E-Apostille for a Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney is one of the most common documents clients ask us to prepare for use overseas — typically to allow a UK-based donor to authorise someone to manage a property sale, a business matter, or a financial transaction abroad on their behalf. It's also one of the document types best suited to the FCDO's e-Apostille service, since the entire process, from notarisation through to legalisation, can be handled electronically from start to finish.
Why Powers of Attorney Suit E-Apostille
Unlike a government-issued record such as a birth certificate, a Power of Attorney is a private legal document that we, as Notaries Public, certify directly. That means we can apply the required Qualified Electronic Signature at the point of notarisation, keeping the entire chain digital — from your signature, through our certification, to FCDO submission — with no physical original ever needing to leave your possession.
This makes the Power of Attorney one of the more reliably eligible document types for e-Apostille, and one we handle regularly for clients based both in the UK and overseas.
How We Handle It
We review your Power of Attorney to confirm it's correctly drafted for the jurisdiction where it will be used, and suitable for electronic notarisation.
Electronic execution — depending on your circumstances, this can be arranged by secure video call or in person at our London office.
Notarial certification — our Notary applies their signature and seal, followed by the Qualified Electronic Signature required for e-Apostille.
FCDO submission — we submit the certified digital document to the FCDO for e-Apostille.
Digital delivery — you receive your fully e-Apostilled Power of Attorney by secure email, ready to send to your attorney or the receiving institution abroad.
A Word of Caution: Check Destination Acceptance First
While Powers of Attorney are well suited to e-Apostille from our end, the receiving party matters just as much. Land registries, banks, and courts in some jurisdictions still require a physical, paper-based apostilled document for property or high-value transactions, even where the underlying Power of Attorney could technically be e-Apostilled. Before proceeding, we always recommend confirming with the receiving institution, notary, or lawyer in the destination country whether they will accept a digital apostille — this is especially important for property transactions in civil law jurisdictions such as Spain, France, Italy, or Portugal, where local registry practice can vary.
If in doubt, we can prepare your Power of Attorney for the traditional paper apostille route instead, so there's no risk of rejection at the receiving end.
Our Fees
£95 plus VAT — Standard service, 3 working days
£125 plus VAT — Urgent service, 1 working day
These fees cover the apostille element and include the FCDO's own fee. Notarisation of the Power of Attorney itself is charged separately, in line with our standard notarial fees.
Order Online
👉 Order your e-Apostille here: https://www.internationalnotary.co.uk/product-page/e-apostille-and-electronic-certification
For Power of Attorney matters, we recommend contacting us first so we can review your document and confirm the right route before you order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Power of Attorney be e-Apostilled?Yes. As a private document that our Notary certifies directly, a Power of Attorney is typically well suited to the e-Apostille route, provided the receiving country or institution will accept a digital apostille.
Will my bank or land registry abroad accept an e-Apostilled Power of Attorney?This depends entirely on the receiving institution. Some accept digital apostilles; others, particularly for property transactions, still require a physical paper original. We recommend confirming with the receiving party before choosing your route.
Do I need to visit your office in person to sign?Not necessarily. Depending on your circumstances, execution can sometimes be arranged by secure video call, though in-person notarisation remains available at our London office.
Is the notarial fee for the Power of Attorney included in the e-Apostille price?
No. The e-Apostille fee covers the apostille and FCDO legalisation step only. Notarisation of the Power of Attorney itself is charged as a separate notarial fee.
Contact Us
Staple Inn Notaries
Fox Court, Gray's Inn Road, Holborn, London
📞 020 3488 4195
About the Author
Sheikh Najam LLB TEP MA MBA is a Notary Public for England and Wales and CEO of Staple Inn Notaries, based in Central London. He is also a European Attorney and a STEP-qualified International Private Wealth Lawyer, and serves as Vice President for Notarial Affairs and an Advisory Board Member at Justinian Lawyers, the Berlin-headquartered international legal network of the Association of European Attorneys. Appointed by the Court of Faculties under Royal Authority and regulated through the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sheikh Najam advises on cross-border corporate, property, and private client matters across common law, civil law, and international jurisdictions.
Comments