Transparency 

I am not an attorney licensed to practice law in South Carolina. I do not prepare legal documents or act as a legal advisor. I can not answer questions about legal documents, give legal advice or accept fees for legal advice.

A notary public’s jurisdiction extends throughout the State of South Carolina, but does not extend beyond its borders (§26-1- 80). Jurisdiction is limited to the physical borders of South Carolina and notarial acts cannot be performed outside of the state. However, documents for use in another state may be notarized in South Carolina so long as the notarization physically takes place within the borders of the state.

Pursuant to S.C. Code of Laws §26-1-90(A), notaries public can perform the following notarial acts: 1. Acknowledgements 2. Oaths and Affirmations 3. Attestations and Jurats 4. Signature Witnessing 5. Verifications 6. Any other acts authorized by law.

Pursuant to S.C. Code of Laws §20-1-20, a person authorized to administer oaths in South Carolina may perform marriage ceremonies. This includes notaries public.

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South Carolina Code of Laws §26-1-90(I), (L), and (M) prescribe certain requirements for notaries regarding use of foreign languages. First, a notary public cannot execute a notarial certificate in a language other than English. A foreign language translation may include a translation of the notarial certificate into that foreign language, but the notary will only execute the English language certificate.

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Notario Publico Fraud: Notario publico fraud occurs when individuals dishonestly represent themselves as being qualified to provide legal advice or services by calling themselves “notarios publicos.” While this is a Spanish translation of notary public, many members of immigrant communities associate a different meaning to this title. In some of Latin America, a notario publico has greater legal power and authority than a notary public in South Carolina. This creates confusion and many immigrants rely on these notarios publicos for services--including counsel on immigration matters--that constitute the unauthorized practice of law. Pursuant to the South Carolina law governing notaries, a notary cannot use the term “notario publico” in any advertisements or notices.

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I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND I MAY NOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE OR ACCEPT FEES FOR LEGAL ADVICE.

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El Código de Leyes de Carolina del Sur 26-1-90(I), (L) y (M) prescriben ciertos requisitos para los notarios con respecto al uso de idiomas extranjeros. Primero, un notario publico no puede ejecutar un certificado notarial en un idioma que no sea el Ingles. Una traducción a un idioma extranjero puede incluir una traducción del certificado notarial a ese idioma extranjero, pero el notario solo ejecutara el certificado en Ingles.

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Fraude de notario publico: El fraude de notario publico ocurre cuando las personas se presentan de manera deshonesta como calificadas para brindar asesoramiento o servicios legales llamándose a sí mismos "notarios públicos". Si bien esta es una traducción al español de notario publico, muchos miembros de las comunidades de inmigrantes asocian un significado diferente a este titulo. En algunas partes de América Latina, un notario publico tiene mayor autoridad y poder legal que un notario publico en Carolina del Sur. Esto crea confusión y muchos inmigrantes confían en estos notarios públicos para obtener servicios, incluido el asesoramiento en asuntos de inmigración, que constituyen la practica no autorizada del la ley. De conformidad con la ley de Carolina del Sur que rige a los notarios, un notario no puede usar el termino "notario publico" en ningún anuncio o notificación.

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NO SOY ABOGADO CON LICENCIA PARA PRACTICAR EL DERECHO EN EL ESTADO DE CAROLINA DEL SUR, Y NO PUEDO BRINDAR ASESORÍA LEGAL NI ACEPTAR HONORARIOS POR ASESORÍA LEGAL.