I-134 Notarized ?

[Rob_Lesya 4]

In order to clear up the confusion that is caused here from time to time by the arguments regarding whether the I-134 needs to be notarized I decided to do what apparently no one else here has bothered to do -- actually ask the consulate instead of simply offering my opinion about the issue. Here is my question and their answer:

Your website states that the Affidavit of Support (I-134) needs to be notarized. However, the latest verson of the form has removed the space for the notary to sign and the instructions state that it does not need to be notarized.

So--- does the form need to be notarized when submitted to the Consulate?

No, the new form does not need to be notarized.

Sincerely,

Public Liaison Unit

Consular Section

US Embassy, Moscow

Hopefully this will settle the issue once and for all and will end some of the silly arguments that have been put forth for why the document still needs to be notarized.

[baron555 934]

In order to clear up the confusion that is caused here from time to time by the arguments regarding whether the I-134 needs to be notarized I decided to do what apparently no one else here has bothered to do -- actually ask the consulate instead of simply offering my opinion about the issue. Here is my question and their answer:

Your website states that the Affidavit of Support (I-134) needs to be notarized. However, the latest verson of the form has removed the space for the notary to sign and the instructions state that it does not need to be notarized.

So--- does the form need to be notarized when submitted to the Consulate?

No, the new form does not need to be notarized.

Sincerely,

Public Liaison Unit

Consular Section

US Embassy, Moscow

Hopefully this will settle the issue once and for all and will end some of the silly arguments that have been put forth for why the document still needs to be notarized.

I used the new form and still had it notarized, since I took the language still in print on the website as my marching orders.

The total cost was $1.

I always, through this entire journey, have hedged my bets, when I could, to be in our favor.

Just my journey; everyone else's may be different.

I fail to understand why this is such a big deal to some folks. Some have done it and some have not.

Edited October 15, 2009 by baron555

[SMR 368]

In order to clear up the confusion that is caused here from time to time by the arguments regarding whether the I-134 needs to be notarized I decided to do what apparently no one else here has bothered to do -- actually ask the consulate instead of simply offering my opinion about the issue. Here is my question and their answer:

Your website states that the Affidavit of Support (I-134) needs to be notarized. However, the latest verson of the form has removed the space for the notary to sign and the instructions state that it does not need to be notarized.

So--- does the form need to be notarized when submitted to the Consulate?

No, the new form does not need to be notarized.

Sincerely,

Public Liaison Unit

Consular Section

US Embassy, Moscow

Hopefully this will settle the issue once and for all and will end some of the silly arguments that have been put forth for why the document still needs to be notarized.

I used the new form and still had it notarized, since I took the language still in print on the website as my marching orders.

The total cost was $1.

I always, through this entire journey, have hedged my bets, when I could, to be in our favor.

Just my journey; everyone else's may be different.

I fail to understand why this is such a big deal to some folks. Some have done it and some have not.

My credit union notarized it for free. But thanks for doing the research and getting a definitive answer. It helps those that come after.

[kylejb 0]

I got the same answer.

No, the new form (2008) does not need to be notarized.

Sincerely,

Public Liaison Unit

Consular Section

US Embassy, Moscow

[LvivLovers 39]

I think the main confusion on this (as well as in most immigration topics) is there seems to be no consistency...it was our experience when we were getting our visa that every officer we talked to gave us a different answer...they had less of a clue than we did on things (thanks to VisaJourney) and seemed to just make up whatever rules/variations they wished without regard to what was really correct. Even within the same embassay at the same time, we had heard stories some officers required notorizations, and some didn't. Since notorizations are cheap and easy to get, we figured why not just play it safe and got them anyway.

Edited October 15, 2009 by LvivLovers

[baron555 934]

To me a $1 (or free for others) notarization was a no-brainer decision. It CAN NOT hurt.

Edited October 15, 2009 by baron555

[Rob_Lesya 4]

To me a $1 (or free for others) notarization was a no-brainer decision. It CAN NOT hurt.

As far as I know, no one ever said that notarizing the I-134 could hurt you. For that matter, you could notarize EVERY single piece of paper that you submit to the Consulate. We read stories all the time about guys who notarize their tax transcripts. Heck, you could sign and notarize the photos you submit if you wanted to. It won't hurt a thing. Of course, it's also totally unnecessary.

And that's the question that arises here from time to time--- Do I NEED to notarize my I-134? Well .....

- the instructions for the form specifically say NO

- the form itself says NO by the fact that it doesn't allow any place for a notary to sign or place their seal

- any time the question has been posed to the Moscow Consulate, the answer has consistently been NO

- US Code Title 28 Part V Chapter 115 Section 1746 (which is the section of US Civil Code which led to the change in the form in the first place) says NO

- I'm not aware of any ACTUAL single case in Moscow since the form was changed where someone presented an unnotarized form and was denied, placed in Administrative Review, told they needed to go back and have the form notarized, or in any other way, shape, or form suffered any negative consequence. I've read a bit of MIGHT, COULD, POSSIBLY, etc conjecture on various forums... but no actual examples.

So, when somebody asks, "Do I NEED to notarize my I-134", the simple answer is NO. To tell them otherwise is to give inaccurate information and to add to the confusion that this site seeks to eliminate.

It IS unfortunate that the Moscow Embassy website hasn't been updated and still has the statement about notarizing the document. Hopefully, they will FINALLY update that section of the website someday! But by the same token, they also haven't updated the interview schedule in well over 6 weeks now --- does that mean that the Moscow Embassy is no longer scheduling interviews? Of course not. People are still receiving their interview dates. How are they doing it? By simply calling or e-mailing the Embassy and asking. Which is all that was ever necessary in order to answer any questions or confusion over the I-134.

[baron555 934]

So, you agree this is really a non-issue?

You can tell others in the future that there is no harm (and little cost) to notarizing the form?

I don't see the need for all the discussion but I am now up to the task to do it.

Personally until the website is updated, that is the official stated position of the Embassy, and until they change it, I WILL suggest that everyone play it careful and notarize their I-134.

It only costs a dollar. Why are we having this discussion?

Edited October 15, 2009 by baron555

[norrin 3]

The new form does not need to be notarized..in fact there is no place to put the notary stamp....having said that, the Moscow Embassy website still says it has to be notarized. Contacting the Embassy they took more than two weeks to respond with "As per the website it needs to be notarized".., however calling they told me no it didn't need to be notarized..guess what I did....I notarized it! If it is not required and I don't have it no problem, if it is required and I don't have it problem so, better to be safe than sorry.

[baron555 934]

The new form does not need to be notarized..in fact there is no place to put the notary stamp....having said that, the Moscow Embassy website still says it has to be notarized. Contacting the Embassy they took more than two weeks to respond with "As per the website it needs to be notarized".., however calling they told me no it didn't need to be notarized..guess what I did....I notarized it! If it is not required and I don't have it no problem, if it is required and I don't have it problem so, better to be safe than sorry.

If folks with Russian spouses or spouse-to-be are losing sleep over notarizing the form or not notarizing the form, I am willing to send them the $1 that it will cost them to have it notarized.

This is a non-issue that is trying to be made into an issue.

Folks, you have far better things to worry about. Trust me.

[AKguy 1]

I have 300 forms to be notarized.

I accept cash, check & paypal.

[clueless_in_usa 8]

If folks with Russian spouses or spouse-to-be are losing sleep over notarizing the form or not notarizing the form, I am willing to send them the $1 that it will cost them to have it notarized.

This is a non-issue that is trying to be made into an issue.

Folks, you have far better things to worry about. Trust me.

How can they (the people in the consulate) say that this or some other financial document has to be notarized when they suggest sending such documents directly to them via email if necessary?

One reason I did not notarize it was my plan to send it via email. Later I preferred to travel to see my SO and I gave it to her in person instead ... still not notarized

In fact, our translations were also straight translations to English without certifications. What did the consulate say about it?

NOTHING!

Edited October 16, 2009 by clueless_in_usa

[baron555 934]

What did the consulate say about it?

NOTHING!

Actually the consulate DOES state on the website that if the original language is in Russian, it does NOT need to be a certified translation.

You're comparing apples and oranges. Sri, not related to the first discussion.

[Rob_Lesya 4]

What did the consulate say about it?

NOTHING!

Actually the consulate DOES state on the website that if the original language is in Russian, it does NOT need to be a certified translation.

You're comparing apples and oranges. Sri, not related to the first discussion.

It looks like you walked past a barrel of apples---

One reason I did not notarize it was my plan to send it via email. Later I preferred to travel to see my SO and I gave it to her in person instead ... still not notarized

Phil, you seem to be the only one determined to "make this an issue". I truly don't understand why you're so apoplectic about wanting to give people incorrect information and wanting to continue to confuse those going through the process.

The facts have been given... the form says don't notarize, when contacted directly the Consulate says there's no need to notarize, the LAW says there no need to notarize (which also means that the Consulate couldn't REQUIRE you to notarize even if they wanted to).

If you want to continue giving people incorrect information and adding to their stress and confusion while going through the process-- then feel free to go right ahead, man. I sincerely never sought to pick a fight with you... and sincerely don't want to see you pop a blood vessel over this.

[baron555 934]

For the $1 it cost to notarize it, it never even dawned on me that it would be a problem to notarize it.

I did this because the consulate says so on their website; I never thought to challenge them on it.

I have been continually instructed that there are consulate specific requirements and hoops you have to jump through, depending on the country.

I intended to send mine via FedEx and I did that.

So, yes everyone, save your dollar bill.

I'll be quiet now.