I-134

[Chad&Tong]

I live outside of US (in China) so do i need to have my I-134 notarized at Guangzhou before her interview? The following is taken directly from the I-134 directions. Looks like I have to. Has anyoen done this? What day should I go to Guangzhou to do this?

 

"If you are in the United States, the affidavit may be

sworn to or affirmed before an officer of the

Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services

(CIS) 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 affirmed before a U.S.

consular or immigration officer."

 

My Aunt will notarize her I-134 in the states since she lives there.

 

Thanks

 

Chad and Tong

[Chad&Tong]

Just remembered.... I know a lawyer in shenzhen from california who has notary priveldges. You guys think he can notarize my I-134?

 

Thanks

 

Chad and Tong

[NY-Viking]

Just remembered.... I know a lawyer in shenzhen from california who has notary priveldges.  You guys think he can notarize my I-134?

 

Thanks

 

Chad and Tong

He might do it anyway, but he's really only authorized to notarize documents IN California.

 

U.S. Consulates have a bit of a monopoly on doing this in foreign countries, which is why they charge like 30 times the going U.S. rate. Although, I have seen reports on CFL of Consular officers notarizing documents related to fiancee visas for free -- but I wouldn't count on it.

[lele]

U.S. Consulates have a bit of a monopoly on doing this in foreign countries, which is why they charge like 30 times the going U.S. rate.  Although, I have seen reports on CFL of Consular officers notarizing documents related to fiancee visas for free -- but I wouldn't count on it.

It *costs* money to notarize documents at the consulate? Woah! What a farce!

 

My university does it free of charge. So does my bank.

[NY-Viking]

My university does it free of charge.  So does my bank.

Most notaries in the U.S. have a nominal charge in the range of $1 - $3, unless you have some sort of relationship with them.

[warpedbored]

It is pretty clear on the instructions. either a notary where you live or a USCIS official. Seems to me that the nearest consulate would be the correct choice. I don't think they charge money for the service. You could email them to ask.

[NY-Viking]

It is pretty clear on the instructions.  either a notary where you live or a USCIS official.  Seems to me that the nearest consulate would be the correct choice.  I don't think they charge money for the service. You could email them to ask.

Umm... the consulates most definately DO charge for notarizing documents - and like I said previously - their monopoly lets them charge a lot more than it costs in the U.S. - $30 for the first and $20 for each additional notarization. I had to have some documents notarized while I was working in Shanghai. No appointment was required - I just walked into American Citizen Services during normal hours.

 

Here's a link for their official word on it: http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn/shanghai...s/#anchor179847

 

Now, with that said, since the I-134 is basically used for the consulate's own purposes (well I guess actually your purposes, but your purposes at the consulate), and they'll only look at it for a minute, chances are they might be willing to waive the fee. I've seen at least one post on CFL where someone had their 134 notarized for free at a consulate, so it does happen.

 

EDIT: Also, since according to the I-134 CIS in the US can't charge a fee, it's possible this applies to consular officers as well. But it's not clear to me that they are required to do this for free from the language of the document.