Section 2.5 - Foreign Language Documents

Interestingly, while a notary must be able to clearly communicate with their client, they need not understand exactly what it is they are notarizing. A notary public can notarize a signature on a document in a foreign language they do not understand because the notary public is not responsible for the contents of the document. However, the notary public should be able to identify the type of document being notarized for entry in the notary public’s journal.

If unable to identify the type of document, the notary public must make an entry to that effect in their journal, e.g. "a document in a foreign language." The notary public should be mindful of the completeness of the document and must not notarize the signature on the document if the document appears to be incomplete. The notary public is responsible for completing the acknowledgment or jurat form.