Notarial Services

For the most up-to-date and complete information on Notarial and Authentication Services, please see the State Department web page: www.travel.state.gov.

Acknowledgement

Acknowledgement of a signature on documents for use in the United States. Used with deeds, powers of attorney, bills of sale, corporate acknowledgements, etc.

Note: If you sign for a company, you are required to show documentary evidence that you are entitled to do so (e.g. extract from the Registry of Commerce). If witnesses are required, please bring your own. Embassy staff cannot provide this service.

Affidavit

Written declaration made under oath or affirmation; a sworn statement. Examples: marriage affidavit, paternity affidavit, affidavit of translation, etc.

Note: We cannot authenticate U.S. documents such as marriage certificate, divorce decree, death certificate, etc.  Under the Hague Convention, an "apostille" by a U.S. Clerk of Court or a State Secretary of an individual state certifies authenticity of a U.S. document.

Fees

The fee is $30 or Swiss Franc equivalent for the first notarization on a given day and $20 or Swiss Franc equivalent for each subsequent notarization dealing with the same subject or transaction on the same day.

In Berne the fees can be paid in cash in either currency or with major credit cards together with a valid ID for identification purposes. Geneva and Zurich accept payments in Swiss Francs only.

Notarial services are available as follows:

American Embassy Bern Jubiläumsstrasse 95 3005 Bern Tel.: 031/357 72 34 Fax: 031/357 72 80 Monday through Friday 09:00 to 11:30 No appointment required except Wednesdays

Consular Agency Zurich Dufourstrasse 101 8008 Zurich Tel.: 043/499 29 60 Fax: 043/499 29 61 Monday through Friday 10:00 to 13:00 Appointment required

Consular Agency Geneva Rue Versonnex 7 1207 Geneva Tel.: 022/840 51 60 Fax: 022/840 51 62 Monday through Friday 10:00 to 13:00 No appointment required

Closed on Swiss and American holidays