Notarized Document with Witnesses at American Consulate?

[sante]

A friend has an appointment at the American Consulate to have a US document notarized. He needs two witnesses. What's the procedure? Can he bring extra people to his appointment or will he be able to use consulate employees or maybe other Americans in the building as his witnesses? I've had several documents notarized there, residence & income, but they didn't need witness signatures.

[mgbcnx]

For information you can call them at 053-107-700. Or, they respond promptly to fax: 053-252-633...

[Berkshire]

My experience is that you don't need to bring a witness. For $50, I should hope they can provide someone to sign the document.

[sante]

He needs someone to sign the document, the certified notary person, plus two additional witnesses. It's for a U.S. document. I was hoping someone had a similar experience. Thanks.

[Rama]

The only US document that I've ever heard where they put witnesses on is a Last Will and Testament. And even with those, lawyers routinely have their assistants sign without ever actually witnessing the signing. Have your witnesses just sign later after you leave the consulate.

[Berkshire]

He needs someone to sign the document, the certified notary person, plus two additional witnesses. It's for a U.S. document. I was hoping someone had a similar experience. Thanks.

Again, Sante, I've had to notarize US documents before at the consulate and did not need to bring witnesses.

[sante]

The document involves real estate transfer in Florida. My friend did thorough research and confirmation of the requirement because he really doesn't want to drag two other people to the American Consulate, especially so early in the morning. This two witness condition seems specific to the state of Florida.

[Suradit69]

From their website:

For us to notarize your documents, you must:

• Have government-issued photo ID;
• Understand your document. We are not allowed to explain the contents to you;
• Complete the document with the appropriate names, places, and dates before you arrive (but don't sign it; you'll sign it at the Embassy in front of a Consul);
• Pay the appropriate fee (see below). We accept cash payments in U.S. dollars or Thai baht or credit cards. We do not accept checks.
• If your document requires the presence of witnesses in addition to the notarization, you must supply these witnesses. Our staff cannot act as witnesses.
• We can only provide notary services for American citizens, legal permanent residents, their spouses and dependents, or when the documents to be notarized will be used in the United States. We are usually unable to notarize documents brought in by foreign nationals to be used outside of the U.S.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service/notarial-services.html

[sante]

Yes, I did read the stipulations on the consulate site. Guess I'm wondering if the document can be notarized at the consulate and then have the other witnesses sign afterwards. Security is so strict at the consulate that I didn't even know if extra people showing up with the appointment person would be admitted. I've always gone alone and this is the first time for my friend.

[Suradit69]

Yes, I did read the stipulations on the consulate site. Guess I'm wondering if the document can be notarized at the consulate and then have the other witnesses sign afterwards. Security is so strict at the consulate that I didn't even know if extra people showing up with the appointment person would be admitted. I've always gone alone and this is the first time for my friend.

"Guess I'm wondering if the document can be notarized at the consulate and then have the other witnesses sign afterwards"

I doubt anyone would know the difference, but technically they are saying they witnessed him/her signing the document, which they couldn't do if it had already been signed in front of the notary earlier.

And, if there are printed spaces on the documents for the witnesses, the notary may want them lined out if there is no one on hand to sign there since the notary is implying that he/she saw all the spaces filled in or signed before the seal was affixed. I doubt the notary would be happy leaving empty signature spaces for the witnesses.

[Dante99]

Yes, I did read the stipulations on the consulate site. Guess I'm wondering if the document can be notarized at the consulate and then have the other witnesses sign afterwards. Security is so strict at the consulate that I didn't even know if extra people showing up with the appointment person would be admitted. I've always gone alone and this is the first time for my friend.

They say you must supply the witnesses so take them to the Consul with you. The Consul goes by the book and a witness must witness. If the guards will not let them in, ask them to wait and go in and ask the Consular Officer to get them in.

Or you could continue with your speculations and roll the dice.

[mesquite]

I once went there with a document that required witnesses, something I had missed when I read it. The consular official noticed it and said i could go out to the waiting room and ask two people. He said it happens frequently. I did and two people witnessed my signature without a problem.

[sante]

Thanks, mesquite, that's the information I was hoping to find.