Bangkok and one time in Chiang Mai. No witnesses needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 The document that I needed a witness for was real estate related. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclag Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 You will need that translated to Thai but you probably know that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopburi3 Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 5 hours ago, MrJ2U said: If thej witness is over 18, has an appointment and I'D its perfectly fine. Not everyone has a witness in there back pocket. 1. There is no witness other than the US Consular Officer who signs. 2. There is no access to US Embassy Consular area to MC drivers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThailandRyan Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 28 minutes ago, Jingthing said: The document that I needed a witness for was real estate related. I was in the embassy when a gentleman who was selling a house in the US needed a witness, no problem I said. You sign mine, I will sign yours and viola. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJ2U Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 3 hours ago, ThailandRyan said: How did he access the Embassy?, and better yet the US Citizens section. He used the front door. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJ2U Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 1 hour ago, lopburi3 said: There is no witness other than the US Consular Officer who signs "Our staff cannot act as witnesses. If your document requires the presence of witnesses in addition to the notarization, you must supply these witnesses and each witness MUST have their own scheduled appointment. Witnesses must bring their valid government-issued photo ID. You may also find someone in the waiting room willing to assist you as a witness." https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/notaries-public/notary-and-other-services-frequently-asked-questions/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopburi3 Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 8 minutes ago, MrJ2U said: He used the front door. It is a side door to the right of main visa section waiting area after entry by appointment only via a door/security check to the left of main old Embassy compound vehicle access and dates back more than 40 years. As pointed out by many - there is no signature required other than the Notarization official - he is the witness to your signature. Quote What is Signature Witnessing? A signature witnessing is an official notarial act, though not allowed in all states. To perform a signature witnessing, the Notary must have the signer personally appear and provide satisfactory proof of identity. The signer must then sign the document in the Notary's presence. https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2021/04/different-types-of-witnesses-and-witnessing-notaries#:~:text=What is Signature Witnessing%3F,document in the Notary's presence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJ2U Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 2 hours ago, lopburi3 said: As pointed out by many - there is no signature required other than the Notarization official - he is the witness to your signature Whoever's pointing that out is totally wrong. You need a witness. The Notarization official or any employee of the embassy cannot be a witness. https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/notaries-public/notary-and-other-services-frequently-asked-questions/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopburi3 Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 39 minutes ago, MrJ2U said: Whoever's pointing that out is totally wrong. You need a witness. The Notarization official or any employee of the embassy cannot be a witness. https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/notaries-public/notary-and-other-services-frequently-asked-questions/ You keep posting this which has nothing to do with the topic of marriage document (which only requires notarization signature/stamp). What you quote is additional witness requirements of some other documents and that person requiring must bring and they have own appointment or they ask someone in waiting room. Again this is not required for the document this topic is about. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJ2U Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 20 minutes ago, lopburi3 said: notarization Your talking of an affidavit, not to be confused with a legal notarization, or notary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaibeachlovers Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 6 hours ago, MrJ2U said: Your talking of an affidavit, not to be confused with a legal notarization, or notary. You seem confused. We pay to have an official witness that we personally sign a document. The official IS the witness. Other witnesses may be required for a different document that is not the topic, and in that case must be provided by the person applying for the document. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThailandRyan Posted November 26, 2022 Share Posted November 26, 2022 16 hours ago, MrJ2U said: He used the front door. Without an appointment, and without the proper ID I think not. The embassy does not allow others in unless they have an appointment inside, and a witness, if using one, must also have an appointment. To access the US Citizens side you need an appointment. When my now ex-wife had her appointment for the interview I could not access the embassy and had to wait outside. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GammaGlobulin Posted November 26, 2022 Share Posted November 26, 2022 Although I am free to marry, I would never marry a notary witness at the US Embassy. Also, being of sound mind, and logical, I just would never marry. But, I guess, I'm no Elizabeth Taylor. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaibeachlovers Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 On 11/26/2022 at 1:07 AM, MrJ2U said: Whoever's pointing that out is totally wrong. You need a witness. The Notarization official or any employee of the embassy cannot be a witness. https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/notaries-public/notary-and-other-services-frequently-asked-questions/ That would depend on the country then, and it's strange, given the consular official is only witnessing that you signed the paper. They don't actually verify that what you sign is true, only that you sign a document. So they want a witness to witness that the witness witnessed the signature. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallGuyJohninBKK Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 (edited) It's already pretty clearly been established above that the U.S. Embassy in BKK does not require Americans going there to obtain their certified freedom to marry affidavit to bring along any kind of witness. I got my freedom to marry affidavit there in the past, and no witness was required, nor does the Embassy webpage on marriage affidavits make any mention of needing a witness. The OP needs to download and fully complete the marriage affidavit document, IIRC except for his own signature, make an appointment to visit the US Embassy, and then present his US passport and the completed affidavit to the embassy officer, sign it in front of the officer, and then the officer will certify it, and return the certified document to the applicant. https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/getting-married-in-thailand/ Edited January 14, 2023 by TallGuyJohninBKK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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