Posted by Cari on 2/16/10 2:00pm
Msg #323011

Certificate of Origin...anyone here notarize these before?

I do know that for goods being exported to Mexico & Canada, these forms do not need to be notarized (NAFTA), but was curious if anyone else on this forum has notarized these for other foreign countries, which ones, and what was your experience, backlash, problems, etc.?

I did a search and found nothing on this topic..probably because these are rare but TIA

Reply by Charles_Ca on 2/16/10 4:46pm
Msg #323049

the only thing of that kind that I notarize are sight drafts and bills of lading. Haven't been asked to notarize Certs of Origin. I have notarized Mill Certs in the past but with California's manufacturing base rapidly disappearing the need for those types of notarizations is disappearing also: too bad because those paid great travel fees and there was no price resistance: they just needed them when they needed them.

Reply by PAW on 2/17/10 8:03am
Msg #323101

Some destinations require a Certificate of Origin (CO) for certain commodities. The purpose of the CO is to authenticate the country of origin of the merchandise being shipped. Since the CO (and Commercial Invoice, if necessary) need to be authenticated and legalized, the documents typically are signed by a manufacturer representative, under oath, and require notarization. Then the Secretary of State (or department authorized to issue apostilles) for the originating state can attach an apostille (for HCCH members) or a certificate of authority (for non-members). Commodities and documents destined for non-HCCH members then need to be authenticated by the US Department of State and usually legalized by the Consular section of the destination country's embassy. Different countries have different requirements and procedures for handling commercial transactions. Some require the formal process, while others accept informal CO's. Canada and Mexico have unique requirements under NAFTA that avoids much of the CO/CI legalization hassle.

Reply by Notarysigner on 2/17/10 9:39am
Msg #323106

very interesting info PAW, thanks.

I use to work for a company back in my early years (stock boy) who would buy paper from an U S Company and have me stamp "made in India" or "made in China" on it.What a joke.

Reply by Syk_CA on 8/30/10 10:38pm
Msg #351012

PAW, would you say that for the most part, a regular notary wouldn't be involved in the notarization of the CO unless they are an on site notary working with the manufacturer? The reason I ask is, I have been approached by a person who is getting into import/export and was asking me if I would be able to handle notarizing COs, but my research to view a generic form and instructions for it seem to indicate that the exporter would go to a "local Chamber of Commerce" to do part of the authentication. Does the Chamber of Commerce also have notaries, so the exporter can authenticate and notarize (if needed) all in one shot? Just wondering if there might be problems of agreeing to notarize when I don't understand the CO process in detail myself.