What English do you need for daily life abroad?

Yes, I'm a notary public. What type of document do you need notarized?

是的，我是公证员。需要公证什么类型的文件？

I can do that. I'll need to see a valid photo ID — a driver's license or passport will work. And you must sign the document in front of me, not beforehand.

可以办。我需要看有效的带照片证件——驾照或护照都行。而且您必须在我面前签名，不能提前签好。

It's $15 per signature. Your document has two signature lines that need notarizing, so it'll be $30 total.

每个签名15美元。您的文件有两处签名需要公证，一共30美元。

For a power of attorney, some states require a witness in addition to the notary. Let me check — yes, in this state you need one witness. Is there someone who can come with you?

委托书在有些州除了公证员还需要见证人。我查一下——是的，这个州需要一个见证人。有人能跟你一起来吗？

As long as she's not named in the document and has a valid ID, yes. Please bring her in and we'll get this done.

只要她不是文件中的当事人而且有有效证件就行。请叫她进来，我们开始办理。

I can notarize the document, but an apostille has to be issued by the Secretary of State's office. The notarization is usually the first step, though.

我可以公证文件，但海牙认证需要由州务卿办公室签发。不过公证通常是第一步。

You can mail the notarized document to the Secretary of State with a cover letter and a fee — usually around $5 to $20 per document. Or you can go in person for same-day service in some states.

可以把公证好的文件连同申请信和费用邮寄给州务卿——每份文件通常5到20美元。有些州也可以亲自去办当天就好。

By mail it's usually two to four weeks. If you're in a hurry, some third-party services can expedite it for an extra fee — usually three to five business days.

邮寄通常两到四周。如果着急，有些第三方服务可以加急办理——通常三到五个工作日，额外收费。

Sounds like a plan. I'll make a certified copy as well, in case you need a backup. That's an extra $5.

好主意。我也给你做一份经认证的副本以防万一。额外5美元。