At Notary of Lewis Center, we help individuals and families prepare, notarize, and apostille power of attorney documents for use in another country. Whether you're granting authority over property, banking, or family matters overseas, we make sure your POA is done right the first time.
As an Ohio-commissioned notary, we notarize your document and submit it to the Ohio Secretary of State for the apostille — with in-person service in Central Ohio and mail-in service available nationwide and worldwide.
What Is a Power of Attorney Apostille?
A power of attorney (POA) lets you authorize someone else to act on your behalf. When that POA will be used in another country, it typically must be notarized and then apostilled. An apostille is a certificate that verifies the notary's signature so the document is legally recognized in Hague Apostille Convention countries. For a POA notarized in Ohio, the apostille is issued by the Ohio Secretary of State. If your destination country is not part of the Hague Convention, the document instead needs authentication plus embassy or consulate legalization — and we'll help you identify the correct path.
How it works
The POA Apostille Process, Step by Step
From first review to a finished document ready to send abroad — here's exactly how we handle your power of attorney.
1
Document Review
We confirm your POA is drafted and formatted correctly for its destination country.
2
Notarization
We notarize your POA in person or by remote online notarization where eligible..
3
Apostille Submission
We submit the notarized document to the Ohio Secretary of State for the apostille.
4
IF NEED
Legalization
For non-Hague countries, we guide you through the additional embassy or consulate step.
5
Return
You receive your completed, apostilled POA ready to send abroad.
In-person in Central Ohio · nationwide mail-in
Power of Attorney Documents We Handle
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General Power of Attorney (GPA)
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Special / Specific Power of Attorney (SPA)
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Durable Power of Attorney
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POA for India and other countries
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Property, banking, and financial POA
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Affidavits, declarations, and consent letters
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Other notarized personal documents
Situations We Help With
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A U.S. citizen in Ohio needed to authorize a family member in India to sell inherited property. We notarized the power of attorney, had it apostilled by the Ohio Secretary of State, and prepared it for attestation by the Indian Embassy so it would be accepted for the property transaction in India.
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A client establishing residency abroad needed a durable power of attorney so their attorney could manage their affairs, appear on their behalf, and file the required documents while they were overseas. We completed the notarization and apostille before their move.
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A parent needed a notarized consent and power of attorney so a grandparent overseas could handle their minor child's paperwork. We prepared and apostilled the documents on time.
Power of Attorney for India — Requirements & Attestation
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Power of attorney and affidavit documents for India follow a specific process set by the Indian Embassy and VFS Global. We help you prepare each document correctly so it isn't rejected or sent back. Here's what's typically required:
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Signature match — Your signature on the PoA or affidavit must match the signature in your current valid passport. If it differs, the Embassy sends the document back to be re-signed.
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Photograph — A passport-size photo (white background) is affixed to the last page of the PoA, following the Embassy's photo specifications.
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Two witnesses — The PoA must be signed and witnessed by two people who are not immediate family members, with their full names and addresses clearly stated.
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Notarization — After signing, witnessing, and affixing the photo, the document is notarized. We handle this step for you.
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Apostille (non-Indian nationals) — U.S. citizens and other non-Indian nationals must have the PoA apostilled by the Secretary of State of the state where they reside before the Embassy will attest it. OCI and PIO card holders do not need an apostille.
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Embassy attestation — After the apostille, the Indian mission attests the document for use in India.
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Supporting documents usually required (notarized copies):
- Copy of OCI or PIO card (first and last page), for card holders
- Copy of current passport (bio-page and signature page)
- Copy of valid U.S. legal status / visa
- Copy of proof of U.S. address (driver's license, utility bill, lease, state ID, or mortgage deed)
- A judicial order of guardianship, if the executor is acting for someone mentally incapacitated
Why Choose Our POA Apostille Services
✔ Ohio-commissioned notary — notarization and apostille handled together
✔ Experience with POA for India and other countries
✔ In-person service in Central Ohio plus nationwide mail-in
✔ Clear guidance on Hague vs. non-Hague country requirements
✔ Fast, accurate turnaround with status updates
Serving Ohio & Clients Worldwide
We serve Lewis Center, Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, Powell, Delaware, and all of Central Ohio, plus clients across the U.S. and abroad through mail-in service. If you can't visit in person, we make the process work by mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need to notarize my POA before the apostille?
Yes — the POA is notarized first, and the apostille certifies that notarization.
2. Can you apostille a POA for use in India?
Yes. India is a Hague member, so an Ohio-notarized POA can be apostilled by the Ohio Secretary of State.
3. What if my country isn't in the Hague Convention?
Then it needs authentication plus embassy or consulate legalization — we'll walk you through it.
4. Can you notarize my POA remotely?
Often yes, through remote online notarization when eligible.
5. Can you draft the POA for me?
No — as a notary, we can't draft your power of attorney or provide legal advice. You can prepare it yourself or have an attorney draft it, and we'll handle the notarization and apostille. The Indian Embassy doesn't require a specific format, so a PoA on plain paper is generally acceptable for India-related matters.
Ready to get your power of attorney apostilled?