What is notarization of translation?
Notarization is the process of authenticating a document by swearing the truth of the “Certificate of Translation” which is a private document before a notary public. In order to notarize a translation, the translator has to sign the affidavit in the presence of the notary public at the notary public office. The notary public must also attach his official seal and signature to prove he was witness thereto and this serves to make the responsibility of the translator or translation company official. Likewise, when notarizing documents at a consulate the consul must sign his signature to prove s/he witnessed the translator signing the affidavit. Having a translation notarized at the notary public office or consulate increases the official nature of a translation performed by a translation company in the private sector.
In Japan documents can only be notarized at notary public offices where there are “notary publics” as prescribed in the Notary Act of Japan. Please note that notarial services performed at consulates is only valid for documents to be submitted to the governments, ministries, agencies or private agencies of the country of the consulate. (There are exceptions such as in the case of Saipan which although is not in the United States, is a commonwealth of the United States and therefore the U.S. consulate will provide notarial services for documents to be submitted to the country.)
Under Japanese law, notarization is the exclusive business of notary publics (national public servants), however, consuls of foreign consulates within Japan also have the authority to notarize documents to be submitted to their respective countries. Each country or consulate makes its own decisions regarding notarization by a consul of documents from Japanese citizens or those from countries outside of their own so be sure to check with the consulate if you need to. We have had a large number of our official document translations notarized by notary publics and consuls.
⇒ Samurai Translator’s notarization service