All notary services in Embassy Kuwait are by appointment only. Due to the high volume and demand for services, we cannot offer expedited appointments except in cases of true emergencies. Please read the requirements and identify whether the notary service you are seeking may be provided prior to booking your appointment.
For general information about notarial and authentication services of U.S. Consular Officers abroad, visit the Department of State’s webpage.
Service Basics
Appointments must be made via the online appointment system; customers without an appointment will not be accommodated. Individuals needing notary services must appear in person at their scheduled appointment time, present proper photo identification (a valid passport or valid government-issued identification) and pay the appropriate fees. People not needed to sign documents during the notary service may not accompany the applicant to the ACS section and should not come to the Embassy. Fiancées of U.S. citizens completing the free-to-marry affidavits do not need to appear.
Prior to your appointment, you should review your documents to understand what is needed. Consular officers cannot provide legal advice and may not be familiar with your particular legal document. If you have questions or do not understand the document(s), please direct your questions to an attorney or the agency/individual which issued the document.
Do not sign the document until requested to do so by the notarizing officer. Depending on the nature of the document, the notarizing officer will either take an acknowledgement that your signature was done freely and with an understanding of the document’s contents, or administer an oath whereby you swear or affirm the contents of a document are true. (Note: Notarizing officers do not certify that the contents of submitted documents are true. A notarizing officer only certifies that you have signed and sworn or affirmed under oath that the contents are true.) Notarizing officers are prohibited from offering legal advice regarding the form or content of documents to be notarized. The embassy staff cannot complete the form or statement for you. You should clearly understand the document and the requirements set by your financial institution, government agency, or attorney. We reserve the right to ask you to return at a later date/time if you have multiple documents, if the document requires more than two seals, or is more than five pages in length.
Book an appointment by clicking here. As there are many people seeking appointments, we ask you to please cancel your appointment if you will be unable to come to the Embassy. You may cancel your appointment by clicking here.
On the day of your appointment, you must bring the appointment confirmation printout, the documents to be notarized, and two forms of photo identification, one of which should be a valid passport. The fee for each notary seal is $50 or the equivalent in Kuwait Dinars, payable by cash or credit card. The U.S. Embassy accepts U.S. dollars and Kuwaiti dinar. It does not accept K-net.
Special Notice Regarding the Use of U.S.-Issued Documents in Kuwait
The Government of Kuwait has established strict guidelines for the submission of foreign-issued vital records used in the residency process. The guidelines require embassies to verify the information contained in the documents. The U.S. Embassy does not have the legal authority to certify the informational content of such documents. In the United States, many of the records affected are not maintained centrally and can only be certified by the custodian of record. This includes the documentation of eligibility for marriage, birth certificates, marriage certificates, court records, and driver’s licenses. Authentication of U.S.-issued public documents for use overseas should therefore be undertaken in the United States. The documents are certified by the custodian of record and first authenticated at the state level. Following that process, they must be sent to the Department of State in Washington, D.C. and finally, authenticated by the Kuwait Embassy in Washington, D.C. Please visit the Department of State website for more information on the Authentication of Documents.
The U.S. Embassy will not provide services for U.S.-issued documents that have been certified and authenticated in the United States. This includes the authentication of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seal and signatures. The U.S. Embassy will not provide authentication services for U.S.-issued documents to be used in Kuwait.
Services Offered
Affidavits
An “affidavit” is a written declaration or statement of facts, made voluntarily and confirmed by the oath or affirmation of the party making it, taken before an officer having authority to administer such oath or affirmation. Affidavits require the personal presence of the individual signing the document in order for the consular officer to administer the oath. The affidavit should be typed and prepared prior to the appointment. Consular staff cannot prepare the document or provide advice as to what information should be included.
Free-to-Marry Affidavit
Any foreigner who wishes to marry in Kuwait is required by the Government of Kuwait to demonstrate his other eligibility to marry. The U.S. Government does not maintain a central marriage registry. Therefore, the embassy is unable to provide verification of a U.S. citizen’s eligibility to marry. U.S. citizens seeking to marry in Kuwait may choose to complete an affidavit declaring he or she is eligible to marry. However, the Government of Kuwait may not find the document acceptable and may refuse to accept the document. Please note the embassy cannot make changes to the document. U.S. citizens seeking to marry in Kuwait may need to contact the custodian of records or the respective state agency to identify vital records in the U.S. that may meet the criteria for the Government of Kuwait. U.S. citizens obtaining certified vital records from the custodian of such records will need to follow the process for the authentication of documents in the United States. Please visit the Department of State website for more information on the Authentication of Documents. For information regarding marriage in Kuwait, please see Marriage requirements in Kuwait.
Acknowledgements
Consular officers may take an acknowledgement of a signature on a document for use in the United States. An “acknowledgement” is to “acknowledge,” to admit, affirm, or declare; to recognize one’s acts, assuming obligation or incurring responsibility. Acknowledgements require the personal appearance by the person who signed the document in order to confirm that the individual signed the document.
Authentications
The primary purpose of an authentication, which is a governmental act by a U.S. consular officer, is to certify the official seal, signature and/or authority of foreign officials who perform an official act with regard to a document that is to be used in the United States. For Kuwait documents to be used in the United States, consular officers may only authenticate the stamp and seal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait on such documents. The documents should be taken to the Ministry’s Consular Department (Ph: +965 2484-2099) located in the Shuwaikh area of Kuwait City, adjacent to the Kuwait News Agency. Documents may be authenticated at the U.S. Embassy once they have received this seal. A consular authentication of a document to be used in the U.S. in no way attests to the authenticity of the contents of a document but merely to the seal and signature of the issuing Kuwait government official. Only authentication requests for originally signed documents from key Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials will be authenticated.
The U.S. Embassy will not provide authentication services for U.S.-issued documents to be used in Kuwait.
Driver’s Licenses
The U.S. Embassy does NOT issue Kuwaiti driver licenses. The process for Kuwait Driver’s license is the responsibility of the Government of Kuwait and is processed through Kuwait Traffic Department. The Government of Kuwait requires a certification of the status of the state issued driver’s license, which the U.S. Embassy does not have the legal authority to provide. While the American Citizens Services section can provide a certified true copy of U.S. issued driver’s licenses, we can make no assurances that the document will be accepted by the Government of Kuwait. The fees for the services are non-refundable. We cannot provide this service for non-U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.
In order to have a certified true copy of your driver’s license, you need to:
- Make an online appointment for notarial and other services by clicking this link.
- Bring your original U.S. driver’s license
- Bring a copy of your U.S. passport
- The fee is KD 16 or USD 50, payable at the Embassy in U.S. dollars, Kuwaiti dinar, or via credit card (no K-Net). Please click here for information from the Government of Kuwait on applying for a driver’s license and here for information from the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior.
- U.S. citizens wishing to obtain a Kuwait driver’s license may pursue the certification of their driving license/record through the appropriate custodian of record and authenticated in the U.S. by the appropriate state official, the Department of State, and the Embassy of Kuwait. We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the General Traffic Department to obtain the most up-to-date information regarding the process. We also recommend speaking with your HR department and employer for assistance on obtaining driver’s license.
Services That Cannot Be Provided
Consular staff cannot draft legal documents or provide legal advice. U.S. citizens seeking legal documents, such as a power of attorney, should consult with an attorney or review online resources before their appointment.
Authentications of Documents Issued in the United States
Consular officers are not empowered to certify or authenticate public documents issued in the United States or abroad. Consular officers do not have access to the records of the issuing office or the seal of the custodian of records. When a certification or authentication of a true copy is requested, please contact the embassy or consulate of the country where the document was issued. Please see this link for a step-by-step process on getting documents authenticated for use in Kuwait.
Authentication of U.S and Foreign Academic Credentials for Use Abroad
U.S. embassies and consulates cannot authenticate diplomas or other documents from universities and other schools in the United States nor provide notary services related to foreign academic degrees. U.S. academic credentials, certificates, or degrees for use in Kuwait must be authenticated by the Department of State and then by the Embassy of Kuwait in Washington, D.C.
Fingerprints/Police Clearances
Fingerprint services are not available at the U.S. Embassy. For more information regarding fingerprinting and police clearances, please visit our Local Resources for U.S. Citizens page.
Certifications of True Copies
Some states provide that notaries may execute certifications of true copies of documents. However, many public documents, such as a birth, death, marriage or divorce records, and police clearances must be certified by the custodian of record in that state. Individuals seeking such a service may choose to make a sworn statement declaring that a copy is an exact reproduction of an original document he or she possesses. However, this document does not meet the requirements set by the Government of Kuwait for the acceptance of vital records. The best source of information about the requirements of the individual U.S. states and other U.S. jurisdictions regarding certification of true copies of documents by notaries public is the state notary public administrator.
Marriages
U.S. embassies cannot perform marriage ceremonies.
Translations
U.S. Consular Officers are NOT permitted to translate documents, certify to the correctness of translations, or authenticate translators’ signatures. A list of translators is available here.
Refusal of Notary Services
Notarial services may be refused under the following conditions: it is prohibited by treaty or foreign law; it is prohibited by U.S. law; the notarizing officer believes the document will be used for a purpose patently unlawful, improper or inimical to the best interests of the United States; the document is blank; the individual does not appear to be capable of understanding the nature or language of the instrument; the individual is unable to comprehend the significance of the act and/or is acting under duress; the document is incorrect; the individual has invalid, inadequate or insufficient proof of identification; the proof of a corporate title or position is lacking or inadequate; and/or the service is a medallion signature guarantee. (Only financial institutions can provide a signature guarantee/medallion guarantee service.)
Remote Notarial Services
For information concerning remote notarial and authentication services, we direct you to the following recently updated Department of State webpage. Please note that remote notarial services may only be provided in accordance with the laws and regulations of the U.S. state that commissioned the notary public and the laws of the state or country where the document is notarized.
Information Notes
No objection letter for transferring a Kuwaiti residency to/from a U.S. passport
Please note that the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait will no longer issue “no objection” certificates or letters relating to adding Kuwaiti residency to or removing it from a U.S. passport. U.S. citizens should print the Information Note and proceed to the Immigration and Passport Directorate along with their passports and any required supporting documents to apply for transferring a residency to/from a U.S. passport.
No objection letter for employment
The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait does not issue no objections letters (NOL) in support of any employment applications for public or private sector positions in Kuwait. Please refer to this Information Note.
Confirmation of U.S. passport biodata
The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait does not provide letters or certificates confirming citizenship status or passport biodata; a U.S. passport is prima facie evidence of a U.S. citizen’s citizenship and identity. U.S. citizens are requested to present this Information Note with their U.S. passport, alongside any supporting documentation, to governmental bodies upon request.
Notarization of IRS Form W-9
The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait will not notarize IRS Form W-9, as the form itself does not require notarization. Upon such request, please submit this Information Note with your supporting documentation.
Opening a Bank Account in Kuwait
The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait does not issue letters for the purpose of opening bank accounts. Please present this Information Note along with your other supporting documents to the requesting authorities.
Modifying Names on Kuwaiti Birth Certificates
The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait does not issue approval or “no objection” letters to any modifications on Government of Kuwait-issued birth certificates. Please present this Information Note to the requesting authorities.
Visa Residency Sponsorship
The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait will no longer issue “no objection” certificates or letters relating to Kuwaiti visa/residency. Please present this Information Note to the requesting authorities.
