I work in a hospital in CA, and we are translating some advance directive documents into Spanish. The documents contain references to notaries - I told my boss team that per CA law we are not allowed to use “notario” or “notario publico” as translations. She asked me how we are supposed to translate it and I realized I had no idea.
Do you leave it in English? Do you use “fedetario” or another Spanish word? We’re running this by our legal and interpreter services departments, as well - just curious what solutions you all have used
This is a question for your Secretary of State, National Notary Association or American Association of Notaries. Also, take a look at your state’s regulations regarding notary guidelines. Those guidelines will most likely have some code(s) regarding either terminology and/or translation into other languages.
If you’re translating advance directive documents into Spanish for your hispanic patients, and it’s going to be signed in California, the only part that should be in Spanish is the document body itself; I believe your certificate MUST be in English (I know it has to be here in FL and I believe CA is similar)…so no need to address the term “notary public”. Check your handbook for guidance on certificates for foreign language documents.
You are correct that the notary statement has to be in English. But, I believe she was referring to the content of the directive that references that the document requires notarization by a licensed notary. At least, that’s how I read the question. Is that correct?
