Notarizing the I-134

[danielm2]

So I've been in Guangzhou for the last couple months. I brought everything I needed with me, including the I-134. Being that our interview is coming up May 15, I have been double and triple checking everything. I came to the conclusion that I needed to change/update some of the information on my I-134. So I printed off the form once again and filled it in with the updated information.

 

Today I went to the American Citizen's Hour at the Consulate here in Guangzhou. The young man there who helped me said that the form is now "obsolete." The I-134 doesn't need to be notarized and as long as I sign it, that's all that's required. He immediately asked me if it was for a K1 Fiance Visa, and I said yes. So he knows what he's talking about, right????

 

Hmmmmmmm.........

 

I have never heard about this anywhere. I already sent the Consulate an email checking up to see if I get a response that says differently. Has anybody ever heard of this before? Not needing to notarize the I-134 and signing it yourself is good enough?

 

Being that I'm here in Guangzhou, and the U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad have a monoploy on the notarizing business outside America, I don't really have any other options if they say they don't need to notarize it because it's not required.

 

Haha, this was the last thing I expected. All I wanted to do was go notarize a form and now the nerves have been turned up yet one more notch!!

 

Thanks for any help!

[dnoblett]

The VO is thinking about the other Affidavit of Support (I-864) used by CR-1 IR-1 and immigration visas other than K-Visas. I-864 no longer needs notarized signature, not the I-134.

 

You can get the I-134 notarized at the old consulate on Shamian island.

[Randy W]

USCONGUZ responded to that same question a while back by saying that the I-134 form requires notarization.

[dnoblett]

USCONGUZ responded to that same question a while back by saying that the I-134 form requires notarization.

Yes SEE: http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?...c=19521&hl=

[danielm2]

The VO is thinking about the other Affidavit of Support (I-864) used by CR-1 IR-1 and immigration visas other than K-Visas. I-864 no longer needs notarized signature, not the I-134.

 

You can get the I-134 notarized at the old consulate on Shamian island.

 

Thanks for the much needed info. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the American Citizen's Hour was at the American Consulate/"Mei Guo Ling Shi Guan" in "Tian He." And as the Guangzhou Consulate website says, notarizing should be taken care of during this time.

 

I'm not doubting you!!! Please fill me in on when is the best time to go to Shamian Island......when is it appropriate to go to Shamian Island to notarize a document? Anytime - just walk in with your American passport and say you need to notarize a document???

 

Thanks for the help!

[dnoblett]

Thanks for the much needed info. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the American Citizen's Hour was at the American Consulate/"Mei Guo Ling Shi Guan" in "Tian He." And as the Guangzhou Consulate website says, notarizing should be taken care of during this time.

 

I'm not doubting you!!! Please fill me in on when is the best time to go to Shamian Island......when is it appropriate to go to Shamian Island to notarize a document? Anytime - just walk in with your American passport and say you need to notarize a document???

 

Thanks for the help!

From reports I have read the Tian He location officer has told others to go to the old consulate on Shamain Island for the notary, perhaps they were trying at other times other than ACH.

 

You may try at the Tian He consulate during ACH on Fridays, they may do it there. If not you can ask about walk in at the old location for notary.

[warpedbored]

I asked the question in GZ speaks just in case there has been a change in policy.

[danielm2]

I asked the question in GZ speaks just in case there has been a change in policy.

Okay, thanks alot! I found the thread in GZ speaks and I'll be waiting to see how they reply.

[danielm2]

I went back to the Consulate today to get my I-134 notarized.

 

Upon checking in, I was greeted by the same young man that assisted me last week. Once again, he insisted that the I-134 does not need to be notarized. I proceeded to say that I know the I-864 does not need to be notarized, but I'm "almost" certain the I-134 does.

 

He told me to take a seat and he would check into it further. After a few minutes, he called me back to the window. He said he had just checked with some immigration officers (VO's???), and they said that the I-134 does not need to be notarized. We talked about it for 10 or 15 seconds, and then he asked me if I would still like it notarized, and I said yes.

 

So I took a seat once again, and then a lady that looked to be in her mid-40's called me to the window. She said she was an immigration officer and could notarize the document for me for $30. BUT, she said that as an immigration officer, she was telling me it doesn't need to be notarized. I talked with her for a minute or so and was like, "so come my fiance's interview on the 15th there won't be a bad surprise, etc."

 

She said that it would not be a problem at all. I then asked her if she could put it in on paper, and she told me to wait one moment. When she came back, she said that she had just checked with 4 or 5 other immigration officers (VO's??), and then all confirmed that notarizing the I-134 is not necessary. She kept insisting that it was not necessary at all and didn't want to take my $30.

 

I said alright, thanked her, and returned to my seat to gather my items. After about 30 seconds, I went back to the window one more time and asked for her name and information so if there is a problem, my fiance during her interview could explain this all. She gave me her name card and said that if during the interview there is any problems, give that to the VO and explain the situation, and tell the VO she assured me that it does not need to be notarized.

 

Soooooo, that's where I stand now. Part of me still thinks I should have just had it notarized, but the lady was very nice, and extremely helpfully, and she being an immigration officer (VO??), should know what she's talking about, right?

 

So I left the Consulate feeling pretty content. After I went to the Consulate last Friday and was told this information, I emailed the Consulate via their webpage. I still have not received a reply, but that is probably normal being it's still the May 1st holiday. This question was also posed in Guangzhou speaks, and there has yet to be a reply.

 

I still have all of next week to get this matter taken care of if need be. After alittle "pushing," going to the Consulate is the place to get notarizing done. So I can go back next week and have it notarized if need be.

 

So, what would you all say the consensus is?? Does the I-134 need to be notarized or not?

 

Thanks

[robert]

I went back to the Consulate today to get my I-134 notarized.

 

Upon checking in, I was greeted by the same young man that assisted me last week. Once again, he insisted that the I-134 does not need to be notarized. I proceeded to say that I know the I-864 does not need to be notarized, but I'm "almost" certain the I-134 does.

 

He told me to take a seat and he would check into it further. After a few minutes, he called me back to the window. He said he had just checked with some immigration officers (VO's???), and they said that the I-134 does not need to be notarized. We talked about it for 10 or 15 seconds, and then he asked me if I would still like it notarized, and I said yes.

 

So I took a seat once again, and then a lady that looked to be in her mid-40's called me to the window. She said she was an immigration officer and could notarize the document for me for $30. BUT, she said that as an immigration officer, she was telling me it doesn't need to be notarized. I talked with her for a minute or so and was like, "so come my fiance's interview on the 15th there won't be a bad surprise, etc."

 

She said that it would not be a problem at all. I then asked her if she could put it in on paper, and she told me to wait one moment. When she came back, she said that she had just checked with 4 or 5 other immigration officers (VO's??), and then all confirmed that notarizing the I-134 is not necessary. She kept insisting that it was not necessary at all and didn't want to take my $30.

 

I said alright, thanked her, and returned to my seat to gather my items. After about 30 seconds, I went back to the window one more time and asked for her name and information so if there is a problem, my fiance during her interview could explain this all. She gave me her name card and said that if during the interview there is any problems, give that to the VO and explain the situation, and tell the VO she assured me that it does not need to be notarized.

 

Soooooo, that's where I stand now. Part of me still thinks I should have just had it notarized, but the lady was very nice, and extremely helpfully, and she being an immigration officer (VO??), should know what she's talking about, right?

 

So I left the Consulate feeling pretty content. After I went to the Consulate last Friday and was told this information, I emailed the Consulate via their webpage. I still have not received a reply, but that is probably normal being it's still the May 1st holiday. This question was also posed in Guangzhou speaks, and there has yet to be a reply.

 

I still have all of next week to get this matter taken care of if need be. After alittle "pushing," going to the Consulate is the place to get notarizing done. So I can go back next week and have it notarized if need be.

 

So, what would you all say the consensus is?? Does the I-134 need to be notarized or not?

 

Thanks

After going this far in the process why risk it? I would not let $30.00 be a potential risk factor. Get it notarized and then you do not have to worry about the unexpected.....Rob

[dnoblett]

So I took a seat once again, and then a lady that looked to be in her mid-40's called me to the window. She said she was an immigration officer and could notarize the document for me for $30. BUT, she said that as an immigration officer, she was telling me it doesn't need to be notarized. I talked with her for a minute or so and was like, "so come my fiance's interview on the 15th there won't be a bad surprise, etc."

 

She said that it would not be a problem at all. I then asked her if she could put it in on paper, and she told me to wait one moment. When she came back, she said that she had just checked with 4 or 5 other immigration officers (VO's??), and then all confirmed that notarizing the I-134 is not necessary. She kept insisting that it was not necessary at all and didn't want to take my $30.

 

So, what would you all say the consensus is?? Does the I-134 need to be notarized or not?

 

Thanks

Wow $30 is robbery considering that virtually all notaries in the USA don't charge anything.

 

Here is USCIS's take on this:

If the sponsor is in the United States, the affidavit may be sworn to or affirmed before an immigration officer (see any USCIS District or sub-office) or before a notary public or other official authorized to administer oaths for general purposes. If the sponsor is outside the United States, the affidavit must be sworn to or affirmed before a U.S. consular or immigration officer.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

 

It dosen't need to be notarized as long as you sign it in front of the VO and they sign the officer administering oath, no notary stamp is needed because they the U.S. Consular or immigration officer affirming it. This is the same deal with the DS-156K, and/or DS-230 part 2, for your SO.

 

You should be able to have this done at ACH, since the same officers administering the oath to your SO will be answering your questions and can administer the oath to you and they can sign form I-134 just like they sign DS-230 part 2 and DS-156K and other forms that your SO need to leave un-signed until the interview.

 

The reason for notarizing is for cases where the signer is not in the presence of an immigration or consular officer when signing it, this way they are assured that you are the person who signed the form.

 

For example if the CIS office in my area was convenient I could have brought the form to that office and had a case officer there sign for me. Again not notarized.

 

A notary is only one of the people that can affirm that the person signing is the named person on the form, you can also have an officer at CIS or at the Consulate affirm that you signed it; the officer at CIS or at the consulate need not be a notary public.

 

I hope this clears up this confusion.

Edited May 4, 2007 by dnoblett (see edit history)

[danielm2]

So I took a seat once again, and then a lady that looked to be in her mid-40's called me to the window. She said she was an immigration officer and could notarize the document for me for $30. BUT, she said that as an immigration officer, she was telling me it doesn't need to be notarized. I talked with her for a minute or so and was like, "so come my fiance's interview on the 15th there won't be a bad surprise, etc."

 

She said that it would not be a problem at all. I then asked her if she could put it in on paper, and she told me to wait one moment. When she came back, she said that she had just checked with 4 or 5 other immigration officers (VO's??), and then all confirmed that notarizing the I-134 is not necessary. She kept insisting that it was not necessary at all and didn't want to take my $30.

 

So, what would you all say the consensus is?? Does the I-134 need to be notarized or not?

 

Thanks

Wow $30 is robbery considering that virtually all notaries in the USA don't charge anything.

 

Here is USCIS's take on this:

If the sponsor is in the United States, the affidavit may be sworn to or affirmed before an immigration officer (see any USCIS District or sub-office) or before a notary public or other official authorized to administer oaths for general purposes. If the sponsor is outside the United States, the affidavit must be sworn to or affirmed before a U.S. consular or immigration officer.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

 

It dosen't need to be notarized as long as you sign it in front of the VO and they sign the officer administering oath, no notary stamp is needed because they the U.S. Consular or immigration officer affirming it. This is the same deal with the DS-156K, and/or DS-230 part 2, for your SO.

 

You should be able to have this done at ACH, since the same officers administering the oath to your SO will be answering your questions and can administer the oath to you and they can sign form I-134 just like they sign DS-230 part 2 and DS-156K and other forms that your SO need to leave un-signed until the interview.

 

The reason for notarizing is for cases where the signer is not in the presence of an immigration or consular officer when signing it, this way they are assured that you are the person who signed the form.

 

For example if the CIS office in my area was convenient I could have brought the form to that office and had a case officer there sign for me. Again not notarized.

 

A notary is only one of the people that can affirm that the person signing is the named person on the form, you can also have an officer at CIS or at the Consulate affirm that you signed it; the officer at CIS or at the consulate need not be a notary public.

 

I hope this clears up this confusion.

 

Hey Dan,

 

Thanks for talking me through this. After doing some further research this evening (China time here), and then checking back into CFL, I think we both have the same info now.

 

Next week I plan to go to the Consulate and not ask for them to notarize it for me, but just, as you stated, sign it in their presence.

 

As Robert stated, at the time it may have been smart just to forget it and have it notarized. I know I could still do that next week, so I wanted to first make sure I was crystal clear on the regulations, and I think I am now. So thanks for the help!

 

Best,

 

Dan

[david_dawei]

Next week I plan to go to the Consulate and not ask for them to notarize it for me, but just, as you stated, sign it in their presence.

then after you walk away, what proof do you have that it was signed in front of them (as opposed to while sitting at home watching CCTV)?

 

Sometime just doesn't add up with this issue.. I hope you figure it out.

[dnoblett]

Next week I plan to go to the Consulate and not ask for them to notarize it for me, but just, as you stated, sign it in their presence.

then after you walk away, what proof do you have that it was signed in front of them (as opposed to while sitting at home watching CCTV)?

 

Sometime just doesn't add up with this issue.. I hope you figure it out.

The signature and title of the consular officer the person giving the oath is all that is needed.

 

From the instructions included with form I-134

I. Execution of Affidavit.

• If you are in the United States, the affidavit may be sworn to or affirmed before an officer of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) without the payment of fee, or before a notary public or other officers authorized to administer oaths for general purposes, in which case the official seal or certificate of authority to administer oaths must be affixed.
  
• If you are outside the United States, the affidavit must be sworn to or notice affirmed before a U.S.consular or immigration officer.
  

Page 1 of form I-134 form instructions

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-134.pdf

 

Note either in the USA or outside the country, the officer at USCIS or at the consulate do not need to "notarize" the form only sign that they gave the oath and witnessed the signature.

 

If you use a third party "officers authorized to administer oaths for general purposes" to witness the signature "in which case the official seal or certificate of authority to administer oaths must be affixed" (Notary Seal). The majority of people signing I-134 form do so in front of a notary as underlined in the above quite, not in front of a consular officer or immigrations officer, so it is universally assumed that the form needs to be "Notarized".

Edited May 4, 2007 by dnoblett (see edit history)