Spanish-speaking notary in San Diego
A notary who speaks your language, across the South Bay and the whole county. And an important distinction: a California notary public is not a notario público.
We serve Spanish-speaking clients across San Diego County, and we think it is worth being precise about what a notary public in the United States is – because the difference between the two meanings of the word causes real harm here every year.
Important: a notary public is not a notario público. In Mexico, Spain and much of Latin America, a notario is a highly trained lawyer with substantial legal authority. In California, a notary public is a witness to signatures and identity, with no authority to give legal advice of any kind. California law specifically prohibits a notary from calling themselves a notario or notario público, because the confusion has been used to defraud immigrant communities for decades. We are notaries public. We are not notarios, and we are not attorneys.
What we can and cannot do
| We can | We cannot |
|---|---|
| Verify your identity and witness your signature | Give you legal advice about immigration or anything else |
| Administer oaths and complete jurats | Choose which form or document you need |
| Notarize powers of attorney, affidavits and consents | Fill in immigration forms on your behalf |
| Handle apostilles through the Secretary of State | Represent you before any court or agency |
| Arrange certified translation through our sister company | Tell you what a document means for your case |
If someone presents themselves as a notario and offers to help with an immigration case, that is a warning sign, not a service. Immigration advice in the United States comes from a licensed attorney or a representative accredited by the Department of Justice.
How we work with Spanish-speaking clients
A California notary must be able to communicate directly with the signer about the notarial act. The law does not allow us to work through a friend or relative interpreting, because we have to satisfy ourselves directly that you understand and are acting willingly. So when you book, tell us you need Spanish and we will send a notary who speaks it, or tell you honestly that we cannot cover it that day rather than wasting your time.
The document itself may be in Spanish. We can notarize a signature on a Spanish-language document, as long as the notarial certificate attached to it is in English. What we cannot do is certify what the document says – for that you need a certified translation.
Common work for our Spanish-speaking clients
- Cartas de consentimiento – parental consent letters for a child travelling to Mexico or elsewhere
- Poderes notariales – powers of attorney for property, inheritance or business in another country
- Apostillas for birth and marriage certificates going to Mexico, Spain, Colombia, Peru and other Hague Convention countries
- Actas y declaraciones juradas – affidavits and sworn statements
- Documentos de compraventa – property and vehicle transfers
We work throughout the South Bay, including Chula Vista, National City and San Ysidro, as well as the rest of the county.
Documents going to Mexico
Mexico is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so a US document going there needs an apostille rather than consular legalisation. The Mexican authority receiving it will usually also want a translation into Spanish, done after the apostille is attached. We handle the notarization and the apostille, and coordinate the translation. See apostille services.
Somos notarios públicos del estado de California. No somos abogados y no podemos dar asesoría legal sobre inmigración ni sobre ningún otro asunto legal. Las tarifas máximas por actos notariales están fijadas por la ley de California: (858) 888-8060.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have Spanish-speaking notaries?
Yes, though not every notary on the team speaks Spanish, so tell us when you book. California requires the notary to communicate directly with you about the notarial act, so we will not send someone who cannot. Call or text (858) 888-8060.
Can my daughter translate for me during the appointment?
No, and this is a legal requirement rather than a preference. The notary has to satisfy themselves directly that you understand the act and are signing willingly, and that cannot be done through an interpreter. Ask for a Spanish-speaking notary when you book.
Can you notarize a document written in Spanish?
Yes. The notarial certificate attached to it has to be in English, but the document itself can be in any language. We are certifying the signature and the signer's identity, not the contents.
Are you a notario publico?
No. We are notaries public under California law, which is a much narrower role than a notario público in Mexico or Spain. California law actually prohibits a notary from using that term, because the confusion has been used to take advantage of people. We cannot give legal advice of any kind.
Next step
Tell us what you need
We will come back with a time and a firm price. If it is urgent, call or text (858) 888-8060.