Guide to Online US Notarization › How to Notarize Documents from Abroad
How to Notarize US Documents from Abroad
Living outside the US? You can notarize US documents via secure video call — no travel, no US embassy visit required. Foreign passports accepted. Available 24/7 from any country.
US Embassy alternative: US embassies offer notarial services but have limited hours, require in-person appointments, and often have weeks-long wait times. Remote Notary Online USA provides the same legally valid notarization via video call — available 24/7, same-day appointments, no travel required.
Step-by-Step: Notarizing from Abroad
The complete process from booking to receiving your notarized document.
Book your appointment
Schedule online at remotenotaryonlineusa.com or call +1 347-351-7611. Same-day appointments are available 24/7 — pick a time that works in your time zone, whether you're in Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, or anywhere else.
Prepare your document
Have the unsigned document ready as a PDF (for electronic signing) or as a physical copy (for wet-ink signing held up to the camera). Do not sign it before the session — the notary must witness your signature for the notarization to be valid.
Join the video call
Connect via your phone, tablet, or computer at the scheduled time. Any device with a camera and microphone works. No special software is required — the session runs in your browser.
Present your ID
Show your government-issued photo ID to the camera. Foreign passports and national identity cards are accepted — no US ID required. The notary will verify your identity through credential analysis and live video confirmation as required by NY Executive Law §135-c.
Sign your document
Sign electronically (for digital documents) or physically (for paper documents held up to the camera for wet-ink signing). The notary witnesses your signature and applies the notarial seal.
Receive your notarized document
You receive the completed, notarized document digitally within minutes of the session. The document is legally valid and accepted by US courts, banks, government agencies, USCIS, and foreign embassies and consulates.
Request apostille if needed
If the document will be used in a foreign country that is a member of the Hague Convention, Remote Notary Online USA submits to the NYS Department of State for apostille certification. Standard processing: 2–5 business days. Expedited: same-day (additional fee).
Common Situations for Expats & Americans Abroad
Selling a US home from abroad
Notarize a Power of Attorney authorizing someone in the US to sign closing documents on your behalf. Submit for apostille if required by the title company.
Navigating US embassy notary backlogs
US embassies have limited notarial hours and long wait times. Remote Notary Online USA provides the same legally valid notarization via video call, available 24/7, with same-day appointments.
Retirement visa applications
Many countries require notarized proof of income, bank statements, or Social Security benefit letters for retirement visa applications. Remote Notary Online USA notarizes these documents from any country.
Foreign property purchase
Buying property abroad often requires a notarized and apostilled Power of Attorney. Remote Notary Online USA handles both the notarization and the NYS DOS apostille submission.
International school enrollment
Many international schools require notarized copies of birth certificates, transcripts, or immunization records. Remote Notary Online USA notarizes these documents from any country.
Foreign bank account authorization
Opening a foreign bank account or authorizing transactions often requires a notarized signature. Remote Notary Online USA notarizes bank authorization letters and financial documents from any country.
USCIS immigration documents
I-864 Affidavit of Support, affidavits of relationship, and other USCIS forms require notarization. Remote Notary Online USA notarizes immigration documents for clients living abroad.
Estate planning while abroad
Wills, trusts, healthcare proxies, and durable powers of attorney require notarization. Remote Notary Online USA notarizes estate planning documents for US citizens living in any country.
Three Routes for Notarizing Abroad — Compared
Every American abroad has exactly three options. Picking the wrong one is discovered by your recipient, not you.
| Route | Cost | Speed | Best for | Apostille needed for US use? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Remote Online Notary (RON) | $25/doc | Same day — often within hours | Most situations — fastest, cheapest, 24/7 | No |
| US Embassy / Consulate | $50/seal | Days to weeks (appointment required) | Wet-ink raised seal required; recipient refuses RON | No |
| Local Foreign Notary | Varies | Fast locally — apostille adds days/weeks | Embassy unavailable and RON not accepted | Yes — from host country |
Need the full decision guide? See our complete notarizing-abroad comparison →
Which Route Should You Use?
Match your situation to the right route before you book or pay anything.
| Your situation | Use this route | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Document stays in the US, no further steps needed | Remote Online Notary | Same-day, $25, legally identical to in-person under NY Executive Law §135-c. |
| Embassy is booked out and you need it today | Remote Online Notary | Available 24/7 with same-day appointments from any country. |
| Recipient insists on a wet-ink original with a raised seal | US Embassy | Consular seal is a federal act — complete on its own for domestic US use. |
| No US embassy where you are (suspended posts) | Remote Online Notary | Works from any country with internet access. No embassy required. |
| Selling a US property while living abroad | Remote Online Notary + Apostille | Notarize your POA via video call. We submit to NYS DOS for apostille. |
| USCIS immigration documents (I-864, affidavits) | Remote Online Notary | USCIS accepts RON notarizations. Same-day turnaround available. |
| Document going to a third country (not the US) | Depends on destination | For Hague countries, a NYS apostille on a RON document is accepted. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Notarize from Abroad?
Book a same-day appointment with Remote Notary Online USA, NYS-commissioned Remote Online Notary. Available 24/7. Foreign passports accepted. No US address required.
Need help right now?
Message us on WhatsApp or share this guide with someone abroad who needs to notarize a US document.