Power of Attorney for Use Abroad: Apostille and Certified Translation

Why a Standard Power of Attorney Is Not Enough for International Use

A power of attorney notarised in Uzbekistan carries full legal force within the country. However, foreign government bodies, banks, and private companies generally will not accept an overseas document at face value — they require independent confirmation that the notary's signature and seal are genuine. This is precisely what the apostille provides: a standardised authentication certificate recognised by all member states of the 1961 Hague Convention.

Beyond the apostille, the receiving party almost always requires a notarially certified translation of the document into the official language of the destination country. In practice, the complete package for using a power of attorney abroad typically consists of three elements: notarised power of attorney + apostille + certified translation.

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