Why apostille or legalize a Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows one person to handle the affairs of another person. For the purposes of a Power of Attorney, you would be known as the principal, grantor, or donor and the person you appoint to represent you would be known as the agent or attorney-in-fact. The Power of Attorney allows business, financial, health and other transactions to take place even when you are not able to be present. For those living, studying, or conducting business overseas, a Power of Attorney is often a necessary part of life allowing you to conduct business or personal matters while away (even something so simple as depositing a paycheck or retrieving your mail).

In almost all cases, a Power of Attorney is not official unless notarized. Since the country or agency receiving or reviewing the POA is going to decide whether or not to accept the document, it is wise to ensure they have no reason to question its validity and authority.

If Power of Attorney is meant for foreign use

When you travel, study or conduct business overseas and need professional, personal or family matters handled in the United States, a notarized Power of Attorney is often enough. However, when the agent or attorney-in-fact will be acting on your behalf in another country, the Power of Attorney requires authentication and translation. Note: this can work the other way, too. If the Power of Attorney was drafted in another nation and you want it to be enforced in the United States, it will need to be translated into a foreign language and authenticated.

The authentication process varies depending on the country or countries in which you will be doing business. For example, member countries of the Hague Convention of 1961 (currently 80 countries, 79 states, and one Regional Economic Integration Organization) require a stamp of authenticity known as a “document apostille”. Other countries require a Certificate of Authenticity from the U.S. Office of Authentications or U.S. Department of State, but may also require further stamps and seals including Consular certification by your embassy and theirs.

In short, if you will be in a Hague Convention country, a Power of Attorney Apostille certificate can ensure that all business and personal practices take place under a full legal guarantee. If operating outside of the Hague Convention countries, you need to ensure you know which authentication process is required.

Power of Attorney in the language of destination country

Once you receive your apostille, you will want to have it and your documents translated. Most countries will not consider documents “legal” unless they are written in the language of the country in which they will be presented. Accepted legal document drawing forms must meet stringent certification and notarization requirements.

Having documents apostilled when you are overseas can be time-consuming and troubling. Time differences, mailing costs, and other obstacles can make the process seem impossible. If you find yourself in this situation, you may want to consider using a document drawing services, offered by Apoling Solutions. No matter what is the destination country – we’ll compose a Power of Attorney in the language of the State, where the document will be used.

In order to ensure your documents are valid and serve the purpose for which they were prepared, it is highly recommended that you avail yourself of professional notary, translation, and apostille agencies. You do not want to be searching for services in another country and hoping that their services will be acceptable.

Why hire our notaries, apostille agents and translators

Apoling Solutions is a full-service apostille, document drawing, translation (over 55 languages and English dialects), and document retrieval service familiar with international law, business regulations and the business laws of foreign countries. Apoling Solutions understands the details and potential challenges of the Power of Attorney apostille process, and will ensure your documents are properly legalized. This means that from one location, Apoling Solutions retrieves documents, notarizes documents, orders certified copies, apostilles and authenticates documents, translates, certifies translations, and expedites your documents back to you.

With Apoling Solutions, you need to contact just one agency regardless of where you live or how many document apostilles you need. Even better, you have peace of mind knowing that your documents will be legal, accepted, and not require any additional services because they are guaranteed to align with all international and domestic requirements.