Apostille Checklist for Real Estate Documents Used Abroad

Why Real Estate Documents Often Require Apostilles

When you’re involved in buying, selling, inheriting, or financing property abroad, foreign authorities will likely require your documents to be legally recognized. That means authenticating them through an apostille or embassy legalization, depending on the destination country.

If you're dealing with a Hague Convention member country like Portugal, an apostille is sufficient. If you're working with a non-Hague country like UAE (United Arab Emirates), your documents will require full embassy legalization.

Common Real Estate Situations That Require Apostilles

• Selling inherited property overseas

• Buying land or a home abroad

• Granting Power of Attorney to an overseas agent or relative

• Transferring title for a cross-border inheritance

• Refinancing or mortgaging property for international use

• Verifying residency or identity in a foreign real estate deal

✅ Real Estate Documents

Here’s a list of real estate documents commonly requiring authentication for international use:

• Power of Attorney (POA): Must be notarized first. Vital for authorizing agents abroad.

• Deed of Sale / Title Deed: Often needs county clerk certification before apostille.

• Property Ownership Affidavit: Usually notarized and signed under penalty of perjury.

• Real Estate Contracts: Ensure contract is final and signed before apostille.

• Inheritance or Probate Orders: Must include court certification.

• Notarized Letters or Statements: Used to declare ownership, payment, or authorization.

How to Prepare Your Documents

1. Confirm the Destination Country
   Check whether the country where the document will be used is part of the Hague Convention.

2. Have Documents Notarized (If Required)
   Many real estate documents, like POAs or affidavits, must be notarized before apostille.

3. Get County or State Certification (if needed)
   Some deeds require local clerk certification before apostille can be issued.

4. Submit for Apostille or Embassy Legalization
   We’ll handle the correct process based on the destination country and document type.

5. Include a Certified Translation (if requested)
   If the receiving country doesn’t use English, we can provide certified or sworn translations.

Why Work With Us?

Porchlight Group Apostille & Global Documents specialize in helping U.S.-based and international real estate professionals, attorneys, and individuals process time-sensitive documents quickly and correctly. Our team ensures your real estate paperwork is legally recognized abroad with:

• Fast turnaround times

• Remote-friendly processing

• Guidance for all 50 states

• Support for both Hague and non-Hague countries

• Optional certified translation services

Make Sure Your Real Estate Deal Doesn’t Fall Through

Foreign real estate transactions come with tight deadlines and strict compliance rules. Using the wrong version of a document, or skipping the apostille altogether, can lead to costly delays or cancellations.

Let us help you get it right the first time.

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