I get calls weekly from the public about notaries in California giving them a hard time with documents in a foreign language. Many California notaries are turning folks away (most of the time in error) because they are under the impression that they can’t notarize a document in a foreign language. The notaries feel that if they can’t read it, they shouldn’t notarize it. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Please read your handbook. You can find this information in the 2019 California Notary Handbook, page 20.
California notaries you can and must notarize any document presented in a foreign language provided you can communicate with the signer. What this means is that if the document is in Spanish (and providing all other conditions are met; such as personal appearance, have current picture government issued ID, etc. are presented) and you CAN communicate in either English and/or Spanish you must notarize their document. You don’t need to be able to read the document. Notaries notarize signatures on documents not the contents of the document. Period.
However, if you are presented with a document in a foreign language and they ONLY speak that language and you don’t speak their language you CANNOT notarize the document. You would then need to refer them to a notary that speaks their language.
Remember, don’t analyze, notarize.
You might also like:
How do I get a foreign language document notarized?
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=18788
Affidavit of support and direct communication with the signer
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=7084
Good evening … in the State of Florida.
My question is can we use a hand held voice interperter/translator to close a loan.
the customer can speak some english, but cannot understand all in english?
Comment by Rodney Foster — December 12, 2019 @ 2:21 am
the new box that came into effect, the notary only verifies the signer was the best thing that was added to us notaries.
Comment by lupe — December 12, 2019 @ 5:29 pm