How to Notarize Immigration Documents Online (USCIS, Visa Petitions & Green Cards)

Immigration applications are among the most document-intensive legal processes in the United States. A single visa petition can require dozens of supporting documents — and many of them must be notarized.

Unlike other legal processes where notarization is optional, USCIS frequently requires notarized documents as evidence of the applicant's claims. The notary's seal verifies that the signer is who they say they are and that they swore to the truthfulness of the document.

This creates a practical challenge: immigration cases involve people in different cities, states, and countries. Getting everyone to an in-person notary is often impossible. That's where remote online notarization becomes essential.

• Affidavit of Support (Form I-864 / I-864A) — The petitioner and any joint sponsors must sign a notarized affidavit promising financial support. This is the most commonly notarized immigration document.
• Personal Declarations — Written statements from the beneficiary describing their qualifications, circumstances, or persecution history (for asylum cases). Often submitted as sworn declarations under penalty of perjury.
• Recommendation/Support Letters — EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, and O-1 visa petitions require multiple expert recommendation letters. While not always required to be notarized, notarization strengthens their evidentiary weight.
• Employment Verification Letters — Letters from current or former employers confirming employment dates, job titles, and responsibilities.
• Affidavits of Relationship — Third-party statements confirming a bona fide marriage or family relationship.
• Translations Certifications — Certified translations of foreign-language documents often require notarization of the translator's certification.
• Consent Letters — Travel consent for minors, medical consent, or passport consent from non-traveling parents.

One of the biggest advantages of RON for immigration cases is the ability to notarize documents when signers are in different countries.

Under RON laws, the notary must be commissioned in a US state that allows RON, but the signer can be located anywhere — including outside the United States. This is critical for immigration cases where:

• The beneficiary is abroad waiting for their visa
• Expert recommenders are at international universities
• Family members providing affidavits are in their home country
• The petitioner is in the US but sponsors are elsewhere

Requirements for international signers:

• A valid government-issued photo ID (passport works)
• A stable internet connection with video capability
• The ability to pass Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) — this uses US public records, so signers with a US credit/address history have an easier time. Those without may need alternative verification methods.

Yes. USCIS accepts documents notarized through remote online notarization (RON) platforms. There is no USCIS regulation or policy that distinguishes between in-person and remote notarization.

What matters to USCIS is that:

1. The notary is a commissioned notary public in a US state
2. The notarization was performed in compliance with that state's laws
3. The document includes a proper notarial certificate (acknowledgment or jurat)
4. The notary's seal and signature are present

RON-notarized documents meet all of these requirements. The tamper-evident digital format actually provides stronger verification than a paper document with a rubber stamp.

• Use jurats for sworn statements: Affidavits and declarations should use a jurat (sworn oath) rather than a simple acknowledgment
• Include the notary certificate on the document: Don't attach it as a separate page if possible — USCIS prefers the notarial certificate to be part of the document
• Notarize each signer separately: If multiple people need to sign (e.g., petitioner and joint sponsor), each person needs their own notarization session
• Keep the original digital file: USCIS may request additional copies. With online notarization, you always have the original digital document available for download
• Check if your attorney recommends notarization: Even when not strictly required, many immigration attorneys recommend notarizing all supporting documents to strengthen the petition