Notarizing for a person who is signing a document written in a foreign language

These are the standards in which the Notaries must follow, that had been set in place by The Governor’s Notary Section.

The Notary must,

■ Make sure that the Notary can communicate verbally with the document signer or that a qualified, trustworthy translator is present.

■ Determine, if possible, that the document is complete.

■ Check the document for a notarial certificate. If the document does not have a notarial certificate, ask the document signer for instructions. If he directs you which notarial act is appropriate for his document, proceed by adding the correct certificate and completing the notarization. If he does not know, refuse to notarize.

■ Complete the notarial certificate in English. The certificate may be translated into the language of the document, but the translated certificate should not be signed and sealed by the notary.

■ If you are unsure about the notarization, you should refuse to notarize.