What obligation do notaries have when dealing with non-English speakers?

When dealing with non-English speakers, notaries must make reasonable efforts to assist individuals in understanding the documents they are signing, but they are not required to provide translation services themselves. This means that while a notary should strive to ensure that the signer comprehends the content of the document, they are not expected to be professional translators or interpreters.

The notary may facilitate the notarization process by asking clarifying questions and encouraging the signer to seek assistance from a qualified translator if necessary. However, if a signer does not understand the language of the document purely due to language barriers, the notary should not refuse to notarize, as long as the signer can still affirm their identity and intent.

This approach respects the needs of non-English speakers while maintaining the integrity of the notarization process.