Guide
How to Prepare a Power of Attorney for Use Abroad
How to prepare, sign and notarize a power of attorney that a foreign notary, registry or court will accept — wording, language, signing, and the state apostille.
Quick answer
Get the required wording from the party abroad that will receive it, have it drafted to match, and sign it in front of a notary. The apostille then comes from the state where the notary is commissioned — not the U.S. Department of State. Many countries want the power of attorney in their language, or bilingual.
On this page
Step by step
Get the receiving party’s requirements in writing
Powers granted, how parties are identified, property or case references, language.
Draft it to match
Ideally with a lawyer familiar with the destination’s rules. Bilingual versions avoid a separate translation step in some countries.
Sign before a notary
Never sign in advance. Check the notarial certificate is complete.
County step, if your state requires it
For example, New York requires county clerk certification first.
State apostille
From the state where the notary is commissioned — see your state page.
Non-Hague destinations
The state-authenticated document then goes to the U.S. Department of State and the embassy.
Don’t sign it the week you leave
When you’ll need it abroad
- Buying or selling property abroad
- Legal representation overseas
- Inheritance and estate matters
- Managing bank accounts in another country
Troubleshooting
The foreign notary rejects the wording
Get their requirements in writing and redraft before signing.
You're already abroad
A U.S. embassy or consulate may offer notarial services by appointment.
The attorney-in-fact's details are wrong
Identity details must match their ID exactly — redo it.
The destination needs its own language
Draft bilingually or add a certified translation.
Next: getting it apostilled
Once you have the document, it needs authentication before a foreign authority will accept it. See how to apostille it. Our price is $299 per document for Hague Convention countries and $399 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, with government fees included.
Frequently asked questions
Who apostilles a notarized power of attorney?
The state where the notary is commissioned.
Does it need to be translated?
Often — or drafted bilingually from the start.
Can you draft it for me?
We don't draft legal documents, but we handle everything from notarization onward and flag common wording problems.
Can I sign the power of attorney electronically?
Some states allow remote online notarization, but check whether the destination accepts it.
Does a power of attorney expire?
Depends on its terms and local law — many institutions want a recent one.
Sources: U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · Hague Conference — Apostille Section. Federal Apostille USA is a private service, not a government agency.
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.