Michigan Department of State
Office of the Great Seal
Notary Public Information

Notaries are not prohibited legally from notarizing a document written in a foreign language. However, there are numerous potential problems, including the fact that the term notary public, when translated into other languages, can refer to a markedly different office, with far greater authority than in the United States. A notary public should not proceed to notarize any document with which they are not comfortable doing so. The notary may recommend using a notary public familiar with the language in which the document is written.