Vicky Gerson
2 Posts
(, CA)
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Can I translate an Acknowledgment into another language which I am fluent in, as long as I only seal and sign the English Acknowledgment? I am being asked to certify a signature of a Power of Attorney in Spanish to be used in another country.
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Paul Williamson
103 Posts
(Inverness, FL)
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Typically, if a document, especially a legal document such as a Power of Attorney, needs to have an apostille or consulate legalization before it can be used in a foreign country. Simply translating the notarial certificate is not enough. Check with the document custodian to ensure that a simple translation would be sufficient.
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Lisa Thornton
288 Posts
(Upland, CA)
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Call the CA SOS 916-653-3595 and ask them if notarial certificates (Acknowledgments and Jurats) can be translated to another language. I'm going to say NO, but check with them as they have the final say so.
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Lisa Thornton
288 Posts
(Upland, CA)
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I called the CA SOS and was told that an Acknowledgment or Jurat coming through their office for an Apostille - the notarial certificate MUST be in English so they can see if it is compliant. If the document was not leaving the U.S. - she didn't really know the answer to that, but a document requiring an Apostille must have the certificates in English.
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Paul Williamson
103 Posts
(Inverness, FL)
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The original poster (OP) stated that the certificate that she would use (sign and stamp) was in English. However, she wanted to know if she could translate the certificate. IMO, it could be translated at any time without affecting the notarization (in English) nor the ability to obtain an apostille. So I would say yes, it can be translated, but the notary cannot sign/stamp the translated certificate.
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Vicky Gerson
2 Posts
(, CA)
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Thanks! This is what I meant. I am signing and stamping an Acknowledgment in English. I wasn't sure if a translation of this acknowledgment (not stamped or signed by me) might be needed in Colombia, where the Spanish power of attorney is from and where it will be used. Sounds like the apostille takes care of the need to translate.
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Paul Williamson
103 Posts
(Inverness, FL)
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You are correct. Documents that are notarized and sent to another country require verification or legalization of the notary's signature and official capacity prior to acceptance by the receiving country. The Hague Convention agreement, which Columbia is a member, simplifies the process by allowing the attachment of a single verifying certificate called an Apostille (a French word meaning "note"). The Apostille entitles the document to full recognition in the country of intended use, and no further authentication or legalization is required.
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