U.S. Embassy in Côte
d'Ivoire

Overview

Notarial services are by appointment only. If you have multiple documents to be notarized, you should only make one appointment.  On the day of your appointment, you must bring the document(s) to be notarized, along with your identification and one clear photocopy.  The fee for the service is $50 USD or the equivalent in West African CFA per notarial stamp, which must be paid in cash at the Embassy on the day of the appointment.  If your papers require a witness, please bring a witness with you.  If you require notarization on translated documents, the person who translated the document must be present at the notarization.

All notarial services are by appointment only, and appointments are limited.  Please monitor the website as there are frequent cancellations. There are not any notarial services appointments other than the available dates on our appointment website.

On the day of your appointment, you must:

• • • Bring the complete, unsigned documents to be notarized. Even if there are pages that do not require signature or seals, you must present the entire packet.
    • Present a valid government-issued ID identification such as a passport, driver’s license, Ivoirian national ID, or other consular ID card. The name on the documents must be the same as the name on your ID.
    • Pay $50 USD for each notary signature and seal (payment accepted in cash only – U.S. dollars or West African CFA francs).
    • Be of sound mind and understand the document you want notarized. Consular staff are not permitted to explain contents to you.
    • If your notary service requires a witness, you must arrange for your own witness(es). Consular staff cannot witness your documents. Witnesses must be over the age of 18 and available at time of signing.  Witnesses must bring their government-issued photo ID, and one photocopy.
    • Affidavit of Eligibility to Marry (Capacité Matrimoniale):  On the day of your appointment, you must bring your own written statement to notarize, drafted by you, attesting your freedom to get married, along with your passport and one clear photocopy of your passport. To obtain information on what you need to get married in Côte d’Ivoire, you should confirm all requirements with the office of the respective city hall (le mairie) where the marriage will take place.

Examples of Notarial Services Performed At No Charge

DS-3053:  To notarize a DS-3053 Statement of Consent: Issuance of a U.S. Passport To a Minor Under Age 16 (PDF, 345K), please review the instructions listed on the form, the information fields that must be completed, and bring your original, valid, government-issued photo ID as well as a photocopy of both sides. As the U.S. Department of State requires that this form be notarized, this service is performed free of charge.

Power of Attorney (in conjunction with U.S. passport applications):  When both parents are unable to be personally present to apply for a minor’s U.S. passport, and they wish to designate a third party to do so, they may sign a power of attorney (POA) before a notary public.  Note that photocopies of both sides of each parents’ original, valid, government-issued photo ID must be included with the POA. As the U.S. Department of State requires that this form be notarized, this service is performed free of charge.

At the Direct Request of a U.S. Municipal, State or Federal Entity

At the Direct Request of a Foreign Government:  For example, if Côte d’Ivoire’s Secretary of Foreign Relations requests that the Embassy notarize documents to be used to collect child support in the United States. Or, if an Ivoirian migrant assistance agency requests the Embassy or notarize a document for a parent to request a child’s birth certificate.