Posted by CH2inCA on 8/28/09 11:30am
Msg #302103

Futbol or Football

Query for all bilingual notaries… how do you introduce yourself?

Since it's not legal to call ourselves "Notario Publico"? I know the reason for the rule. BUT we're in the US I really don't care what 'Notarios' do in another country, it's what I know I am allowed to do here that should matter. I guess I'm saying that it seems funny to have a rule because of what people do in another country....

I’m seriously considering deleting my ‘bilingual’ services from all marketing. Even though it IS a whole market all to itself.

I’m thinking it leads both the TC/LO/SS and the borrower into thinking that I’m going to ‘translate’ which clearly I cannot do. Not to mention that legal verbiage and conversational English are two different things!!

Really, isn't it sometimes difficult enough to explain some English documents to English only speaking people? (teasin)

Curious to know how much does the ‘bilingual’ aspect play in your businesses?

Your thoughts? Anyone?

Reply by PAW on 8/28/09 12:30pm
Msg #302116

Let's reverse the situation. Say you are in Mexico and need a mortgage document notarized. Would you seek out a "Notary Public"? No, you would seek a Notario Publico. What if you were in England? Or Spain? A notary public is NOT the same from state to state, much less country to country. Since Spanish speaking Americans number in the millions (I think Spanish is the second most common language spoken in the US) and they need something notarized, they would, in their native tongue, seek a notario publico. Unfortunately, a US Notary Public is not the same thing as a Notario Publico. Therefore, most states, especially border states or states with a big Hispanic influence, do not allow a Notary Public to advertise they are a Notario Publico, simply because they are not, even though "Notary Public" (the words) translate to "Notario Publico."

Reply by CH2inCA on 8/28/09 12:54pm
Msg #302132

True. I understand that.

Following that logic. Notaries in CA are not allowed to do somethings as Notaries in LA. Should they not be allowed to call themselves Notary Public?

When titled in English it is understood that the individual Notary knows and will explain the limits of their post to their clients. BUT if you say it in Spanish you can't explain the difference?

So, if there is a limited English person seeking a Notary Public; what shall they say they're seeking? What is the Spanish title?

Reply by PAW on 8/28/09 1:11pm
Msg #302143

If they want a Notario Publico, (and I've been asked), I refer them to an attorney if they are seeking legal advice, documents or assistance. If they need their signatures 'notarized', then I, as a Notary Public, can do that.

Not only is the "Notary Public" == "Notario Publico" a problem, but a US "Notary Public" is not the same as a UK "Notary Public". Just go to http://www.paulwilliamson.com/ and you will certainly see many discrepancies between the UK Paul Williamson and this US Paul Williamson.

Reply by CH2inCA on 8/28/09 2:07pm
Msg #302158

RIGHT!

So, then Paul is there an issue regarding what your title is here or in London?

Because the UK "Notary Public" is different from the US "Notary Public", should there be a rule that you can not advertise yourself as a 'Notary Public"? (here)

:0)

futbol or football?

Any suggestions on what I should call myself in spanish? (hey! don't go there.)

Reply by PAW on 8/28/09 2:36pm
Msg #302164

No problem. I'm in the US and am a US Notary Public. I only advertise to those in the US. My title and office is "Notary Public" and it has a defined meaning here in the US (more specifically within FL). The predominant language in the US is English. Therefore the correct term to use within the US is "Notary Public". I suggest, that in Spanish, you still refer to your self with the proper title, "Notary Public", not the translated version of the words. The translated version of the words is not your title or office.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/31/09 10:08pm
Msg #302428

I agree with Paul.

No need to translate it at all. To take Paul's analogy one step further, if someone from Mexico, for example, needed a legal document drafted, in their home country, they might seek out a Notario Publico to have it taken care of for them. Even though they are now in this country, they might not know the differences between here and there. Let's face it, how many native born Americans truly know what a notary public does? So it leaves them vulnerable to fraud - but you probably knew that.

Personally, I've always just used a little "Spanglish" in those cases, and continue to use the word "Notary", as Paul suggested. It's never been a problem. I do advertise that "hablo Español" in some places, but I've never seen the need to translate my title. It's just never been a problem. It's close enough that people make the connection. You still, however, might have to explain the differences, that you are not an attorney, etc... but this is not worth getting hung up on. You may be just over-thinking this.