Posted by Noor Bakhtari on 10/18/11 1:17am
Msg #400808

translated birth certificate

Can I notarize translated copy of birth certificate?

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 10/18/11 1:43am
Msg #400810

See page 16 of your handbook.

Reply by Buddy Young on 10/18/11 1:56am
Msg #400811

We can only notarize copies of power of attorny, and copies of our own journal.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 10/18/11 12:48pm
Msg #400852

Buddy, did you have a momentary brain disruption?

You must have meant we can only "certify" copies of .....

Reply by Buddy Young on 10/18/11 6:14pm
Msg #400898

Re: Buddy, did you have a momentary brain disruption? yes n/m

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 10/18/11 4:46am
Msg #400813

Probably, depends ...

Since the actual translation is NOT a "copy" of the actual Birth Certificate - but instead, a written translation of the information that's ON the Birth Certificate, it becomes a written statement of fact. As a written statement of fact, it could feasibly be notarized & likely as a sworn statement.

The next question would be whether the intended recipient would accept this translation in this manner.

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 10/18/11 10:07am
Msg #400829

California Notary Law (Health & Safety Code section )103545

clearly states "certified copies of birth, fetal death, death and marriage records may be made only by the State Registrar, by duly appointed and acting local registrars during their term of office, and by county recorders", so it is not acceptable and is against California notary Law.
See page 16 of The Notary Public Handbook for California (2011). as Glenn suggested.

Reply by Notarysigner on 10/18/11 10:19am
Msg #400834

Re: California notary Law (Health & Safety Code section )103545

Thanks Stephanie. I wish more people would cite examples of the codes, etc when posting, Like PAW did. Others do also but we need more of it. IMO

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 10/18/11 10:38am
Msg #400838

This is NOT a "certified copy", hence my prior response n/m

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 10/18/11 10:54am
Msg #400842

Renee, I would never encourage Noor to notarize a

translated copy of a birth certificate.
True, while it may not be a CERTIFIED copy of a birth certificate; I recommend anything having to do with vital records be handled by the County Clerk.

Stephanie

Reply by HisHughness on 10/18/11 1:10pm
Msg #400861

Somebody instruct me, please

How does notarizing a jurat on an affidavit that says "I am Shudbe N. English and the following is a translation of a birth certificate for Johnathan Doughe" differ in character from notarizing an affidavit that says "I am A. Goner and I am in the ER because I chuckled when my wife told the drivers license examiner that she weighed 120 pounds?" It seems to me in each case the notary is simply notarizing an affidavit, not certifying the truth, legtimacy or validity of anything.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/18/11 7:32pm
Msg #400905

Re: Somebody instruct me, please

Thanks, Hugh. Your comment was much more interesting than anything I could have come up with. But I agree with you and Renee.

A translation is not the same as a copy and I can see different applications for each. A person could have a valid, authorized original copy of their birth certificate, but the intended recipient may not be able to read it and could have need for a translation. Entirely different function. It also makes sense to me that they might want the accuracy of that translation to be sworn to by the person who did it (or signed it) before a notary.

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 10/18/11 9:22pm
Msg #400909

I agree Hugh. Unless I have actual knowledge that an

affidavit is, in fact, false, I have no prolem notarizing it.
I suspect however, that to the party receiving this paricular affidavit, when they require an actual birth certificate, it is probably a usefull as a juicy fruit wrapper, That however , is not my problem. You id yourself, sign it and swear to it, and I am good.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 10/18/11 12:46pm
Msg #400851

Sure .. probably

Because we notarize signatures, not documents, you could notarize the signature on a document containing a translation of a birth certificate. The document must also contain a written statement by the translator (or somebody) that the translation is true and correct; then, you'd administer an oath/affirmation to the signer that their written statement is true, and complete a jurat. This might be all the receiving agency needs. They might not want a certified copy of the vital record (which CA notaries cannot do) because they wouldn't be able to read it anyway .... They may just want it translated.

Reply by Yoli/CA on 10/18/11 1:15pm
Msg #400863

The usual procedure is for a translator to translate the document. A statement is then drawn up and attached stating (translator) swears and/or affirms s/he translated (said) document and under penalty of perjury further swears and/or affirms it is a true and accurate translation.

This is then taken before a notary public for jurat notarization and all that's required for jurat.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 10/18/11 1:27pm
Msg #400865

You said it so much better than I did, Yoli! n/m