What should a notary do when the document contains a foreign language?

When dealing with a document that contains a foreign language, a notary should ensure clear communication with the signer. This is crucial because the notary’s primary responsibility is to confirm the identity of the signer and ensure they understand the contents of the document they are signing. If the notary cannot communicate in a common language with the signer, it poses a challenge to verify that the signer is aware of what they are signing, which is fundamental to the notarization process.

This choice reinforces the importance of comprehension in notarization. Without understanding, the notary cannot fulfill their duty to prevent fraud or coercion. Therefore, communicating effectively in a common language is essential for the notary to provide their service correctly and to maintain the integrity of the notarization.