Apostille your notarized power of attorney for real estate transactions, financial management, or legal representation abroad. We handle notarization requirements, apostille, and certified translation. Free consultation.
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Where will this power of attorney be used?
A power of attorney cannot be apostilled directly. The apostille is issued on the notary's signature and seal — which means your POA must be notarized by a licensed notary public first. The Secretary of State then authenticates the notary's commission, making the document internationally recognized.
This two-step process (notarize → apostille) is non-negotiable. Clients who arrive with a non-notarized POA face unnecessary delays. Our free consultation confirms exactly what your POA needs before any work begins.
Common uses for an apostilled power of attorney:
Buying, selling, or managing property in another country without being physically present? An apostilled power of attorney authorizes someone to act on your behalf. We prepare POAs for real estate use in Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Italy, and beyond.
Opening a foreign bank account, managing investments, or handling financial affairs in another country often requires an apostilled POA designating an authorized representative. We process these quickly for time-sensitive transactions.
Need an attorney or family member to represent you in foreign legal proceedings, sign documents, or handle immigration matters on your behalf? An apostilled general or special power of attorney provides that legal authority.
| Document | Issuing authority | Estimated time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notarized Power of Attorney | Notary Public | 1–2 business days to notarize | The POA must be notarized by a licensed notary public before it can be apostilled. The apostille is attached to the notary's signature — not the document itself. A non-notarized POA cannot be apostilled. |
| Apostille certificate | Secretary of State (US) or national apostille authority | 1–10 business days | The Secretary of State apostilles the notary's signature and seal on the POA. The relevant office is the Secretary of State of the state where the notarization was performed. |
| Certified translation (if required) | Sworn / certified translator | 1–3 business days | Required for use in non-English-speaking countries. For legal documents like POAs, translation must be precise and is often reviewed by the receiving party's attorney. |
| Copy of valid passport (grantor) | Applicant | Current | Identity verification for the notarization process. The notary verifies the identity of the person granting the power of attorney. |
Tell us the purpose of your power of attorney and the destination country. We advise on the scope and language of the POA required, confirm notarization requirements, and provide a complete timeline and quote.
If your POA is not yet notarized, we guide you to a licensed notary in your area (or a remote online notary where accepted). We review the notarized document before submission to ensure it meets apostille standards.
We submit your notarized POA to the Secretary of State of the state where it was notarized. We track the submission and provide status updates. Expedited options are available in most states.
If a certified translation is required for your destination country, we arrange it after the apostille is attached. Complete documents are delivered by express tracked courier — ready for legal use abroad.
Information on this page is based on procedures from recognized government and intergovernmental bodies — not third-party estimates.
Reviewed by
Laura ChenLegal Document Expert
Specialist in documents for the English-speaking market with a focus on fast and secure processing.
Yes — always. A power of attorney cannot be apostilled directly. It must first be notarized by a licensed notary public. The apostille is then issued on the notary's signature and seal, confirming that the notary is duly commissioned in that state. Skipping notarization is the most common mistake clients make before coming to us.
The Secretary of State of the state where the notarization was performed. If your POA was notarized in Florida, it must be apostilled by the Florida Secretary of State — regardless of where you currently live. We handle all 50 state offices.
In many cases, yes — but it depends on the destination country. Some foreign authorities (particularly in Spain and some Latin American countries) require traditional ink-on-paper notarization and may not accept remotely notarized documents. We confirm what is acceptable for your specific destination before you notarize.
Once the POA is notarized, apostille processing takes 1–10 business days depending on the state. Expedited services (1–3 business days) are available in most states. Total time from drafting to delivery: typically 3–7 business days with our coordinated service.
Yes, if you're using it in a non-English-speaking country. A power of attorney is a detailed legal document — it must be precisely translated by a certified translator. We provide certified translations accepted by notaries, land registries, banks, and courts in Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Italy, and beyond.
Yes — Spain is a Hague Convention member. A properly notarized and apostilled US power of attorney, accompanied by a certified Spanish translation, is legally valid and accepted by Spanish notaries, land registries, banks, and courts.
We apostille POAs from Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Spain, and many other Hague Convention countries. The notarization and apostille requirements vary by country. Contact us with the details and we will advise on the correct process.
Our POA apostille service starts at $79 (already notarized, apostille only). With certified translation: from $149. If notarization assistance is also needed: from $99. Contact us for a precise quote.
Message us today for a free document review and guidance.