Can a certified notary, notarize a document in a foreign language?

Answer by  notorious (249)

Yes. Since notaries don't do it a lot, they don't know it, but, they can notarize documents in languages they don't understand. It's important to know that they aren't supporting the contents of the document. Their job as notary public is simply to confirm that the signature belongs to you.

Answer by  patti (29325)

The Notary Public would have to be able to read the part of the document that certifies him/her as a witness to your signature. If the NP cannot read even that part, it is unlikely that he will fix his seal to the document, even though the point is to verify your signature. Do check with the NP though.

Answer by  greysquirrel (239)

I've had to do this also. Certified notary public's can notarize documents in foreign languages that they don't understand. They are not notarizing what the document says. They are simply certifying that the signature on that document is the person standing before them.

Answer by  shalom (271)

Yes. I've had to do this personally and twice (two different notaries) said they couldn't notarize the document.. But I pushed back and they called their 800 number to confirm, and sure enough they could, in fact, notarize it.

Answer by  BoeZoe (136)

If a notary public cannot determine whether to administer an oath or a jurat, or even if you are and/or how you are a party to the document in question, then they may refuse to notarize for you whether you provide adequate identification or not. Many documents are un-notarizable.

Answer by  angiem1981 (1059)

No. The notary has to be able to know and/or understand the language to notarize the document. Furthermore, if this is any type of agreement to sale the other party must also go to the notary with you to get the document legally notarized. The best bet would be to have the document notarized in English.

Answer by  belle39 (966)

Currently it's not illegal for a notary public to refuse to notarize a document that's in a foreign language but he should be careful when doing this because other languages may translate as another type of official.

Answer by  Anonymous

if the acknowldegment is in a foreign language may be you are stating that you are actually a donkey with big ears and small brain