Need a Notary for your foreign power of attorney?

Your Notary can help you deal with a foreign power of attorney document. If you own assets overseas or have to conduct business yourself or for a friend or relative abroad, your overseas lawyer or representative may ask you to sign a power of attorney in this country granting them rights to act for you in the overseas country.  This is a usual arrangement. 

Your overseas lawyer should advise you on the terms and effect of the power of attorney and what your rights are in relation to the person acting as your attorney.  They will send you a copy of the document and you will be asked to sign it in front of a Notary in the UK.  It may not look like the legal documents you see in this country and this is because, in some countries, powers of attorney will be in public form.  This is a particular style of document used in civil law jurisdictions, but not something we in the UK use.  Your Notary is an expert in overseas documents and will know what needs to be done to execute the document.

The document must be completed in a specific way and signed by you and your Notary.  It may need an Apostille or further legalisation before it can be sent back to your overseas lawyer.  Your Notary can advise on this and arrange for the additional requirements to be completed. 

The process will usually take between five and seven days from the date of your meeting with your Notary.  If you have a deadline to meet, it is best to arrange a meeting with your Notary as soon as possible to ensure it is completed and back in the hands of your overseas lawyer in good time.