vodkaismywater t1_jad7cm3 wrote on February 28, 2023 at 4:25 PM

Reply to comment by Away_Refuse8493 in Help! Notary for documents in Chinese? by fyreflake

Not correct. The exclusive function of a notary is to verify the identity of a signatory. They do not evaluate or read the contents of the document whatsoever.

You could notarize signatures on a potato if you wanted to.

Away_Refuse8493 t1_jad9z1c wrote on February 28, 2023 at 4:42 PM

That's fine, but I don't really see the point of getting something notarized in a foreign language, without a translator also signing off that it's been translated correctly, if you want it to be enforceable. There is no "Chinese court" - granted you could probably have a translator on the back end, but two parties that only speak Chinese doing business in Philadelphia don't need a notary to do business. (You don't need a notary for most things to be enforceable anyway, Docusign will do).

I'm just trying to think of context. I suppose if they are applying for Chinese citizenship or these documents are going to China, or something, it would make sense.

fyreflake OP t1_jadb3f5 wrote on February 28, 2023 at 4:49 PM

My parent passed away overseas and I'm trying to declare a power of attorney to represent me in Taiwan for legal matters. The Taiwan embassy in New York requires all related paperwork to be notarized (so they can prove it's me who's signing the documents) before they will authenticate it for use in Taiwan. The actual contents of the documents don't matter—they just need to know it's actually me who's signing the documents. Hope that clarifies the context!

cashewkowl t1_jadfg3t wrote on February 28, 2023 at 5:17 PM

Can you use an independent notary? I know my mom used to be a notary as well as the secretary at my kid’s school. This was in another state, but maybe put a request on r/phillylist for a notary who will do this.

fyreflake OP t1_jaeril4 wrote on February 28, 2023 at 10:23 PM

I contacted a few that were iffy due to the foreign language. Still waiting for callbacks from others.

Away_Refuse8493 t1_jadcofe wrote on February 28, 2023 at 4:59 PM

That makes sense. I don't have a recommendation, but as the other person stated, if it doesn't need to be understood in the US (since its going to Taiwan) wouldn't any notary do? You can just call and see if this is fine?

Similarly, I once had to do foreign-language paperwork for stuff in a foreign countries, and they required I either show up in person or have a proxy go on my behalf, so maybe you need an on-the-ground attorney (or PoA of your own) to execute this? Sorry, this is more me thinking vs knowing the actual answer. Good luck!