Documents

Apostille a Power of Attorney

A power of attorney (POA) lets someone act on your behalf abroad — selling property, managing a foreign bank account, signing contracts, or handling family matters. To be recognized overseas, it must be notarized and apostilled.

What you need

  • A notarized power of attorney — signed in front of a US notary public.
  • The state where it was notarized (determines the issuing Secretary of State).
  • For some destination countries: specific wording required by their legal system. Check with the receiving party first.

Must be notarized first

The apostille authenticates the notary, not the document itself. An un-notarized POA cannot be apostilled — the signature and acknowledgment must be in place first.

When you need a POA apostille

  • Selling or buying property abroad
  • Managing foreign bank accounts or investments
  • Authorizing legal representation overseas
  • Granting parental authority (e.g., for travel or school)
  • Handling inheritance and probate matters abroad
  • Vehicle or business transactions in another country

How long does it take?

  • Standard: 5–10 business days
  • Express: 2–4 business days
  • Rush: 24–72 hours (select states only)

Common questions

Can I write my own POA?

Yes, though many countries have specific format requirements. We strongly recommend confirming wording with a lawyer or the receiving party in the destination country before notarizing.

Can it be in another language?

The POA can be in English, the destination language, or bilingual. The notary acknowledgment must be understandable to the US notary (typically English).

Can multiple people sign?

Yes — each signer must be notarized. The apostille will authenticate the notary, and the notary will have acknowledged each signature.

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Instant pricing, secure uploads, real humans handling your file.

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