CDI Notary Services

How to Renew as a Notary
If you're interested in renewing your commission as a Notary Public, this practical guide will answer the most commonly asked questions.

What is the process to renew as a Notary Public?
While procedures differ from state to state, the general process to renew your Notary appointment includes:

Complete any state-required training or testing
Fill out and submit a Notary application
Purchase and file your bond (and take and file your oath, where required)
Take your oath of office
Receive your commission from the state
Order your Notary seal, journal and other supplies
Begin performing Notary duties

5 sound practices that steer you clear of lawsuits and costly errors Find out how to avoid notarization mistakes that lead to costly lawsuits with this advice from our veteran Notary experts.

Certify a
Translation?

Notaries in the United States are not authorized
to certify translations, even if they are fluent in a
particular foreign language.

A Notary’s seal and title may not lawfully be used to
guarantee the accuracy of a translation, nor to make
it official or valid. A Notary could get into serious
trouble with the law for misusing an official seal in
this way.
However, a Notary may notarize the signature of
another person on a translator’s declaration — as long
as the Notary is not the translator and notarizing his
or her own signature. Such a declaration would state
the translator’s qualifications and that the translation
is accurate to the best of the translator’s knowledge
and belief.
The translator must provide the exact wording for
any translator’s declaration.
If you’ve been asked to submit a Notary-certified
translation, you’ll have to explain to the requesting
agency that U.S. Notaries just aren’t authorized to do
this. A court-certified translator, though, might be able
to provide you with the needed certified translatio