How to apostille a power of attorney for use abroad

A power of attorney (POA) lets another person act on your behalf in another country: selling or buying property, representing you at a bank, handling an inheritance or signing before a notary. To be accepted outside the U.S., it usually must be notarized and then apostilled.poder (Power of Attorney) permite que otra persona actúe en su nombre en otro país: vender o comprar una propiedad, representarlo en un banco, gestionar una herencia o firmar ante notaría. Para ser aceptado fuera de EE.UU., normalmente debe notarizarse y luego apostillarse.

The steps, in order

1. Prepare the text of the POA (sometimes the destination country or notary requires a specific format).
2. Sign it before a notary — in person or, in some states, by Remote Online Notarization (RON).
3. The notarized document is apostilled in the state where the notarization took place.
4. If the destination country requires it, a certified translation is coordinated.

Points worth checking BEFORE signing

• The POA is apostilled in the state where it is notarized, not where you live.
• Confirm whether the destination accepts Remote Online Notarization (RON).
• Check the format or wording required by the receiving notary or authority.

Reviewing the draft before signing avoids rework and delays. We are glad to review it at no cost.