Power of Attorney for Use Abroad: Apostille and Certified Translation

A notarised power of attorney issued in Uzbekistan is not automatically valid overseas. Learn what an apostille is, why you need a certified translation, and how to prepare a document package that foreign institutions will actually accept.

Key points to keep in mind:

• The apostille authenticates the notary's signature — it does not validate the content of the document.
• The translation must be certified by a notary — an uncertified translator's copy will not be accepted.
• The procedure for obtaining an apostille in Uzbekistan is regulated by law; confirm the current competent authority at the time of your application.
• If the destination country is not a member of the Hague Convention, consular legalisation will be required — a more time-consuming process.

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Step-by-Step Process

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What to Bring to the Notary

To make the appointment efficient and avoid unnecessary return visits, I recommend preparing the following in advance:

• The principal's passport (original).
• Full details of the attorney-in-fact — complete legal name, date of birth, residential address, and identity document details (if the representative is a foreign national, clarify the required format for rendering their name).
• A clear description of the powers being granted: what exactly the representative is authorised to do (sell property, sign contracts, appear before courts, manage bank accounts, etc.).
• The name of the country and institution where the document will be used — this affects the wording and the choice of translation language.
• If the power of attorney is issued on behalf of a legal entity — the company's constitutional documents and evidence of the signatory's authority.

In my practice, I regularly see clients arrive with nothing more than a vague request to