The U.S. Embassy has a significant backlog of notarial requests. We strongly encourage you to use the following options instead:
PLEASE NOTE: It is your responsibility to confirm that the recipient will accept your document if you use one of the below options.
(1) Legalize documents through the Danish system for use in the United States (apostille process). This is the fastest way to notarize your documents.
Step 1: Have your documents notarized in front of a Danish Notary Public. You can locate one near you using the Ministry of Justice website and make an appointment online: https://domstol.dk/selvbetjening/notarbooking/.
Step 2: Have the documents legalized for use in the United States by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) using an apostille (the official term for the legalization certification.)
You can find the MFA opening hours, fee information, directions, and additional information here: https://um.dk/en/travel-and-residence/legalisation-frontpage. No appointment is required.
Udenrigsministeriets Legalisering
Asiatisk Plads 2
1448 København K
Telephone: 33 92 12 33, Fax: 33 92 01 38
E-mail: legalisering@um.dk
Documents notarized in this way are acceptable for use in the United States as they comply with the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents.
(2) Online notaries: A growing number of states accept documents notarized online, making it a convenient and efficient option. If you need documentation notarized for use in the United States, we strongly suggest that you research whether the state in which your documents will be filed accepts documents notarized remotely.
(3) If you require a certified copy of a true original document to complete your social security application, you may do this process by mail without making an appointment. We strongly encourage you to use the mail-in process due to increased demand for notary appointments.
Access directions on how to acquire certified copies by mail for your social security application.
Note – If you need certified copies for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) application, you must book an in-person notary appointment and pay the required fee. Certified copies for ITIN applications are not eligible for the mail-in service.
Hours of operation
Notarial services are available by appointment only. The American Citizen Services Unit is closed to the public on American and Danish public holidays.
Please book an appointment here.
Procedure
You must come in person to the Embassy and:
- Bring valid government-issued photo ID. A passport is best.
- Bring your documents to be notarized. You cannot email your documents to us in advance, you must bring them in hard copy yourself. You must understand your documents as we are not allowed to explain the contents to you and/or provide legal advice.
- You must have filled-in the document with the appropriate names, places and dates. However, Do Not sign your document – you will sign at the American Citizen Services Unit in front of the notary.
- If your document requires witnesses in addition to the notary, you must supply these witnesses. Our staff cannot serve as witnesses.
- You must have all pages of a document with you. Ensure that documents are organized and clearly marked as to which parts require notarization, and which documents should be attached to each other.
You must pay the appropriate fee.
Fees
Notarials/Certified Copies: US$ 50.00/Dkr. 350,00 for each signature/seal
Authentications: US$ 50.00/Dkr. 350,00 for each signature/seal
The fees can be paid in cash (U.S. dollars or Danish kroner), or by credit card.
If you have any questions, please email CopenhagenACS@state.gov.
Types of Notarials
Power of Attorney
A power of attorney allows you to empower someone to act in your place. Blank Power of Attorney forms can be downloaded, or you may use one supplied to you by your attorney, bank or company. Please fill out the form before you come to our office, but DO NOT sign it in advance.
Affidavit
An affidavit is a sworn statement, made by you. Using a blank form, write out the statement you wish to make, but DO NOT sign it. We cannot advise you on the specific language needed in your Affidavit, please consult a lawyer or other legal advisor for that type of assistance before coming to us to notarize the document.
Sworn Statement
An administration of oath is used on documents that require a sworn affidavit.
Acknowledgement of Execution
An Acknowledgement of Execution is used for legal agreements, business documents, etc. It is also used when more than two signatures are required, but not all of the parties who must sign the document are present. We can only acknowledge [notarize] the signatures of those present to sign the document in front of us and verify that they have signed the document.
Signature Guarantees
Unfortunately, consular officers are not authorized to provide a signature guarantee/medallion guarantee service. A Medallion Signature Guarantee is not a notary service, but a special procedure related to securities, which can only be performed by an authorized representative of a financial institution participating in a medallion program approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission may be contacted at www.sec.gov.
Apostille
The Apostille is a validation stamp ensuring that a particular document is recognized in certain foreign countries (countries that signed The Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents).
Apostilles (certifications) will not require any further legalization by the American Embassy in order to be recognized in the United States or Denmark.
The Embassy is not authorized to provide apostilles or assist in obtaining them.
If you have a document which needs an apostille, you should contact the relevant authority in the State where your document was issued.
In Denmark Apostilles are provided by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Please visit their website for more information: https://um.dk/en/travel-and-residence/legalisation-frontpage
Udenrigsministeriets Legalisering
Asiatisk Plads 2
1448 København K
Telephone: 33 92 12 33, Fax: 33 92 01 38
E-mail: legalisering@um.dk
Please note that where both countries have signed The Hague Convention, the Apostille procedure has to be followed.
Notarizations at a Danish Notary
In Denmark, Notaries Public are deputy judges at the civil courts. The Ministry of Justice in Copenhagen may certify the signature of any appointed Notary Public. You may schedule an appointment online and obtain further information on Danish notarial services at: https://domstol.dk/selvbetjening/notarbooking/
Royal Danish Ministry of Justice
Slotsholmsgade 10, 1216 Copenhagen K.
Telephone: +45 7226 8400; Fax: +45 3393 3510
E-mail: jm@jm.dk.