Foreign language challenges for notaries can present themselves when speaking with the signer or dealing with foreign language documents.
If the notary speaks multiple languages, there’s no requirement that a notarization be conducted in English. However, in every state except Arizona, notaries are prohibited from using a third-party interpreter to communicate with signers during notarizations. Unless you’re an Arizona notary, if the signer can’t speak with you directly in a language you understand, the best course is to refer the signer to a notary who is fluent in the signer’s language.
In regards to foreign language documents, as a general rule in most states you may notarize a document written in a language you aren’t fluent in, but the notarial certificate must be in a language you can read.
Read more Foreign Language Tips from the National Notary Association
