I came to the United States in 2017. I remember how unfamiliar systems, a new language, and limited resources can turn a routine task into one more source of stress. Free Community Notary is my way of making the notarial part a little easier.
If you are an immigrant, refugee, or person seeking asylum, you can ask to use the program for any notarial service I offer. I won’t ask you to prove your immigration status or explain your case. Your request is accepted on the honor system.
Everything I provide is free
For a program appointment, I do not charge for:
- the notarial act;
- a standard mobile appointment in Manhattan;
- an electronic-notarization appointment through Notary Hub, including its identity-verification workflow; or
- a Certificate of Authenticity when I paper out an electronic act I performed.
If you ask for a paper record by mail or courier, you pay only the actual delivery cost approved in advance.
There is no fixed quota. I may divide a large request into more than one appointment or limit recurring requests when that is necessary to keep the program available to others.
Volunteer translators are welcome
The translator’s notarial act is also free when the translation is being provided free of charge for a program participant. I can notarize the translator’s signature or administer the requested oath. I do not certify the translation, judge its accuracy, or decide whether the receiving organization requires notarization.
Read the translator-affidavit guide.
What this program is—and is not
This is a notary service. It does not include legal or immigration advice, form preparation, translation, interpreting, representation, certified copies, or a promise that a document will be accepted.
The same rules apply to free and paid appointments. I still need acceptable identification, direct communication with the signer, a permitted document and appointment format, and clear instructions about the required notarial act. I may stop if identity, willingness, awareness, safety, or another legal requirement is not satisfied.
Privacy comes first
You do not need to send proof of status. For a Manhattan visit, choose the Free Community Notary option in Square; only the service address is required, and there is no $50 mobile fee. For an electronic-notarization appointment in Notary Hub, write Free Community Notary in the comment field. Never email immigration files, identification, medical records, or other sensitive documents.
Request Free Community Notary or email sergei@crawfordnotary.com with a general question and no attachments.
Free Community Notary is an independent Crawford Notary program. It is not affiliated with USCIS, the U.S. Department of State, New York State, or any court or immigration agency.