How to Make a Power of Attorney (Step-by-Step Guide)

Key Takeaways

• A power of attorney is a legal document that lets you (the principal) authorize another person (the agent or attorney in fact) to handle your financial affairs, healthcare decisions, or both—and you can usually create one yourself in a single afternoon using a state-specific attorney form.
• You must be at least 18 years old and have full legal capacity (meaning you’re mentally competent) on the day you sign for the poa document to be valid.
• Choosing the right type of POA before you start is critical: decide between financial power vs. medical power, durable power vs. non durable, and general power vs. limited power based on your specific needs.
• Proper execution—signing in front of a notary public and/or witnesses as required by your state law—is what actually makes your POA legally effective. A document that isn’t properly signed is worthless.
• You can revoke and replace a POA at any time while you remain competent, but you must notify your agent and key financial institutions in writing to make the revocation effective.

What Is a Power of Attorney and How Does It Work?

A power of attorney is a written legal document that lets you (called the principal) authorize another person (called the agent or attorney in fact) to act on your behalf in specified matters. Despite the name, your agent doesn’t need to be a licensed attorney—they can be a spouse, adult child, trusted friend, or professional fiduciary.

POAs commonly cover two main areas: financial matters (such as managing bank accounts, paying bills, handling tax matters, and selling property) and healthcare decisions (such as consenting to medical care, choosing doctors, and making end-of-life choices). These are typically handled in separate documents. One crucial point to understand: a power of attorney does not continue after the principal dies. When the principal passes, the agent’s power immediately ends, and the executor named in the will takes over.

You must sign a POA voluntarily while of sound mind. If someone is already mentally incapacitated, they cannot create a valid POA—at that point, the only option is usually a court-supervised guardianship or conservatorship, which is far more expensive and time-consuming.

In the United States, most financial POAs are governed by state statutes. Many states have adopted versions of the Uniform Power of Attorney Act (UPOAA), which was revised in 2006 to address agent accountability and third-party acceptance issues. However, each state has made its own modifications, so requirements vary significantly.

Most states provide their own statutory POA forms, and using the correct state form dramatically increases the chances that banks, title companies, and courts will accept your document without pushback. For example, New York updated its Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney in 2021 with specific signing requirements and mandatory disclosure language. Using an outdated or generic template can lead to rejection when you need the POA most.

Step 1: Decide Which Type of Power of Attorney You Need

Before you download any poa form or start filling in blanks, you need to determine which type of POA matches your situation. Different types control when the POA takes effect, what decisions it covers, and whether it survives your incapacity.

General vs. Limited Power of Attorney

A general poa grants your agent broad powers to handle almost any legal power or financial decision you could make yourself—managing checking accounts and savings accounts, filing taxes, collecting debts, signing contracts, and dealing with real property transactions. This is useful when you want comprehensive coverage.

A limited power of attorney (sometimes called a “special” POA) restricts your agent’s authority to specific tasks or a specific date range. For instance, you might grant limited power solely to close on a house sale while you’re traveling abroad, with an expiration date built into the document.

Financial vs. Medical/Healthcare POA

Financial poa documents cover your principal’s financial affairs: bank accounts, retirement accounts, insurance policies, tax returns, government benefits, and other property matters.

Medical poa documents (also called healthcare proxy or healthcare agent designations in some states) cover healthcare decisions: consenting to surgery, choosing doctors, accessing medical records under HIPAA, and making decisions about life support or medical care.

Most estate planning documents include both types, but they’re typically separate forms. States like Texas and Massachusetts provide entirely different templates for financial and healthcare powers.

Durable vs. Non-Durable

This distinction is critical for anyone creating a POA as part of a plan ahead strategy for potential incapacity:

Type	When It Ends	Best For
Non durable POA	Terminates if you become mentally incapacitated	Short-term, specific tasks (like a real estate closing while traveling)
Durable poa	Continues even if you become incapacitated	Long-term planning for aging, illness, or unexpected disability

A basic power of attorney without durability language becomes useless precisely when you might need it most—if a stroke or dementia leaves you unable to manage your own affairs. A durable power of attorney includes specific language (such as “This power of attorney shall not be affected by subsequent disability or incapacity of the principal”) that keeps it effective through mental incapacity.

Springing Power of Attorney

A springing poa doesn’t take effect immediately. Instead, it “springs” into action only after a triggering event—typically the principal’s incapacity as confirmed by one or two licensed physicians in writing.

Springing POAs offer more control but come with practical drawbacks. During a crisis, your agent may face delays while obtaining the required physician certifications. Some states have moved away from springing POAs entirely. For example, Florida after 2011 generally requires POAs to be effective immediately rather than springing.

If you’re torn between a durable POA that’s effective immediately versus a springing POA, consider that most agents won’t actually use their powers unless needed. An immediate durable POA is often simpler to use in emergencies.

Step 2: Choose the Right Agent (Attorney-in-Fact)

Selecting a trustworthy agent is arguably the most important decision in the entire POA process. Your agent will have significant authority over your financial decisions, your safe deposit box contents, or even your medical decisions depending on the document type.

Who Can Serve as an Agent?

Any adult over 18 can serve as your agent. Common choices include:

• A spouse or domestic partner
• An adult child
• A sibling or other family member
• A long-term trusted friend
• A professional fiduciary or licensed attorney (for complex situations)

The agent doesn’t need any special credentials or training—just your trust and the willingness to take on the responsibility.

Qualities to Look For

When evaluating potential agents, consider:

• Reliability: Will they actually follow through when needed?
• Record-keeping ability: Can they maintain organized records of every transaction?
• Stress management: Can they handle difficult decisions under pressure?
• Willingness to follow instructions: Will they respect your wishes even if they personally disagree?
• Honesty and integrity: Do they have a track record of ethical behavior with money?

Geographic Considerations

While not a legal requirement in most states, geographic proximity matters practically. An agent who lives in the same state can more easily:

• Visit your bank in person if required
• Attend real estate closings
• Meet with financial advisors or tax professionals
• Respond quickly to time-sensitive situations

If your most trusted person lives far away, you might name them as primary agent while designating a local successor agent for situations requiring physical presence.

Naming Successor and Co-Agents

Most POA forms allow you to name successor agents who step in if your primary agent can’t serve (due to death, incapacity, or unwillingness). This is strongly recommended—you don’t want your POA to become useless if your one agent becomes unavailable.

Some states also permit co-agents (two agents serving simultaneously). If you choose this option, your document should specify whether they must act jointly (both signatures required for any action) or may act independently (either one co can act alone). Joint requirements can slow down urgent financial decisions and cause problems if one co-agent becomes unavailable.

Step 3: Decide What Powers to Grant (Scope of Authority)

You don’t have to give your agent unlimited authority. One of the advantages of a POA over court-supervised guardianship is that you control exactly which decisions your financial agent or healthcare agent can make.

Typical Financial Powers

For a financial poa, you can authorize your agent to handle a broad range of matters or limit them to specific categories:

• Banking: Managing checking accounts, savings accounts, and other bank accounts; depositing and withdrawing funds
• Bill payment: Authority to pay bills, including mortgage, rent, utilities, and insurance premiums
• Real estate: Buying, selling property, leasing, or refinancing real property
• Investments: Managing retirement accounts, brokerage accounts, and investment portfolios
• Taxes: Preparing and filing taxes (both federal taxes and state returns), working with a tax professional, and handling tax matters with the IRS
• Government benefits: Applying for or managing Social Security, Medicare, Veterans Affairs benefits, and other government benefits
• Business interests: Managing business operations if you’re a sole proprietor or partner
• Insurance: Managing insurance policies, filing claims, changing beneficiaries (if authorized)
• Safe deposit boxes: Accessing your safe deposit box at a bank
• Debt management: Paying debts, settling accounts, or negotiating with creditors

Healthcare/Medical Powers

For a medical poa or healthcare proxy, typical powers include:

• Consenting to or refusing medical procedures and surgery
• Choosing doctors, hospitals, and care facilities
• Accessing medical records under HIPAA
• Making decisions about life support, artificial nutrition, and palliative care
• Authorizing organ donation
• Arranging for home health care or nursing facility placement

“Hot Powers” Requiring Special Authorization

Some states require explicit, separate authorization for certain sensitive powers. For example:

• California (under the Probate Code) and New York (under its statutory POA) require specific initialing or signing for powers like making gifts, creating or modifying trusts, or changing beneficiary designations on retirement accounts or insurance policies
• Powers to make gifts above a certain annual limit (often tied to the federal gift tax exclusion)
• Authority to change the account owner on financial accounts

Writing Limitations Into Your POA

You can include specific restrictions directly in your attorney document. Examples include:

• Prohibiting the sale of a specific family home until at least 2030
• Capping annual gifts at $17,000 per recipient (or another specific dollar amount)
• Requiring the agent to obtain approval from a named advisor before selling real estate
• Limiting investment changes to conservative options only

These personalized advice provisions can prevent misunderstandings and protect assets you want to preserve.

Step 4: Get the Correct Power of Attorney Form

The fastest and safest route is to use a state-specific POA form rather than a generic template. Banks, title companies, and government agencies are far more likely to accept a document that matches their state’s statutory format.

Where to Find Official Forms

Reliable sources for current POA forms include:

• State court websites: Many states provide free downloadable forms (e.g., California Courts Self-Help Center)
• State bar association websites: Often offer approved forms or detailed guides (e.g., New York State Bar Association)
• State health department or aging services: Particularly for medical POA forms (e.g., Texas Health and Human Services)
• Reputable legal form providers: Services that update forms as laws change

Use the Most Current Version

Download the latest version of your state’s form as of the current year to ensure it reflects recent statutory changes and signing requirements. For example, New York’s statutory POA form was significantly updated in 2021 with new notice requirements—using an older version could cause problems.

Match the Form to Your Needs

Remember that different types of POA typically use different templates:

POA Type	Typical Form Name
Financial POA	Statutory Power of Attorney, Durable Power of Attorney for Finances
Medical/Healthcare POA	Healthcare Proxy, Medical Power of Attorney, Advance Healthcare Directive
Limited POA	Special Power of Attorney, Limited Power of Attorney for [specific purpose]

Select the specific form that matches the authority you decided on in Steps 1-3.

Multi-State Property Considerations

If you own real estate in more than one state—for instance, a primary residence in Florida and a cabin in Colorado—you may need to prepare separate POAs tailored to each state’s recording rules. Some states require specific language or formatting for POAs used in real property transactions, and county recorders may reject documents that don’t comply.

Step 5: Fill Out the Power of Attorney Form Accurately

Once you have the correct form, completing it accurately is essential. Errors or ambiguities can lead to rejection by financial institutions or disputes among interested parties.

Typical Sections of a Statutory POA

Most state poa forms include these sections:

1. Principal information: Your full legal name, current street address, date of birth, and contact information
2. Agent designation: Full legal name, address, and phone number of your primary agent
3. Successor agents: Same information for backup agents (if desired)
4. Powers granted: Checkboxes, initialing lines, or sections to select which powers you’re granting
5. Special instructions: Space for limitations or specific directions
6. Durability clause: Language making the POA survive your incapacity (if desired)
7. Signature blocks: Spaces for your signature, date, witnesses, and notary acknowledgment

Entering Names and Addresses

Use full legal names exactly as they appear on government IDs and financial accounts. For example, use “Robert James Smith” rather than “Bob Smith” or “R.J. Smith.” Include complete current street addresses—P.O. boxes alone may cause problems.

Enter accurate phone numbers and email addresses for the principal and each agent to avoid delays in verification.

Indicating Which Powers Are Granted

Different state forms handle power selection differently:

• Checkbox forms: Check only the boxes for powers you want to grant
• Initial-line forms: Initial next to each category you’re authorizing
• Cross-out forms: Cross out sections you don’t want to include

Read the form instructions carefully. Some states require you to initial a section to grant the power, while others require you to cross it out to exclude it. Getting this backward can grant powers you didn’t intend or omit ones you wanted.

Durability Language

The durability clause often appears as a single sentence, such as:

“This power of attorney shall not be affected by subsequent disability or incapacity of the principal.”

On many forms, you must initial this line or choose not to cross it out to make the POA durable. If you want a non durable POA (one that ends upon incapacity), you would cross out or not initial this language.

Review Before Signing

Before moving to execution, review the completed draft with:

• Your chosen agent (so they understand their responsibilities)
• An estate planning attorney (if available, especially for complex situations)
• Any other interested parties who should understand your wishes

This step prevents misunderstandings and ensures the agent’s power is clear to everyone.

Step 6: Sign and Execute the POA According to State Law

A POA becomes a valid poa only after it’s signed in the manner your state law requires. An improperly executed document is legally worthless—no matter how carefully you filled it out.

State-Specific Signing Requirements

Signing requirements vary significantly by state and by POA type:

State Example	Financial POA	Medical POA
Texas	Notarization required	Two witnesses required
Ohio	Notarization required	Notarization or two witnesses
Florida	Notarization + two witnesses	Two witnesses (one cannot be a relative)
California	Notarization required for durability	Two witnesses or notary
New York	Notarization required + agent acknowledgment	Two witnesses

These are examples only—verify your state’s current requirements before signing.

The Signing Process Step-by-Step

1. Gather required parties: Notary public, witnesses (if required), and your agent (for states requiring agent acknowledgment)
2. Bring identification: Government-issued photo ID for yourself and all parties signing
3. Use proper ink: Sign in blue or black ink with the same name used throughout the document
4. Complete all sections: Ensure the notary and witnesses complete their sections on the same date
5. Obtain certified copies: Some notaries can provide certified copies immediately

Remote Online Notarization

Some states now allow remote online notarization (RON), where the principal appears via secure video call with an electronic copy of the document. This option expanded significantly after 2020, but as of 2025, approximately 30 states fully recognize electronic notarization.

Check whether your state accepts RON for POAs and whether the financial institutions you’ll be dealing with will accept remotely notarized documents. Some banks still prefer traditional in-person notarization.

Recording Requirements for Real Estate

Most POAs don’t need to be filed with any court or government office. However, if the POA will be used to transfer, mortgage, or encumber real property, it typically must be recorded with the county recorder’s office where the property is located.

Recording requirements vary—some states require the original document, while others accept certified copies. In Texas, POAs must be recorded with the county court where the principal resides or holds property. Check with your local recorder’s office before a real estate transaction.

Step 7: Distribute Copies and Store the Original Safely

The original signed POA is a valuable legal document that should be treated like a will or deed. However, practical use typically requires multiple copies distributed to the right people and institutions.

Who Should Receive Copies

Provide signed copies to:

• Each active agent and successor agent (so they can act when needed)
• Primary bank and financial institutions where you have accounts
• Investment advisors and brokers managing your retirement accounts
• For medical POAs: Primary care physician, local hospital, and any specialists providing ongoing care
• Estate planning attorney (if you have one)
• Accountant or tax professional who handles your filing taxes

Storing the Original

Keep the original signed POA in a secure but accessible location:

• A fire-resistant home safe
• A safe deposit box (but ensure your agent can access it—some states require specific provisions for this)
• Your attorney’s office

At least one trusted person must know exactly where the original is stored. A POA does no good if no one can find it during a crisis.

Creating Digital Backups

Scan the executed document and save it as a clear PDF. Use descriptive file names that include the date, such as:

Smith_Durable_Financial_POA_Executed_2026-03-10.pdf

Store digital copies in:

• A secure cloud account (with strong passwords and two-factor authentication)
• An encrypted external drive
• A password-protected folder shared with your agent

Institutional Requirements

Be aware that some banks and hospitals may insist on seeing an original or a certified copy rather than a photocopy. Before a crisis occurs, contact your primary financial institutions and healthcare providers to ask:

• What form of POA they prefer or require
• Whether they have their own internal POA form they want signed in addition
• What identification they’ll require from your agent

This proactive step can prevent frustrating delays when your agent actually needs to act.

Step 8: Review and Update Your Power of Attorney Over Time

A POA isn’t a “set it and forget it” document. Life changes, laws change, and your wishes may evolve. Regular review ensures your POA still reflects your intentions.

When to Review Your POA

Review and potentially update your POA after:

• Marriage or divorce: You may want to add or remove a spouse as agent
• Birth or adoption of children: New potential successor agents
• Death of your named agent: You need a new primary agent
• Relocation to a new state: Local form may work better
• New diagnosis affecting capacity: Ensures documents are in place before progression
• Major changes in assets: New businesses, properties, or accounts may need coverage
• Family conflicts: Changed relationships may affect who you trust as agent

Updating vs. Amending

Most states do not allow handwritten edits directly on an executed POA. Crossing out sections or writing in changes typically invalidates the document or creates ambiguity.

Instead, the proper process is:

1. Draft and sign a new, complete POA
2. Include language in the new document revoking all prior POAs
3. Sign a separate Revocation of Power of Attorney if your state recommends it
4. Notify your former agent and all institutions that had copies of the old document

Regular Review Schedule

Even without major life events, plan to review your POA at least every 3-5 years. State laws change, statutory forms get updated, and banks may become more accepting of newer versions. A POA from 2015 may still be technically valid, but institutions might question or reject it in 2030.

Handling Old Versions

When you execute a new POA:

• Destroy all unsigned copies of the old version
• Mark older signed versions as “REVOKED” with the revocation date
• Send written notice to agents, banks, and other institutions that relied on the prior POA
• Retain one marked copy of the old POA for your records (in case questions arise about past transactions)

Moving to a New State

If you relocate permanently to another state—for example, from Illinois to Arizona—consider executing a fresh POA using your new state’s recommended form. While a POA from your former state is often still legally valid under “full faith and credit” principles, local banks, title companies, and courts may be more comfortable with a familiar local format.

Limits on What an Agent Can Do Under a Power of Attorney

Even a broadly written POA does not give your agent unlimited power. They must act as a fiduciary—meaning they’re legally obligated to put your best interests ahead of their own.

Fiduciary Duties

Every agent under a POA owes the principal specific duties:

• Loyalty: Acting in the principal’s best interests, not their own
• Care: Using reasonable skill and diligence in managing affairs
• Obedience: Following the instructions in the POA and the principal’s known wishes
• Accounting: Keeping accurate records of all transactions
• Separation of funds: Never mixing the principal’s money with their own

Violating these duties can result in personal liability, court-ordered accountings, removal as agent, and even criminal charges for financial abuse.

Actions That Usually Require Express Authorization

Unless specifically authorized in the POA, agents typically cannot:

• Make substantial gifts to themselves or others
• Change beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance, or payable-on-death accounts
• Create or modify trusts
• Delegate their authority to someone else
• Make or change the principal’s will
• Vote on behalf of the principal in elections

States like California and New York require specific initialing or separate acknowledgment for many of these “hot powers.”

Court Oversight

While POAs generally operate without court supervision, other interested parties can petition a court to:

• Review the agent’s conduct and require an accounting
• Remove an agent for misconduct or breach of duty
• Interpret ambiguous POA language
• Appoint a guardian or conservator if the agent is abusing their position

Family disputes often prompt these court interventions. According to legal estimates, improper POA use leads to approximately 15% of guardianship petitions annually.

Building In Your Own Limits

To protect against potential abuse, consider adding specific restrictions to your POA. If your legal documents require international use, you may also need to learn about the Apostille process for FBI background checks.

• Forbidding the sale of specific business interests
• Capping annual gifts at a specific dollar amount per recipient
• Requiring a third party’s approval for transactions above a certain value
• Prohibiting investments in certain categories

These provisions don’t guarantee compliance, but they provide clear grounds for legal action if violated. For those dealing with Power of Attorney documents abroad, understanding these legal bases is especially important.

State-Specific Rules to Watch For

Every U.S. state and territory has its own statutes defining who can sign a POA, what language is required, and what formalities make it valid. There’s no single “national” POA form.

Common Variations

Check your state’s current law (using the most recent state code version) for requirements such as:

• Witness requirements: Number of witnesses, who can serve, and whether they must be present simultaneously
• Notarization: Whether a notary acknowledgment is required or optional
• Specific language: Some states require exact statutory wording for the POA to be valid
• Separate initialing: Many states require initialing or separate signing for certain powers (like gifting)
• Notice provisions: Some states require the principal to sign a separate notice acknowledging they understand the document’s implications

Examples of State Quirks

• North Carolina and Pennsylvania: Require separate acknowledgment sections with specific language
• New York: Requires the agent to also sign an acknowledgment before a notary
• Florida (post-2011): Generally requires immediate-effect POAs rather than springing versions
• Texas: Requires recording with the county clerk for real property transactions
• Some states: May require translated versions if the principal doesn’t read English well

Cross-Border Recognition

A POA created in one state is often honored in another under “full faith and credit” principles. However, certain circumstances may cause problems:

• Out-of-state title companies may insist on a local form for real estate closings
• Some banks have internal policies requiring their own forms regardless of state law
• Language or formatting differences may raise questions

For situations involving large estates, multiple properties in different states, or sensitive family dynamics, consulting a licensed attorney in your home state is strongly recommended.

How to Revoke a Power of Attorney

As long as you remain mentally competent, you can revoke a POA at any time, with or without giving a reason. The principal revokes the document—no court approval is needed.

Steps to Revoke a POA

1. Prepare a Revocation document: Write a short “Revocation of Power of Attorney” that identifies the specific POA being revoked (by date and agent name) and states clearly that you revoke all authority granted
2. Sign the Revocation: Sign in front of a notary public if your state requires it or if institutions may request notarization
3. Notify your agent: Provide written notice to your former agent that their authority has ended
4. Notify third parties: Send written revocation notices (with a copy of the Revocation attached) to all banks, brokers, healthcare providers, and other institutions that have copies of the old POA
5. Retrieve old copies: Request that institutions destroy their copies of the old POA and acknowledge receipt of the revocation

Automatic Revocation in New POAs

Many POA forms include language stating that signing this POA revokes all prior POAs for the same subject matter (financial or healthcare). However, relying solely on this language is risky—institutions may not know about the new POA unless you tell them.

Always send written notices to agents and institutions when you execute a new POA, even if it contains automatic revocation language.

What Ends a POA Automatically

All POAs—including durable ones—terminate automatically when:

• The principal dies (when the principal passes, the executor takes over)
• The POA contains an expiration date that has passed
• The purpose of a limited POA has been completed
• A court revokes the agent’s authority
• The sole agent dies, becomes incapacitated, or resigns (unless successor agents are named)

For non durable POAs, the document also ends when the principal becomes mentally incapacitated.

Frequently Asked Questions About Making a Power of Attorney

Can I create a power of attorney without hiring a lawyer?

In many straightforward situations—such as appointing a spouse as your financial agent using your state’s official statutory form—adults can complete a POA on their own without an attorney. You should follow state instructions exactly and ensure proper execution with witnesses and/or notarization.

However, consider hiring an attorney if you need help with international document legalization—such as those involving apostille services. For businesses, you can compare top apostille translation services to find the best solutions for accuracy and efficiency.

• Own a business or have complex assets
• Own property in multiple states
• Anticipate family conflicts or disputes
• Want to include unusual restrictions or conditions
• Are unsure about which powers to grant or withhold

An estate planning attorney typically charges between $200-$500 for a POA as part of a broader estate plan, which is far less than the cost of a guardianship proceeding (averaging $3,000-$5,000 initially and ongoing fees).

What happens if my bank refuses to honor my power of attorney?

Banks occasionally reject POAs, especially older documents or those from other states. If your power of attorney or other legal documents like marriage certificates require international recognition, consider learning about the importance of obtaining an apostille stamp for marriage certificates. If this happens:

1. Ask the bank to state their objections in writing
2. Provide a more recent or state-specific form if they’ll accept one
3. Check whether your state has laws penalizing unreasonable refusal (many states adopted provisions under the UPOAA)
4. Escalate to branch management or the bank’s legal department
5. Consult a local attorney who can send a demand letter or seek court intervention

Some banks insist on using their own internal POA forms in addition to your statutory form. Completing their form in advance can prevent delays.

Does my agent get paid for acting under a power of attorney?

Agents are generally entitled to reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred while acting on your behalf—such as mileage, postage, copying costs, and bank fees.

Whether an agent receives compensation beyond expenses depends on:

• The POA language (you can authorize compensation at a specific rate)
• State law (some states allow “reasonable compensation” even if the POA is silent)
• Agreement between principal and agent

Many family member agents waive formal fees in simple, short-term situations. Professional fiduciaries typically charge hourly rates or a percentage of assets managed.

Can I name more than one agent at the same time?

Yes, many states allow you to designate co-agents. Your POA should specify whether they:

• Must act jointly: Both signatures required for every transaction (provides checks and balances but can cause delays)
• May act independently: Either agent can act alone (more practical but less oversight)

Joint signature requirements can become problematic if one co-agent is traveling, becomes ill, or is simply difficult to reach. Consider whether the added protection is worth the potential inconvenience.

Is a power of attorney made in another country valid in the United States?

Recognition of foreign POAs depends on state law and institutional policies. Generally, you should expect to:

1. Have the document professionally translated into English
2. Have it authenticated with an apostille (for countries that are party to the Hague Convention) or consular certification
3. Potentially have it re-notarized or acknowledged by a U.S. notary
4. Provide additional identification documents

Even with proper authentication, some U.S. banks and title companies may still refuse foreign POAs or require execution of a new, local attorney options form. Cross-border situations should be reviewed with attorneys familiar with both jurisdictions.