Posted by notary365MI on 5/20/11 1:10pm
Msg #383850

Letter of Authorization

I have a client who needs to give her mother permission to sell her motorcyle. The client lives in Michigan, the mother in Brazil. So, on my end the form will be in English, but then what? The client mentioned needing the form translated into Portugese but I cannot notarize her signature in another language as I only speak, read, write English. I suggested she look for a notary whose second language is Portugese and she says she can't find one after a week of searching. I searched the Michigan SOS website and no idea was offered. I called and was on hold 22minutes before I was disconnected on their end. Please advise if possible.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 5/20/11 1:16pm
Msg #383852

Re: Letter of Authorization...try this?

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/02-17_86_Translation_Services_Directory_June07_1_203984_7.pdf

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Translators_Resource_List_95124_7.pdf

http://www.languagemarketplace.com/USA22-michigan-translation-services.html

Good Luck!!

Reply by notary365MI on 5/20/11 1:17pm
Msg #383854

Re: Letter of Authorization...try this?

thank you... i will link this to her immediately.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 5/20/11 1:19pm
Msg #383856

Here's another one..

http://www.guru.com/find-freelancers/Portuguese-Translation-Services/1V6150-VCXF2V/Michigan/Kalamazoo

Reply by C. Rivera Chicago Notary Services on 5/20/11 1:31pm
Msg #383857

each state is different, but here, the doc doesn't have to

be in English for the NP to notarize the signature on any document, so long as the signer understands what they are signing.

Reply by C. Rivera Chicago Notary Services on 5/20/11 1:33pm
Msg #383858

mean to add, does MI require the doc to be in the language

of the NP or the signer??

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 5/20/11 1:38pm
Msg #383860

Something else to consider...

BTW, you can do it - you're not legally prohibited from notarizing a foreign language document but your manual advises you to be very careful - further, if you're not comfortable, refer the requesting party out.

The other thing - you, or whatever notary is used, MAY need your signature authenticated by the SOS since it's going out of the country. Check with your SOS...

Reply by Mia on 5/20/11 1:51pm
Msg #383863

Here is something to look at.....

From the MI Dept. of State:
"Foreign Language Document(s)
Notaries are not prohibited legally from notarizing a document written in a foreign language. However, there are numerous potential problems, including the fact that the term notary public, when translated into other languages, can refer to a markedly different office, with far greater authority than in the United States. A notary public should not proceed to notarize any document with which they are not comfortable doing so. The notary may recommend using a notary public familiar with the language in which the document is written."

http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1638_8736-85780--,00.html

This might need an Apostille.......
Which Countries are not part of the Hague Convention? Make sure you know.

If you don't know how to handle this type of request, send them to a County Clerk's Office.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 5/20/11 1:56pm
Msg #383865

Brazil is not listed..that's why I said the notary's

signature may need authentication as opposed to an Apostille...whatever they do in MI...

Reply by LKT/CA on 5/20/11 2:40pm
Msg #383875

www.NewWorldLanguages.com n/m

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 5/20/11 6:54pm
Msg #383899

"I cannot notarize her signature in another language as I only speak, read, write English."

One's signature in Portuguese will be the same no matter what... since Portuguese uses the same written characters as English. I speak Portuguese, so I know this. At least, it will unless the person you're notarizing for changed their name for some reason. A guy named Joćo, for example, might just go by John in English speaking countries. The only way this would be a problem would be if the person signing used the Portuguese form of their name in their signature, but their ID is an English-friendly version.

The person may need to get YOUR signature authenticated... but that's not really your problem. They should know how to get this done or hire a company that does this. Since Brazil won't take your SOS's apostille, the document would likely have to be sent to your SOS for authentication. And THEN sent to Washington DC to authenticate the signature of SOS.

Brazil can be a pain to deal with... I lived there for a year and I had run-ins with their bureaucracy more times than I want to remember.