Authenticate a Power of Attorney for Use Abroad
- Manuela Tomas-Austin
- Nov 4
- 3 min read
How to Authenticate a Power of Attorney for Use Abroad
When you need to use a Power of Attorney (POA) outside the United States, simply signing it in front of a notary is not enough. Foreign authorities require an authentication process to confirm that your signature and the notary’s seal are genuine. This process ensures that your document will be recognized as legally valid abroad.
Below, we explain the steps for authenticating a Power of Attorney for use overseas — including how online notarization, state Apostilles, and embassy legalization work.
Step 1: Notarizing Your Power of Attorney
Before any international authentication can take place, your Power of Attorney must be notarized by a U.S. Notary Public. You have two options:
1. Traditional Notarization
You can visit a local notary in person to sign your Power of Attorney. The notary will verify your identity and witness your signature.
2. Online Notarization
If you prefer a faster and more convenient process, you can notarize your Power of Attorney online through a remote notary platform such as Scribble Seal.Online notarization is legally recognized in all 50 states and is accepted by the U.S. Department of State and most state authorities that issue Apostilles.All you need is a valid ID and a video call with a licensed online notary.
Step 2: Apostille or Embassy Legalization
After notarization, your Power of Attorney must be authenticated depending on the country where it will be used.
If the destination country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention:
You will need an Apostille.
An Apostille is a special certificate issued by a Secretary of State in the U.S. that verifies:
the authenticity of the notary’s signature,
the authority of the notary, and
the seal used on the document.
Once your Power of Attorney receives the Apostille, it becomes legally valid in any of the 125+ countries that are members of the Hague Convention.For example, if your Power of Attorney will be used in France, Spain, or Portugal, an Apostille is sufficient.
At Scribble Seal, Apostilles can be processed through an Express Service, often within 48 hours, depending on the state.
If the destination country is not part of the Hague Convention:
You will need Embassy or Consular Legalization.
Some countries — including the United Arab Emirates (Dubai), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and China — are not members of the Apostille Convention these cases, the process includes several steps:
Notarization of the Power of Attorney (online or in person).
State authentication by the Secretary of State.
Certification by the U.S. Department of State (in Washington, D.C.).
Legalization by the embassy or consulate of the destination country.
For example, if your Power of Attorney is intended for use in Dubai, it must be legalized at the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C., after it has been authenticated at both the state and federal levels.
This multi-step process confirms to the foreign authorities that your document is authentic under U.S. law.
Why Some Countries Require Embassy Legalization
Countries that are not part of the Hague Apostille Convention have their own systems to verify foreign documents.They require embassy or consular legalization to ensure that:
the document was properly notarized in its country of origin,
the signatures are legitimate, and
it meets local legal standards.
In short, while an Apostille is a one-step international certification, embassy legalization involves multiple levels of verification for non-Hague countries.
Step 3: Submitting or Using Your Document Abroad
Once your Power of Attorney has been authenticated (by Apostille or embassy legalization), it can be sent to the foreign authority, lawyer, or government agency that requested it.Always check with the recipient in advance to confirm which form of authentication they require — Apostille or embassy legalization — as it depends on the country and the document type.
Final Thoughts
Authenticating a Power of Attorney for use abroad may seem complex, but it follows a clear structure:
Notarize the document (online or in person).
Obtain an Apostille or embassy legalization, depending on the destination country.
Services like Scribble Seal make this process straightforward by offering online notarization, free consultations, and Express Apostille Service for those who need documents ready quickly.
With the right authentication, your Power of Attorney will be fully recognized and legally valid anywhere in the world.