How to handle government services in English?

Absolutely, I can help with that. I'll need to see a valid government-issued photo ID — a driver's license or passport works. Have you already signed the document, or were you planning to sign it here?

当然可以。我需要看一下有效的政府签发的带照片的证件——驾照或护照都行。你已经签了文件了，还是打算在这里签？

Perfect — that's exactly right, you need to sign in front of me. Your passport works fine. Let me verify your identity. Can you confirm your full name and date of birth as it appears on your passport?

完美——完全正确，你需要在我面前签。护照可以用。让我验证一下你的身份。你能确认护照上的全名和出生日期吗？

Everything matches. Go ahead and sign right here where it says 'Signature.' I'll add my notary seal and signature below. The fee is five dollars. Do you need any copies?

信息都对得上。在写着 Signature 的地方签名。我在下面加上我的公证印章和签名。费用是五美元。你需要复印件吗？

Yes, we offer remote online notarization. You'll need a webcam, a stable internet connection, and your government ID. We use a secure platform that records the entire session. I'll send you a link, and we can do it over video. There's an additional ten-dollar technology fee on top of the regular notary fee.

是的，我们提供远程在线公证。你需要摄像头、稳定的网络连接和政府签发的证件。我们使用一个安全的平台录制整个过程。我给你发个链接，我们通过视频完成。除了常规公证费外，还有十美元的技术费。

As long as the main body is in English and the signature lines are clear, that's fine. I'm notarizing your signature, not the content of the document. Just make sure you understand what you're signing. If the entire document were in a foreign language, I might need a certified translation.

只要主体是英文的、签名行清楚就没问题。我公证的是你的签名，不是文件内容。你只要确保你理解你在签的是什么。如果整个文件都是外语的，我可能需要一份认证翻译。

I can't issue an apostille — only the Secretary of State's office can do that. After I notarize your document, you'll need to send it to your state's Secretary of State with an apostille request form and a fee, usually around fifteen dollars. You can mail it or sometimes do it online. Processing takes about one to two weeks. Since China joined the Hague Convention, an apostille is all you need — no consulate legalization required.

我不能签发 apostille——只有州务卿办公室可以。我公证完你的文件后，你需要把它和 apostille 申请表和费用（通常大约15美元）一起寄到你所在州的州务卿办公室。可以邮寄，有时也可以网上办理。处理时间大约一到两周。由于中国加入了海牙公约，apostille 就够了——不需要领事馆认证。