📄 Power of attorney

Apostille for a Swiss power of attorney

Foreign employers, universities and registries routinely ask for an apostilled power of attorney. Here is exactly how it works for this document — and how we take the whole errand off your hands.

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Where this document comes from — and which chancellery

A power of attorney you write yourself is a private document, and private documents cannot be apostilled directly. A notary must first authenticate your signature; the apostille then certifies the notary, in the notary’s canton. The chain is short but the order is fixed — signature, notary, chancellery.

Original or certified copy?

Neither leaves your hands: a notary establishes a certified true copy from your uploaded PDF or photo, and the apostille is affixed to that copy — included in the price. If a destination exceptionally insists on the apostilled original, tell us and we organise it by registered mail.

Translation often required

An apostille authenticates, it does not translate. If the receiving authority also wants a certified translation of your power of attorney, mention it in the order notes — our partner network delivers both together.

The mistake that gets files refused

Signing before you know what the destination requires. Many countries insist on specific wording, a particular list of powers, or the presence of witnesses. Ask the receiving lawyer or authority for their model before you sign anything — redoing a power of attorney means redoing the notarisation and the apostille too.

Frequently asked questions

I am abroad and cannot come to a Swiss notary. Is there a route?
Yes, through a Swiss representation abroad, which can authenticate a signature. The document then follows a slightly different path — tell us where you are and we will explain what applies before you commit to anything.
Which countries accept an apostilled power of attorney?
All 130 Hague Convention Contracting Parties — from Germany to Brazil to China. For non-members (UAE, Qatar, Egypt…), the consular chain replaces the apostille; order normally and we quote the embassy stage first.
How long for a power of attorney?
Standard 1–2 business days from receipt, mostly the chancellery’s own turnaround. Same-day express doubles the service price and jumps every queue.
CHF 140 — Apostille — 1st document · CHF 120 — Apostille — from 2 documents · Prices →

Apostille for other documents

DiplomaBirth certificateMarriage certificateCriminal record extractCommercial register extractDivorce judgmentCertificate of civil statusNotarised documentSworn translationCertificate of residence

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