If you live in the United States and need a power of attorney to manage something in Spain, you're in luck: it's one of the easiest procedures to resolve remotely. With Notaría Online, you can process it via videocall in 24-48 hours, with full legal validity throughout Spain, without having to travel to any consulate or take a transatlantic flight.
Can you execute a Spanish power of attorney from the U.S.?
Yes. The Law 11/2023 on notarial digitalization enables the Spanish notary to authorize public deeds with the signatory appearing via videoconference from any country, including the United States. The result is a Spanish public deed with full legal validity.
Time difference: how we coordinate the videocall
The time difference between Spain and the U.S. varies depending on the zone:
- East Coast (ET): Spain is 6 hours ahead (5 in summer). A meeting at 9:00 a.m. in Spain is 3:00-4:00 a.m. in New York. That's why we usually schedule for 2:00-5:00 p.m. Spanish time, which is between 8:00-11:00 a.m. on the East Coast.
- West Coast (PT): Spain is 9 hours ahead (8 in summer). We schedule the meeting for 5:00-6:00 p.m. Spanish time, which is 8:00-10:00 a.m. in California.
Our team coordinates the appointment adapting to your time zone. Simply tell us which state you live in and what times you are available.
Do I need an apostille for the power of attorney?
No, if the power of attorney is granted before a Spanish notary via videoconference. As it is already a Spanish notarial document, it circulates directly in Spain without the need for apostille or legalization. The United States and Spain are both signatories to the Hague Convention, but the apostille is only required for documents issued in the U.S. that are to be used in Spain, not the other way around.
Step-by-step process
- Request: Send us a message with the procedure you need (sell a property, inheritance, bank...) and the details of the attorney-in-fact in Spain.
- Draft: We send you the draft of the power of attorney for prior review.
- Videocall: The notary connects with you at the agreed time. You only need a computer or mobile with a camera and good connection.
- Authorization: The notary verifies your Spanish ID/passport on camera, reads the document, and authorizes the public deed.
- Shipping: The original is sent to you via FedEx or DHL to your address in the U.S. in 3-5 business days, or directly to whoever will use it in Spain.
Can I use my American passport for the power of attorney?
If you have dual nationality (Spanish and American), you must identify yourself with your Spanish ID or Spanish passport to grant a power of attorney before a Spanish notary. The American passport is not valid as an identification document in a Spanish notary office.
Alternative: American notary with apostille
Another option is to grant the power of attorney before an American notary public, apostillize it in the corresponding state, and send it to Spain. However, this process usually takes longer (the apostille in the U.S. can take from days to weeks depending on the state), is more expensive, and the document may raise doubts in some Spanish registries that prefer Spanish notarial documents. The videocall with Notaría Online is faster and more secure.
How much does it cost?
The cost of a Spanish power of attorney from the U.S. with Notaría Online is:
- Special power of attorney (e.g., to sell a property): request a personalized quote without obligation
- General power of attorney: request a quote — it depends on the scope of the power
- Shipping to the U.S.: DHL/FedEx, approximately 50-70€
Compare with the cost of a Madrid-New York flight (500-1,500€ depending on the season) and the travel time. The videocall is the obvious solution.