Notarize Foreign Language Documents About Notaries What is a Notary Public? Why Become a Notary? Being a Public Official What is Notarization? Notary History Notaries and Notarios How to Become a Notary How to Renew Your Notary Commission Stamp/Seal Information Notary Forms Tips and Tutorials Building Your Notary Business Notary Fees By State Signing Agent Resources What is a Notary Signing Agent? State Restrictions Signing Agent Policies Signing Agent FAQs How to Become an NSA Notary Signing Agent Training Background Screenings Notary Signing Agent Supplies Building Your NSA Business Notary Signing Agent How-Tos Non-Payment Issues Common Collection Terms Managing Your Collection Efforts Sample Collection Letters Signing Agent Loan Documents What is RON? Remote, Electronic & Traditional Notarization State of RON Temporary RON States 3 RON Benefits for Notaries Become a Remote Notary Standards for RIN RON Technology How to Perform RON Building Your RON Business Remote Online Notary How-Tos States Emergency Actions RON FAQs During COVID News & Information New Notary Laws Notary Law Tracking State Notary Laws U.S. Notary Reference Model Notary Act Model Electronic Notarization Act Notary Public Code of Professional Responsibility Articles & Reports Position Papers Certificate Forms (members only) Glossary of Terms Notary Links Webinars Commonly Asked Questions How to Administer Oaths and Affirmations Strange, Unusual and Bizarre Requests ID Fraud — A Notary Trap The Names in The Document and Identification Don't Match The Importance of Personal Appearance Understanding Notary Certificates and Seals: Vital Notary Know-How Signature by Mark Sorry Boss... No Can Do! How to Complete a Journal Entry How to Use Credible Witnesses Acknowledgments and Jurats - What's the Difference? How to ID in a Multi-Cultural World Signing Agent Branding Your Signing Agent Business 10 Steps to a Flawless Loan Signing Answers to Questions Notary Signing Agents are Asking Today Being a Team Player in the Loan Closing Process New Law Update California New-Law Update Oregon New-Law Update Arkansas New-Law Update In our global society, Notaries increasingly are asked to notarize documents written in foreign languages they cannot read. Generally, state laws do not expressly prohibit the Notary from notarizing a document that is not in the English language. However, depending on the circumstances, it may be inadvisable to notarize such foreign-language documents. The danger, of course, is that the document is being misrepresented to the Notary. For any non-English document, the best option is to refer the signer to a Notary who reads and writes the language of the document. If that is not possible, the Notary should only proceed if the notarial certificate itself is in English or other language the Notary reads and writes. The letters and characters in the document's signature and in any ID document presented must also be understood by the Notary. It is important that the signer and the Notary be able to communicate in the same language, without the reliance on a third party who, intentionally or unintentionally, may interpret the conversation incorrectly. If you have more questions we can help! Simply: Check out the Notary Bulletin for more tips and training Call the NNA Hotline toll free at 1-888-876-0827 (NNA Membership or Hotline subscription required) Register for an NNA training program