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September 7, 2024

Why German-Speaking Clients Often Need a U.S. Notary, Even While Living in Europe

German-speaking clients are often surprised to learn that a German, Austrian, or Swiss notarization may not be accepted by U.S. banks, courts, or institutions. This is not a question of quality or professionalism, but of jurisdiction. Many U.S. documents are governed strictly by U.S. law and require notarization performed by a commissioned U.S. Notary Public.

Common examples include powers of attorney for U.S. real estate, affidavits for court proceedings, bank and brokerage forms, IRS documentation, and corporate resolutions. Even when a European notary is involved, U.S. institutions frequently reject these documents because the notarization was not performed under U.S. notarial law.

Transatlantic Notary Group addresses this gap by providing legally valid U.S. notarizations through Remote Online Notarization. German-speaking clients can complete the process from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, or anywhere else in the world, without travel, while ensuring their documents meet U.S. legal requirements.

Remote Online Notarization Explained for German-Speaking Clients

Remote Online Notarization (RON) allows a U.S. Notary Public to notarize documents electronically using a secure, state-approved platform. For German-speaking clients, this is often the most efficient and legally sound way to complete U.S. notarizations without traveling to the United States.

During a RON session, the signer’s identity is verified using a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. The notarization is conducted live via audio-visual communication and recorded in accordance with U.S. law. The document is signed electronically during the session and finalized with a U.S. notarial certificate.

At Transatlantic Notary Group, RON is paired with clear German- and English-language guidance. Clients are informed in advance about document requirements, name matching, and apostille considerations, reducing the risk of rejection by U.S. authorities.