{"id":3798,"date":"2020-06-10T14:11:05","date_gmt":"2020-06-10T21:11:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/notarycouncil.org\/revamp\/?p=3798"},"modified":"2020-07-23T09:42:10","modified_gmt":"2020-07-23T16:42:10","slug":"can-a-notary-public-notarize-foreign-language-documents-in-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/notarycouncil.org\/revamp\/can-a-notary-public-notarize-foreign-language-documents-in-california\/","title":{"rendered":"Notarize Foreign Language Documents."},"content":{"rendered":"
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Can A Notary Public Notarize Foreign Language Documents in California?<\/h1>\n

The state of California consists of a diverse population of many ethnicities.\u00a0<\/span>But can a notary public in California notarize <\/span>foreign language documents<\/span>?\u00a0<\/span>As a general rule, California state laws allow a notary from notarizing <\/span>foreign language documents<\/span>. They can notarize documents even in cases where they are unable to read and write the foreign language of the documents presented.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recommended Practices<\/span><\/h2>\n

A notary public is responsible for witnessing and identifying the signature with the person signing the documents. Their function does not include validation of the content of these <\/span>foreign language documents<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are seeking notarization of <\/span>foreign language documents<\/span>, it is best to go to a notary who can read and understand your language. Use of a translator is not permitted. This is because there is a risk that the message may be lost in translation. Or that the third party may misrepresent the document to the notary.<\/span><\/p>\n

Further, you will have to sign this document using an alphabet or characters that the notary can understand. The purpose of this is to ascertain that the name on the document is the same as what the notary is being told.<\/span><\/p>\n

Considerations to Observe When Notarizing Foreign Language Documents<\/span><\/h2>\n

If a notary cannot refer you to another notary public familiar with the language, the notary can sign the document. Let\u2019s take a look at the considerations observed by the notary so that you can prepare accordingly;<\/span><\/p>\n