U.S. citizens abroad
Notarize an affidavit or sworn statement from abroad
An affidavit is a written statement you swear is true. The notary administers the oath and confirms who you are. From abroad, that can happen by secure video with a New Jersey notary.
Matthew Coleman, NJ Notary Public and NNA Certified Loan Signing Agent. Cranford, NJ. Fee confirmed before your session. Card charged only after it is complete. We aim to confirm within 15 minutes, 7am to 9pm.
When this comes up
Affidavits come up for court filings, insurance claims, title and name matters, lost documents, financial institutions and many other U.S. situations.
Ask the receiving party first
The most common reason a notarized document is rejected is that nobody checked what the other side would accept. Before you book, find out:
- Who is asking for the affidavit, and do they have a required form or wording? Use theirs if they do.
- Do they require a specific kind of notarial act? A jurat, where you swear to the statement, differs from an acknowledgment, where you confirm you signed. Only the receiving office can tell you which, and the notary cannot choose for you.
- Does the matter involve a U.S. court or agency? That affects whether a New Jersey notary can act for a signer outside the United States.
- Do they require original signatures or accept a digital document?
- Is the statement something a lawyer should review? A false statement under oath can have consequences.
How it works
- Ask the receiving party. Find out in writing whether it accepts a remote notarization and what kind of notarial act it needs.
- Send us the document. We check that it fits New Jersey's rules for a signer outside the United States. Tell us where you will be.
- Book a video session. Bring an unexpired government photo ID, a device with a camera and microphone, and a steady connection. Check the clock in both places.
- Sign on camera. We verify your identity, you sign when told to, and the notary completes the notarization.
- Send it on. You receive the notarized document to deliver or upload as the receiving party requires.
When a New Jersey notary can act
- The notary must be physically in New Jersey. You can be anywhere.
- The document must relate to a U.S. matter: it is filed with or before a U.S. court, public official or entity under U.S. jurisdiction, or it involves U.S. property or a transaction substantially connected with the United States.
- The act must not be prohibited where you are.
- The receiving party decides whether it accepts the result.
Mistakes that get paperwork rejected
- Signing ahead of time. For a sworn statement you sign in front of the notary.
- Swearing to something you are unsure of. Read the statement closely and correct it first.
- Expecting the notary to fix the wording. A notary cannot write or edit the content.
- Handing over a document with missing pages.
- Not checking that the receiving office takes a remote notarization.
Questions
What is the difference between a jurat and an acknowledgment?
In a jurat you swear or affirm the statement is true. In an acknowledgment you confirm that you signed the document willingly. The receiving office usually says which one it needs.
Can the notary tell me which one I need?
No. Choosing the type of notarization can amount to legal advice, so ask the office that will receive the document.
Can you notarize an affidavit for a foreign office?
That is a different path, often involving an apostille. See the apostille page, and ask the foreign office what it requires.
MCC Solutions is not a law firm and a notary cannot give legal advice, choose the type of notarization for you, or tell you what a document means. Ask the office or person who will receive the document what it needs, and ask a lawyer about the content.