Affidavit for Algeria

Using a U.S. Affidavit in Algeria: What You Need to Know

Algerian notaries, courts, civil registry offices, banks and consulates often ask people living in the United States for a sworn written statement. It might confirm their marital status, their residence, the facts of an inheritance, or that two differently spelled names belong to the same person. In the U.S., that statement is an affidavit: you swear to its contents before a notary public, and the notary completes a jurat. To be used in Algeria, the affidavit then needs to be certified for international use.

The 2026 change: apostille instead of the Algerian Embassy

Before July 2026, a U.S. affidavit for Algeria had to pass through the Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State and the Embassy of Algeria in Washington. Algeria joined the Hague Apostille Convention, and it took effect for Algeria on July 9, 2026. Since then, a notarized U.S. affidavit needs only an apostille from the Secretary of State of the notary’s state. There are no more embassy appointments, embassy fees or federal authentication for affidavits used in Algeria.

Affidavits Algerian offices commonly request

Single status or celibacy. Algerian nationals in the U.S. who plan to marry in Algeria, or to register a marriage there, are often asked to prove they aren’t already married. Where no U.S. certificate exists for this, a sworn affidavit of single status is the usual answer, sometimes supported by a state “no record of marriage” search.

Identity or “one and the same person.” Arabic names are spelled in many ways in Latin letters, and U.S. records often put names in a different order. An affidavit confirming that the names on your U.S. and Algerian documents refer to the same person avoids rejections at banks, notaries and civil registry offices.

Heirship and family facts. In inheritance matters, an Algerian notary may accept a sworn statement about family relationships or the heirs living abroad, usually together with civil records and a power of attorney for Algeria.

Residence, income and support. These are used for visas, family sponsorship, and administrative files that need proof of where you live or how you support a family member.

Company affidavits. A U.S. company may need sworn statements by an officer, for example on ownership, beneficial owners or authorized signatories, for registration with Algeria’s commercial registry (CNRC), for a bank, or for a tender.

Signing correctly

An affidavit must be signed in front of the notary, not in advance, and the notary must complete a jurat (an oath), not just an acknowledgment. Use your full legal name exactly as it appears on your passport. For Algerian nationals, give your Algerian ID details if the receiving office expects them. Write only facts you can swear to, and state where the affidavit will be used. Several foreign authorities question remotely notarized documents, so we recommend signing in person.

Arabic, French and translation

Arabic is Algeria’s official language, and French is widely used in administration. Most offices will want an official translation of an English affidavit, made by a sworn translator in Algeria after the apostille. A bilingual affidavit can save time, but only if both versions say exactly the same thing.

Timing

Once signed, the affidavit goes to the Secretary of State for the apostille. In some states it goes to the county clerk first. Processing times vary from state to state, so tell us your deadline and we’ll suggest the fastest option for your state.