Your Cookies are Disabled! NationalNotary.org sets cookies on your computer to help improve performance and provide a more engaging user experience. By using this site, you accept the terms of our cookie policy. Learn more.

Menu
National Notary Association

Knowledge Center

DC B25-0792

Legislation

State: Washington DC
Signed: December 12, 2024

Effective: March 07, 2025
Chapter: Law No. 25-0281

Summary

The District of Columbia no longer requires a Notary to read and understand the language of the document they are notarizing provided the Notary can read and understand the language in which the notarial certificate is written. 

Affects

Amends Sections 1-1231.03, 1-1231.07, 1-1231.20 and 1-1231.21, and repeals Section 1-1231.19 of the District of Columbia Code

Changes
  1. Prohibits a notarial officer from performing a notarial act if the officer does not read or understand the language in which the certificate of notarial act is written.
  2. Authorizes a notarial officer to refuse to perform a notarial act if the officer does not read or understand the language of the document being notarized.
  3. Authorizes a notarial officer to require a signer to provide a certified translation of the document being notarized.
  4. Repeals the requirement for a Notary Public commission applicant to indicate on a form provided by the Mayor the language(s) of records in which the applicant intends to perform notarial acts.
  5. Requires a Notary to complete a training course approved, rather than provided, by the Mayor prior to performing the Notary’s initial act with respect to an electronic record.
  6. Repeals the requirement that the Mayor must establish a course of study for Electronic Notary endorsement applicants.
Analysis

The District of Columbia is one of the most linguistically and ethnically diverse jurisdictions in the United States. B25-0792 (Law No. 25-0281) increases access to notarial services for individuals who present documentsthat may not be in a language the Notary understands.  

A Notary’s primary responsibility is to verify the identity of document signers and witnesses. It is unnecessary for the Notary to read or understand the language in which the document to be notarized is written as long as the Notary understands the language of the notarial certificate.  

Nevertheless, some Notaries may be wary of notarizing foreign language documents, and therefore B25-0792 permits a Notary to refuse to perform a notarial act if the Notary does not read or understand the language of the document being notarized.  

Close