Notary and Shipping Costs - Nigeria

[Kazulie 132]

Hey All!!!

As some of you may already know, I am trying desperately to NOT have to do a DNA test for my stepsons to receive their visas.

I have written out statements that I need to send to the boys and their mom (quit claim, proof of residency, proof of relationship, etc.) so they can print it out and get it notarized. Ideally, I would like to email their mom with attached Word files that she could open, print and get notarized. If this is not an option then I would print everything out here, mail her the documents and then all she would have to do is get it notarized.

Here are my questions:

1. (and forgive me for my stupidity) Is she going to be able to open a Word file in Nigeria? Like, if she goes to an internet cafe, are they going to have Microsoft Word on the computer and everything will open? Without being jumbled and all of that?

2. If I DO have to mail it to her, what is the best company to mail through in terms of money and time and NOT GETTING LOST? there will only be about 10 sheets of normal paper in the package.

3. How much does it cost to get each document notarized in Nigeria? And where are some places that do Notary? In America it can be done at banks, libraries, travel agencies, etc. Is it the same in Nigeria?

Thanks!

[dwheels76 5,468]

Here are my questions:

1. Is she going to be able to open a Word file in Nigeria? Like, if she goes to an internet cafe, are they going to have Microsoft Word on the computer and everything will open? Without being jumbled and all of that?

Internet Cafes have word and alot more trust me she will be okay to open and print right there

2. If I DO have to mail it to her, what is the best company to mail through in terms of money and time and NOT GETTING LOST? there will only be about 10 sheets of normal paper in the package.

UPS, FEDEX, DHL all about the same 10 pieces of paper you are looking at $80to $100 dollars. Takes a week to 10 days (Yes overnight priority mail they say ) it varies.

3. How much does it cost to get each document notarized in Nigeria? And where are some places that do Notary? In America it can be done at banks, libraries, travel agencies, etc. Is it the same in Nigeria?

Okay researching for you and found this on the US embassy website.

Notary Services

Notary services are available to all U.S. passport holders and to foreign nationals for documents destined to be used in the United States. The fee per document is US $50 or Nigerian Naira equivalent. The exchange rate at the Embassy and Consulate General is 165 naira to one dollar. Consent forms for Consular Services are free of charge.

Note: The only notary public in Nigeria that is recognized in the United States is a U.S. Consular Officer at the Embassy/Consulate.<br style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; ">

Thanks!

[Kazulie 132]

Are you freaking kidding me?!?!?!

I can get something in the States notarized for $1!!!!!! Or even free if I use my bank! Holy hell! So to watch someone sign a piece of paper and then sign their own name and use a stamp, it costs $50 each time!?!?! Unnnnnnnnnnnbelievable!!!

[dwheels76 5,468]

Are you freaking kidding me?!?!?!

I can get something in the States notarized for $1!!!!!! Or even free if I use my bank! Holy hell! So to watch someone sign a piece of paper and then sign their own name and use a stamp, it costs $50 each time!?!?! Unnnnnnnnnnnbelievable!!!

I would check with banks and lawyers there I know they have notaries all over like we do. I am sure they don't pay $50. It was just since your stuff are documents for the US that caught my eye. I figured you would scream at the crazy shilpping of a dang piece of paper. Someone needs t start a business on VJ and ship for a 1/3 of the price and get the dang thing there.

[Kazulie 132]

Okay, so now that I have found out that it costs US 50 FREAKING DOLLARS a pop to get something notarized in Nigeria, I'm on 2 plan b.

Our statements are as follows:

Two from mom stating that the boys and dad have a relationship

Two from mom stating residency between dad and they boys (dates and addresses)

One from Kid 1 stating his relationship with dad

One from Kid 2 stating his relationship with dad

Two "quit claim" letters from mom (1 for each kid)

I was going to make 2 copies of each and have ALL notarized but now there is noooooo way in hell I will at $50 a pop. Do you guys think it will be ok to just have the quit claims notarized? And can she just get these notarized the day of the interview (since she has to go to the embassy for notary) or should she do it ahead of time? Everything else would just be her signature. Is this ok?

Would it be ok for her to just sign the other documents and scan/email them to me and when I send them to NVC I can write a note that the originals will be provided on the day of the interview?

Ohhhhh this whole thing is such a headache!!!

Thanks in advance!

Edited July 5, 2012 by Kazulie

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Your step children are not pieces of property, you don't sign a quit claim deed for them. If she is relinquishing her rights as a parent that there is a form for that. The biological mother will have to sign an international travel permission form. A birth certificate is the proof of relationship, the embassy is used to Nigerians claiming all sorts of things as far a relationships to get non blood relatives included as children/siblings. Presenting too much evidence in order to avoid the DNA will almost certainly cause them to require the DNA.

If you are sending whatever as word, save down to a lower version to help ensure they don't have issues ( a mistake I make all the time between my computers as they are not all upgraded ) The lower the version the more you are apt to have no issues.

There is an equalivant to a notory but it requires appearing at a Nigerian court and not usually recognised by Lagos ( anything Nigerian is available for a fee) .

[Kazulie 132]

This is something I read on a consulate website:

"9.An original, certified and signed Quit Claim for all minor children (age under 18) giving their other parent’s permission for them to accompany the applicant to the U.S."

And various other members on this website that know their stuff VERY WELL call it a "quit claim" as well. So calm down please. I really take offense to you implying that I think of my step children as "property"

The items I am sending are items that people recently got RFEs for.

Edited July 5, 2012 by Kazulie

[Kazulie 132]

I would check with banks and lawyers there I know they have notaries all over like we do. I am sure they don't pay $50. It was just since your stuff are documents for the US that caught my eye. I figured you would scream at the crazy shilpping of a dang piece of paper. Someone needs t start a business on VJ and ship for a 1/3 of the price and get the dang thing there.

I expected the mailing price. That's why I was mellow on that. Hah

What you quoted above says that they will only accept a notary from the consulate, so no point in doing it if it's not there.

[dwheels76 5,468]

I expected the mailing price. That's why I was mellow on that. Hah

What you quoted above says that they will only accept a notary from the consulate, so no point in doing it if it's not there.

Kazulie I'm sorry. For the list of things you have the affidavits it looks like they don't have to have the embassy notary. Affidavits of sworn statements of relationships aren't required to be notarized yes some say nice plus but not required. Now all those documents for your children yep I won't mess with those.

[Kazulie 132]

Thanks for all your help, as usual, DWHEELS!!! How's your case coming? I'm guessing still waiting on a number from NVC?

[dwheels76 5,468]

Thanks for all your help, as usual, DWHEELS!!! How's your case coming? I'm guessing still waiting on a number from NVC?

Awwww you are welcome sweetie. Trying my best to get you the information you need. (I hate not knowing stuff). And Yep I am waiting at day 5 of NOA2. But I am calling NVC tomorrow. I called Monday and got the nicest lady who explained the whole arrival of case, case number stuff to me. God let me have that women, She was a blessing.but I know God will undue that logjam or just pluck me out. He has got me on a expedite course I am buckling up.

And I am thrilled you are getting your boys to be able to come over also. How exciting. Man Christmas, thanksgiving will be off the chain. And now though I see the legality if you will of your affidavits that take on a whole new meaning of seriousness because these are truly sworn statements they will have to be notarized. I would however i would email the embassy or call NVC maybe and ask them for sure. Cuz for children underage don't know about affidavits and notaries. And like you said others have gotten the dreaded RFE's we say No waa ooooo to that.

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

Hey All!!!

As some of you may already know, I am trying desperately to NOT have to do a DNA test for my stepsons to receive their visas.

I have written out statements that I need to send to the boys and their mom (quit claim, proof of residency, proof of relationship, etc.) so they can print it out and get it notarized. Ideally, I would like to email their mom with attached Word files that she could open, print and get notarized. If this is not an option then I would print everything out here, mail her the documents and then all she would have to do is get it notarized.

Here are my questions:

1. (and forgive me for my stupidity) Is she going to be able to open a Word file in Nigeria? Like, if she goes to an internet cafe, are they going to have Microsoft Word on the computer and everything will open? Without being jumbled and all of that?

Most upscale iCafes will have Microsoft Suite installed, not all.

2. If I DO have to mail it to her, what is the best company to mail through in terms of money and time and NOT GETTING LOST? there will only be about 10 sheets of normal paper in the package.

USPS. I have not had a postcard, letter or package not make it to Ibadan Nigeria. YMMV.

3. How much does it cost to get each document notarized in Nigeria? And where are some places that do Notary? In America it can be done at banks, libraries, travel agencies, etc. Is it the same in Nigeria?

Not sure about this. The issues is if the embassy will accept a court notarized document.

Thanks!

[Kazulie 132]

Thank you!

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

I checked USCIS and several embassy websites and none of them mention quit claim in regards to children . Here is what I find exactly

"In cases of divorce, the non-accompanying birth parent should prepare a notarized statement and certified translation that they do not oppose their childs permanent immigration to the United States." For a parent to give up rights , that also is not a quit claim but another affidavit referred to as a TPR.

A notorized statement is an affidavit not a quit claim. Furthermore posting on a website monitored by immgration that you don't want them to have to do DNA is not the safest approach to not having DNA done.

Edited July 5, 2012 by NigeriaorBust

[Kazulie 132]

Like I said, http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov/iv/required/documents.html #9. I refuse to argue this with you for even one more post. There is proof right there that it is on a consulate's website. That is not even the site I saw it on at first, but it was the first one that popped up when I did a search for "quit claim". Took me less than a minute to find it on google, I'm sure I could find many more sites if I chose to continue looking. The fact that you insinuate that I think of my step children as "property" disgusts me and I will not go on with this matter after this post.

And a QUIT CLAIM is NOT "relinquishing her rights as a parent" as you suggest above. It simply is permission to let her child under 18 immigrate to the US.

I have ZERO problems with a DNA test if that is the last resort. And that's basically what the rules say....it is used as a last resort! What I DO have a problem with is automatically giving a DNA test just because you are from a fraud country. If there is significant proof, it should be used.

My main goal is to shave 3 months off this process and to save $1500 if it's unnecessary.

Have you gone through the child petition process?