A Power of Attorney is an acknowledgment made by a grantor to a consular officer. The named individual appears before the consular officer and acknowledges that the signature on the document is his/her own signature.

A notarizing officer may not act as an attesting witness to the execution of an instrument in connection with any private party matter, such as powers of attorney, wills, or contracts. If a document needs witnessing, the person requesting the notarial service must provide the witness(es).

A written certificate attesting to the performance of a notarial act is attached to the notarized documents. Eyelet grommets are inserted in the upper left corner, perforating the document pages. This prevents anyone from separating the original document and the notarization. Should they be separated, the notarization will be invalid.

A consular officer may provide notarial services to non-English speaking applicants. However, the officer must be able to understand the document in question. Translations of a foreign language text should be provided by the applicant. If the consular officer is uncomfortable providing the service, s/he will decline and direct the person to a local notary or foreign consul who can communicate in the same language.

For the consular officer to notarize an affidavit of a translation, the translator must appear with photo identification.

Foreign Academic Credentials for Use in the United States:

1. U.S. consular officers generally are prohibited from authenticating or providing certified true copies of foreign academic credentials, transcripts, or degrees for use in the United States.
2. The U.S. Departments of State and Education determined in 1983 that there is no statutory requirement for U.S. consular officers to authenticate translations of foreign academic credentials. The U.S. Department of Education and the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers agree that authentication in no way alleviates the problem of fraud as the information contained in the document is not confirmed, only the seal and signature are authenticated.

U.S. Credentials for Use Abroad: Some foreign countries continue to require authentication of academic credentials. See Authentication of American Academic Credentials for Use Abroad on the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet page for guidance about how to obtain such records.

United States originated documents and/or certificates, such as divorce, death and birth certificates are often required for use in Sudan. The Sudanese government offices require that the documents be authenticated as genuine. Here in Sudan, the U.S. Embassy authenticates the signature and official positions of Sudanese officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sudanese documents.

Authentication is a certification of the genuineness of the signature and sealer and the position of a foreign official who has previously executed, issued, or certified a document. This allows a document executed or issued in one jurisdiction to be recognized in another jurisdiction. U.S. embassies and consulates maintain exemplars of the seals and signatures of host government officials only.

The Sudanese consulates and embassy in the United States authenticate the signatures of officials, such as the US notary public and the Department of State’s great seal, on U.S. documents issued within their jurisdiction of work.

To authenticate U.S. originated documents/certificates for use in Sudan:

The document is submitted to the Sudanese Consulate or Embassy in the U.S. for authentication. These consulates or embassies are required to keep on-file official signatures of individuals authorized to execute official documents in their consular districts in the United States. Upon returning the authenticated document to Sudan, it should be submitted to any of the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs authenticating offices.

The document is considered authenticated after the above is utilized.

U.S. citizens conducting routine business in Sudan are sometimes asked to present a “Letter of Introduction” or “No Objection Letter” from the Embassy.  These requests are common, for example, when a U.S. citizen applies for a visa to a third country, applies for job, or plans to marry.  Please note that the U.S. Embassy does not issue individual letters, and Embassy permission is not required for these purposes.

The Embassy has notified the Government of Sudan of this policy through an official diplomatic note. U.S. citizens may print this document (PDF  61 KB) and present it to the authority that has requested a letter.  The citizen may also print this page of the Embassy website.  This information may help the authorities to understand the Embassy’s policy against the issuance of such letters.

Alternatively, U.S. citizens have the option to sign an “Affidavit for Eligibility to Marry.”  Citizens can request a notarial appointment to sign a self-serving affidavit before a notary at the Embassy.  We have both common affidavits and blank templates available.  An affidavit – a formal legal document on Embassy letterhead with signature and seal – may prove helpful in a variety of settings.

To request an appointment, please email us at ACSKhartoum@state.gov.

The non-refundable notarial fee is $50.00 per seal/signature. You will pay the fee in person to the Cashier at the time you appear at the Embassy. Fee information is available here.