Do recommendation letters need to be notarized?

In general, recommendation letters for an O-1 petition do not need to be notarized. The focus of the review is not on the notary seal, but on the content and credibility of the person signing the letter.

What makes a letter strong is the quality of the information it provides. Elements that tend to carry the most weight include:

• A clear and detailed description of your experience and contributions.
• Signatures from experts who genuinely know your work.
• Official letterhead and details that confirm the recommender’s position and authority.
• Concrete references to the impact and recognition of your work.

Some applicants choose to notarize letters as an added layer of authenticity, but this is typically a choice, not a requirement. Since guidelines can vary depending on the case, always follow the official instructions for your petition.

If you have questions about the required format, it is worth checking the updated guidelines from USCIS or consulting a specialist before assembling your letter package.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.