Posted by Mayra Manriquez on 3/7/12 6:57pm
Msg #414233

notarise documents

How can I notarize foreigh documents?

Reply by VT_Syrup on 3/7/12 7:02pm
Msg #414234

I believe New York specifies the wording of the jurat and acknowledgement certificates, so those will be in English because that's the language of the certificates you must use. If the signer speaks your language, and understands the documents, you're all set. If you and the signer do not have a language in common, check your state notary laws to see if you are allowed to use a translator. Whether a translation of the foreign-language document will be needed is for the signer to figure out; non-lawyer notaries can't tell a signer if the document being notarized will accomplish the purpose the signer has in mind or not.

Reply by Mayra Manriquez on 3/7/12 7:39pm
Msg #414242

do you know where I can go to change the documents in English? I live in Gouverneur,
NY

Reply by ikando on 3/7/12 8:20pm
Msg #414247

Mayra, VT-Syrup gave you an excellent response. It should not be your responsibility to translate the document. If the signer understands the document, and you and the signer can understand each other, only the notary verbiage (jurat or acknowledgement) needs to be in English. If you're trying to help the signer have the documents translated, I would suggest Googling for that service in your area.

Reply by VT_Syrup on 3/8/12 8:13am
Msg #414289

To expand on what ikando said, if you are just a notary the would-be signer contacted, just tell the signer it is his/her responsibility to get the document translated, if a translation is needed. If the signer is a friend, and you're trying to help, not as a notary, but as a friend, have the signer find out from whoever is going to receive the documents what the requirements are for the translator. Sometimes anyone who knows both languages will do, other times the translator must be certified by some authority.

Once you find what the requirements are for the translator, you might inquire at the foreign language department at a nearby university if there is a graduate student in that language who want's to make some extra money. For example, http://lang.syr.edu/

Go Orangemen!

Reply by MikeC/TX on 3/8/12 3:23pm
Msg #414339

It depends on the document. NY's notary law requires that documents conveying property must be in English, or a translation attached, before they can be recorded. The laws do not mention any other requirement for translation of documents, or what happens in the case when documents are NOT going to be recorded. The formal acknowledgement that VT_Syrup mentioned also only applies to documents involving conveyance of real property located in NY state; you wouldn't be wrong to use it on a document that does not have to do with real property, but it's not a required format. The acknowledgment or jurat would have to be in English, since you're signing it and should know what it is you're signing, but other than that there's no real guidance.

When I was in NY, my approach was that I'm not required to know what's in the document, so except in the case of a recordable conveyance, it doesn't matter if I can read it or not; I'm just there to ID the signer and take his/her/their acknowledgment or oath.

If in doubt, contact the Dept of State's Division of Licensing Services - (518) 474-4429 - and ask them. If they don't know the answer, they should be able to point you to someone who does.