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Original poster

Help! I have to have a document witnessed in the US Embassy! Are you going to be there Thursday?

30 replies

Greenfinch7 · 07/06/2022 06:47

I am desperate, so am asking here because I have seen amazing things happen here: teddies found, strangers' houses cleaned, life-threatening conditions diagnosed, hands of the bereaved and the depressed held through the night...

I have been on Mumsnet for many many years, but changed my name because this is identifiable. I need to have an important document witnessed on Thursday at 10am, and I don't know anyone I can ask to do this. It would involve getting someone from my village to travel to London, which would take half a day or more, just to sign a piece of paper.
I don't have any friends in London

Please, kind vipers, help me: have a brilliant idea, an incredible coincidence, or reassure me that a kind stranger in the embassy will do this easy but essential favour for me.

OP posts:
Matchingcollarandcuffs · 07/06/2022 06:55

Sorry I’m not but if you asked me on the street I would happily do it for you. Is the Embassy Hanover Square way still?

might be worth starting another thread asking if anyone will be near Oxford St Thursday and could help

Smidge001 · 07/06/2022 06:58

Surely a member of staff at the embassy will witness it for you? Or anyone else who happens to be in the building at the time - you don't have to arrive with your own pre-planned witness in tow?

Original poster
Greenfinch7 · 07/06/2022 07:02

Unfortunately the staff won't do it (says in an email) and you have to bring people. I was just going to ask strangers, but am panicking that people will refuse to do it...

OP posts:
WeAreTheHeroes · 07/06/2022 07:15

Matchingcollarandcuffs · 07/06/2022 06:55

Sorry I’m not but if you asked me on the street I would happily do it for you. Is the Embassy Hanover Square way still?

might be worth starting another thread asking if anyone will be near Oxford St Thursday and could help

It's not there anymore, the site is being turned into a hotel. The new embassy is in Nine Elms.

lljkk · 07/06/2022 07:15

Not making sense. Embassy are the witness, they notarise something you signed in front of them.

getting someone from my village to travel to London : why would the witness you're seeking have to go to your village first?

US Embassy only allows named individuals into the Embassy, too, not randoms solicited on street/MN. They check everyone's ID.

HotToddyColdSauvignon · 07/06/2022 07:24

US Embassy only allows named individuals into the Embassy, too, not randoms solicited on street/MN. They check everyone's ID.

^^ this I’m afraid OP, they’d need to be already named on the appointment also I think with you?
You could turn it into a day out for you and a friend from your local town?

pay for their travel up to London obvs, then the two of you go for a fancy lunch or sightseeing or whatever after?

Original poster
Greenfinch7 · 07/06/2022 07:25

lljkk Sorry I was unclear - trying to be brief because it's not a very interesting story (just worrying for me).

You have to give the names ahead of time of people you are bringing as witnesses into the embassy. My document requires 2 witnesses to sign in front of the notary. The only people I know in England live in my village- that's why I would ask them!

OP posts:
lljkk · 07/06/2022 07:39

I'm catching up, but aren't witnesses supposed to know you? So they can say "that was Jo Smith who signed that document, I know her, is why I signed" ?

Original poster
Greenfinch7 · 07/06/2022 07:45

IMPORTANT (to me) update-

I am so flustered I wrote the wrong time in the title. It should say 10 AM not 2:15. I have asked headquarters to change it, but don't know if they will.

OP posts:
Keepingthingsinteresting · 07/06/2022 07:45

lljkk · 07/06/2022 07:39

I'm catching up, but aren't witnesses supposed to know you? So they can say "that was Jo Smith who signed that document, I know her, is why I signed" ?

No, a witness doesn’t need to know you, just to sign to say they saw this person in front of me sign, if the embassy require verification the notary will do that. Sorry OP, I won’t be on london on Thursday.

MrsRobinsonsHandprints · 07/06/2022 18:49

Just bumping, someone must be in London.

WeAreTheHeroes · 07/06/2022 19:38

What exactly are the instructions OP? I deal with getting documents signed, certified, apply for apostille, etc a lot at work. I'm not sure why you would need to take witnesses with you? Do you have at least one form of photo ID?

HJ40 · 07/06/2022 20:01

Gosh, what's happened to helpful mumsnet? It's quite normal to need document signing witnesses. The witnesses aren't signing to say they know the OP or anything like that, simply that they've watched (witnessed) the OP sign the document.

Come on mumsnet, 10am Thursday in Nine Elms.

(I'm sorry, I'm nowhere near)

Apparentlystillchilled · 07/06/2022 20:03

Bump. I’m in Yorkshire or I’d help if I could.

jocktamsonsbairn · 07/06/2022 20:07

Bump I'm in Scotland or would have helped.

Auntpodder · 07/06/2022 20:16

Bumping - but also - when the US embassy was in Grosvenor Square but they wouldn't let you take phones or bags in with you, a local chemist did a roaring trade in lockable storage while you were in the embassy... could there be a similar business in Nine Elms that would be a witness? Possibly even a pub?/Cafe (This would depand how far ahead of time you need to give the names to the embassy)...

Auntpodder · 07/06/2022 20:19

If there's a law firm near the US embassy, even a small one, they might have had to provide a similar service beforehand (although they would charge for it).

Augend23 · 07/06/2022 20:20

I'm also not in London on Thursday but presumably someone must be.

Is there a telephone number you can call - this must be a regular problem people have - maybe the embassy would have some suggestions?

Am I right in thinking what you are hoping for is for one or two (?) mumsnetters/others to commit to coming to the embassy at 10am Thursday, and then for them to PM you their name (and address?) so you can provide it to the embassy in advance? Do you know how far in advance it needs to be?

Heart78 · 07/06/2022 20:27

oh, I was there a few weeks back!! If it can be any random person, I’m sure someone in there would help you out. People were very friendly and we spoke to a number of people whilst we were waiting!

Amichelle84 · 07/06/2022 20:37

Why don't you try and look for a nine elms community page on Facebook and ask there to target locals.

There's a lot of residential property there and also lots of small business you could contact and ask.

Dodoassociated · 07/06/2022 21:20

I can do it OP

Dodoassociated · 07/06/2022 21:22

I''ve sent a DM - just trying to make sure I have my passport somehwere for the ID bit.

ILoveAllRainbowsx · 07/06/2022 21:30

Hopefully someone on here will be abyto do it.

Just bumping for you

TheVanguardSix · 07/06/2022 21:35

So do you have to know these witnesses? Could you tell me what form it is so I can look it up on the embassy website?
I'm American. I live in West London. I'd be happy to help out... but if you could give me more details regarding the witness requirements, that'd be great.

Wheredoestheblackfluffcomefrom · 07/06/2022 21:39

You need to provide more info, what is being witnessed. Do the witnesses need to know you, what ID is req, how long will it take. Depending on answers it’s a maybe from me