I-751

[weescotlassie 2]

Hi everyone, I will soon be filing the I-751, what I want to know is, do the sworn affidavits need to be notarized?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

No, they do not.

[weescotlassie 2]

No, they do not.

Thank you for letting me know this. As there seems to be conflicting information on this subject, some say yes they do & some say they don't, so it's getting a little confusing at times. ;0)

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

The people who say yes are wrong No where in the affidavit instructions does it say a notary is a requirement. There are instructions as to what does need to be included, name, address, phone, etc.

[DebbyNSeyi 15]

Hi everyone, I will soon be filing the I-751, what I want to know is, do the sworn affidavits need to be notarized?

There are conflicting schools of thought on this subject. While nowhere in the I-751 instructions does it say that they need to be notarized, it DOES say (on Page 2 under the section "Evidence of the Relationship", point #5) that they will accept "Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by at least two people who have known both of you since your conditional residence was granted and have personal knowledge of your marriage and relationship". I interpret that as having an official affidavit and the closest way to get that is to have the document notarized. For our I-751, I am having all 3 of my affidavit contributors notarize the documents - just to be safe.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

There are conflicting schools of thought on this subject. While nowhere in the I-751 instructions does it say that they need to be notarized, it DOES say (on Page 2 under the section "Evidence of the Relationship", point #5) that they will accept "Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by at least two people who have known both of you since your conditional residence was granted and have personal knowledge of your marriage and relationship". I interpret that as having an official affidavit and the closest way to get that is to have the document notarized. For our I-751, I am having all 3 of my affidavit contributors notarize the documents - just to be safe.

A notary doesn't verify that the affidavit is truthful, he verifies that he watched them sign the paper.

The person who writes it adds a statement that they swear or affirm that their statement is truthful. That's all. No need to have someone swear he saw them write their signature.

Affidavits are not even required. They are a last resort when you've got little else.

Edited November 20, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[DebbyNSeyi 15]

A notary doesn't verify that the affidavit is truthful, he verifies that he watched them sign the paper.

The person who writes it adds a statement that they swear or affirm that their statement is truthful. That's all. No need to have someone swear he saw them write their signature.

Affidavits are not even required. They are a last resort when you've got little else.

I beg to differ. The purpose of getting something notarized is usually to make sure that the person signing a document is the person they say they are. The seal is issued by the state to a specific notary after a background check, so the notary is also identified on the document ... if there's any problem with the document, the notary's records can be checked. That is why the statement on a notarized document usually states after or before the signature:

Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on this ____________day of

__________, 2012, by______________________________, proved to me on the basis

of satisfactory evidence to be the person who appeared before me.

IMO, it makes it more official. ANYONE can create a letter and sign it themselves. In cases of immigration, I strongly advise getting a document notarized.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I beg to differ. The purpose of getting something notarized is usually to make sure that the person signing a document is the person they say they are. The seal is issued by the state to a specific notary after a background check, so the notary is also identified on the document ... if there's any problem with the document, the notary's records can be checked. That is why the statement on a notarized document usually states after or before the signature:

Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on this ____________day of

__________, 2012, by______________________________, proved to me on the basis

of satisfactory evidence to be the person who appeared before me.

IMO, it makes it more official. ANYONE can create a letter and sign it themselves. In cases of immigration, I strongly advise getting a document notarized.

My only point was, the notary doesn't make it a truthful statement. He verifies he saw an ID and witnessed a signature, He does not verify the truthfulness of the letter, or a tax return, or a passport, or any such document. He only verifies that it's not a forged signature because he saw it with his own eyes.

We have completed all things immigration without any hitches and without notarization, so it isn't required. But those that want to notarized can do so if they think it's a good idea. The only thing I can think of that might be notarized is if a parent wants to take a child out of the UK, London wants some verification from the other parent that they will allow their child to move away from the UK. Most people get a solicitor to verify the signature is the parent's signature.

Edited November 20, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[DebbyNSeyi 15]

My only point was, the notary doesn't make it a truthful statement. He verifies he saw an ID and witnessed a signature, He does not verify the truthfulness of the letter, or a tax return, or a passport, or any such document. He only verifies that it's not a forged signature because he saw it with his own eyes.

We have completed all things immigration without any hitches and without notarization, so it isn't required. But those that want to notarized can do so if they think it's a good idea. The only thing I can think of that might be notarized is if a parent wants to take a child out of the UK, London wants some verification from the other parent that they will allow their child to move away from the UK. Most people get a solicitor to verify the signature is the parent's signature.

That was my only point. Verifying the signature. When I get a document notarized, I am asked for ID. I know that notarization of affidavits are not required and I'm sure there are many that received their approvals without them; However, I believe that an affidavit that is notarized certainly carries more weight than one which is not. Especially if you don't have additional robust documentation to provide with the petition.