Drafting an International Power of Attorney That Will Be Accepted Abroad

A U.S. power of attorney must be notarized, apostilled, and often translated before it will be honored by a foreign bank, registrar, or court.

Foreign registrars don't accept a U.S. power of attorney on its face. They require the underlying notarization, an apostille or embassy legalization, and — in most non-English jurisdictions — a certified translation completed in the destination country.

When drafting, use the receiving country's preferred format if you can. Civil-law countries (most of Latin America and continental Europe) expect a notarial-form POA with specific powers enumerated. Common-law jurisdictions accept the U.S. statutory form.

Always include the signer's full passport name, identification number, and the precise scope of authority granted.