New Power Of Attorney Rule Affecting Apostille And Legalization Process

At a Glance

Based on recent cases, the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now requiring Powers of Attorney signed abroad to be authenticated by a Venezuelan consulate, despite Venezuela being part of the Hague Convention. Apostilled Powers of Attorney without an authentication from a Venezuelan consulate are not being accepted. Individuals who are outside Venezuela and need to apostille or legalize documents in Venezuela through a local third-party representative must personally appear at a Venezuelan consulate to sign the Power of Attorney and have it authenticated. Affected applicants may need to travel outside of their country of residence to complete this process, as numerous countries do not currently have active Venezuelan consulates. The situation

Based on recent cases, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Venezuela is no longer allowing third parties to file and collect documents for apostille or legalization if the Power of Attorney authorizing those documents is not authenticated by a Venezuelan consulate. Previously, the Ministry accepted apostilled Powers of Attorney with document requests.

Impact

Applicants may need to travel. Individuals who are outside Venezuela and need to apostille or legalize documents in Venezuela through a local third-party representative may need to travel to the nearest Venezuelan consulate to sign the Power of Attorney and have it authenticated in person, incurring additional costs and time. Delays in obtaining immigration documents. Immigration processes in countries outside Venezuela that require apostilled Venezuelan documents may be delayed due...