Florida Notary Public Updates

Yes, you can notarize a document written in a language you don't understand, but you must be careful. Here’s what you should consider.

Can you talk directly to your customer?

You need to communicate with the person whose signature you are notarizing. Don't use a translator because you can't be sure the translation is accurate. Direct communication in a shared language is necessary.

Do you know which notarial act to perform?

Look at the certificate wording. Can you read and understand which notarial act is required? And is that act allowed in Florida?

Are you certifying anything you're not allowed to?

Sometimes, documents from other countries ask notaries to certify facts or actions that are not allowed in Florida. Make sure you are able to read and understand the certificate language to avoid certifying something you're not authorized to.

Can you change or replace the notarial certificate?

In Florida, you can modify or replace a notarial certificate if it doesn’t comply with state laws or rules. But you can't change anything in a document after it’s signed by anyone. If the notarial certificate wording doesn’t match Florida’s format and the document is already signed, you must decline to notarize.

Always follow Florida's laws and guidelines when dealing with documents in a language you don’t know.