The U.S. Embassy in Eswatini provides notary services for documents intended for use in the United States. These services are available by appointment only, and all appointments must be scheduled through the embassy's ACS Appointment System.
A notary service at the embassy involves a person signing a document in front of a notarizing officer, who then certifies the authenticity of the individual's identity and signature. The embassy clarifies that this process does not include certifying true copies of documents or notarizing unsigned documents.
To use these services, individuals must appear in person with their complete, unsigned documents. The documents must be in English, and individuals should bring government-issued photo identification such as a valid passport. If signing on behalf of an organization, proof of authorization is required.
The fee for each notary seal or signature is $50 USD or its local equivalent. Payment can be made at the embassy using cash (USD, South African Rand, or Swazi Emalangeni), U.S.-based credit cards, or via pay.gov. Debit cards are not accepted.
If witnesses are needed for the document, it is the responsibility of the individual to arrange for them to attend the appointment as consular staff cannot serve as witnesses. All parties attending should be listed when making an appointment.
Individuals seeking notary services must understand their documents and sign them voluntarily. Consular staff cannot explain document contents or provide legal advice. Those with questions about their documents are advised to consult an attorney or the issuing agency.
The notarizing officer may either acknowledge that a signature was given freely and with understanding of the document’s contents or administer an oath affirming that its contents are true. However, officers do not certify that submitted document contents are accurate; they only confirm that individuals have signed and sworn to their truthfulness.
Notarial services may be refused if prohibited by law or treaty, if there is suspicion of unlawful intent, if required identification is lacking, if individuals do not comprehend what they are signing, or if other specific conditions apply.
U.S. citizens residing in Eswatini are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program at https://mytravel.state.gov/s/step to receive important updates from the embassy.