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Immigration/Foreign Language

A client brings a document written entirely in Japanese. The California notary only speaks English and Spanish. However, the notary is able to communicate freely with the client in English. Can the notary notarize the client's signature on this Japanese document?

A

No, unless an official English translation is permanently attached to the document.

B

No, a notary can never notarize a document they cannot read.

C

Yes, provided the notary uses a bonded translator to translate the document's contents.

D

Yes, because a notary's function only relates to the signature and not the content, provided they can communicate with the signer and the document appears complete.

Official source: 2026 California Notary Public Handbook (2026)

Reference: Immigration/Foreign Language

Source checked September 7, 2026

✓

Correct Answer

D. Yes, because a notary's function only relates to the signature and not the content, provided they can communicate with the signer and the document appears complete.

Detailed Explanation

Foreign Language Documents. A notary public can notarize a signature on a document in a foreign language with which they are not familiar, since a notary's function only relates to the signature and not the content. The only requirements are that the notary can communicate directly with the signer (no interpreters) and the document does not appear incomplete.

Immigration/Foreign Language Question #126
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