New YorkPower of Attorney2-Step Process

New York Power of Attorney Apostille — 2026 Complete Guide

Updated November 2025 — Valid for 2026 • Verified: January 8, 2026

Total Cost

$15–$20

County Clerk + DoS

Processing Time

2–4 weeks

Mail / same-day walk-in

Walk-in Service

Albany/NYC

Same/next-day available

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Table of Contents

What this guide covers

If you need to use a New York Power of Attorney (POA) abroad — for international real estate transactions, managing overseas business, healthcare decisions, or financial matters — most countries require an apostille to verify the document's authenticity.

New York follows a two-step process for apostilling notarized documents like POA:

County Clerk Authentication: The County Clerk where your notary is registered verifies the notary's signature and seal.
NY Department of State Apostille: The DoS then authenticates the County Clerk's signature and attaches the apostille certificate.

Why does New York require two steps?

Understanding the Chain of Authentication

New York notaries are registered at the county level, not the state level. The NY Department of State doesn't have direct records of every notary's signature, so they require an intermediate step:

Step 1 — County Clerk: Confirms the notary is registered and their signature matches county records.
Step 2 — NY DoS: Confirms the County Clerk's signature and issues the final apostille.

This creates an unbroken "chain of custody" that foreign governments can trust.

Step-by-step: How to apostille your NY Power of Attorney

Draft and notarize your Power of Attorney

Have your POA document prepared by an attorney or use a New York-compliant template (General Power of Attorney Act §5-1501 et seq. or Healthcare Proxy).
Sign it in front of a New York notary public. The notary will affix their signature, seal, and commission information.
Remote Online Notarization (RON): Accepted in NY since 2023. Ensure the notary is registered in New York.

Get County Clerk authentication

Submit your notarized POA to the County Clerk in the county where your notary is registered.

Required items:

• Original notarized POA
• County Clerk authentication fee ($5–$10, varies by county)
• Self-addressed stamped envelope (if mailing)

NYC Example: New York County Clerk office is at 60 Centre Street, Room 161. Fee: $5 per certification. Most counties process same-day or within 1–3 business days.

Find your county clerk office at: NYCourts.gov County Clerk Directory

Prepare your NY Department of State apostille packet

Required items:

• County Clerk authenticated POA (original with authentication certificate attached)
• Form DOS-1917-f (Apostille/Certificate of Authentication Request)
• $10 per document (check/money order payable to "NYS Department of State")
• Prepaid return envelope (UPS, FedEx, or USPS with tracking recommended)

Pro tip: Include destination country on DOS-1917-f form to ensure proper apostille formatting for your specific country.

Submit to NY Department of State

Mail (USPS, UPS, FedEx):

Apostille/Certificate Unit
NYS Department of State
One Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12231-0001

OR PO Box:
PO Box 22001
Albany, NY 12201-2001

Processing time: 2–3 weeks

Walk-in (same/next-day service):

Albany Customer Service Center

One Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231

Hours: Mon–Fri, 9 AM – 4:30 PM

NYC Customer Service Center

123 William Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10038

Hours: Mon–Fri, 9 AM – 4:30 PM

Same-day service available if you arrive before 2 PM. Bring exact change or check.

Receive your apostilled Power of Attorney

The NY Department of State will attach a stamped apostille certificate to your County Clerk authenticated POA. Your document is now ready for international use in any Hague Convention country.

Types of Power of Attorney accepted

General POA

Broad authority over financial, legal, and personal matters. Often used for international real estate.

Durable POA

Remains valid even if the principal becomes incapacitated. Common for estate planning abroad.

Financial POA

Limited to financial transactions like banking, investments, and tax matters overseas.

Healthcare Proxy / POA

Authorizes medical decisions. Required for international healthcare or elder care arrangements.

Real Estate POA

Specific to property transactions. Most commonly apostilled for overseas property sales/purchases.

Limited / Special POA

Grants authority for specific actions only, such as signing a single contract or managing one account.

Any properly notarized New York POA can be apostilled. The apostille verifies the notary's signature, not the content or legal validity of the POA itself.

Processing times & fees (summary)

Step	Agency	Fee	Processing Time
1. Notarization	NY Notary Public or RON provider	$2–$50 (varies)	Same day
2. County Clerk Auth	County Clerk (where notary registered)	$5–$10 per cert	Same day or 1–3 business days
3. Apostille	NY Department of State	$10 per document	2–3 weeks mail / same-day walk-in
Total Estimated		$17–$70	2–4 weeks (mail) or 1–2 days (walk-in)

Real-world examples & use cases

Buying property in Italy

Maria needs to authorize her brother in Milan to purchase an apartment on her behalf. She creates a NY Real Estate POA, gets it notarized in Manhattan, authenticates it at NY County Clerk, then apostilles it at NY DoS for use in Italy.

Managing business operations in Spain

John's company has a Barcelona office. He drafts a Financial POA authorizing his Spanish CFO to sign contracts and manage bank accounts. After notarization and the two-step apostille process, the POA is accepted by Spanish banks and government agencies.

Healthcare decisions for elderly parent in France

Sophie's mother moved to Paris for retirement. Sophie obtains a Healthcare Proxy (Healthcare POA) to make medical decisions remotely. After NY apostille, French hospitals recognize her authority to consent to treatments.

International adoption from Poland

A Brooklyn couple adopting from Poland needs apostilled POA documents granting their Polish attorney authority to represent them in court proceedings. NY DoS apostille ensures Polish courts accept the documents.

Common rejection reasons & how to avoid them

Top reasons NY DoS rejects POA apostille requests

❌ Missing County Clerk authentication certificate (most common error)
❌ Notary not registered in the county where authentication was requested
❌ Notary seal or signature illegible or incomplete
❌ County Clerk certificate not signed/sealed properly
❌ Incorrect payment amount or missing check/money order
❌ No prepaid return envelope included (mail submissions)
❌ POA document is a photocopy, not the original notarized document

Best practices

✓ Always verify notary's county of registration before requesting County Clerk auth
✓ Ensure County Clerk certificate is firmly attached to the notarized POA
✓ Double-check form DOS-1917-f is completely filled out
✓ Use tracking for mail submissions (USPS Certified, FedEx, UPS)

Still have questions about your NY POA apostille?

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Frequently asked questions

Can I skip the County Clerk authentication step?▼

No. New York requires County Clerk authentication before the Department of State can issue an apostille for notarized documents like Power of Attorney.

What is the total cost to apostille a NY Power of Attorney?▼

Total cost is typically $15–$20: County Clerk authentication ($5–$10, varies by county) + NY Department of State apostille ($10). Add notary fees ($2–$50) if not yet notarized.

Can I use Remote Online Notarization (RON) for my POA?▼

Yes. New York accepts RON-notarized POA documents since 2023. The RON notary must be registered in New York, and you still need County Clerk authentication + DoS apostille.

How long does the entire process take?▼

County Clerk: same-day or 1–3 business days. NY DoS: 2–3 weeks by mail, same/next-day walk-in at Albany or NYC offices. Total: 2–4 weeks by mail, 1–2 days if you walk-in at both steps.

Which types of POA can be apostilled?▼

Any properly notarized NY POA: General, Durable, Financial, Healthcare, Real Estate, or Limited. The notarization signature is what gets apostilled, not the POA content itself.

What if my destination country isn't a Hague Convention member?▼

Non-Hague countries require authentication + consular legalization instead of an apostille. Contact the destination country's consulate in the U.S. for requirements after obtaining NY DoS authentication.

Can someone else submit the documents for me?▼

Yes. You can authorize a representative, courier service, or attorney to submit documents on your behalf at County Clerk or NY DoS offices. No special authorization letter is required.

Do I need to translate my POA before apostilling?▼

No. Apostille the English original first. After apostille, you can have it translated by a certified translator in the destination country. Some countries require the translation to also be notarized and apostilled.

How long is an apostilled POA valid?▼

The apostille itself doesn't expire. However, some countries impose time limits (e.g., 6 months, 1 year) on POA documents. Check with the foreign authority accepting your POA for specific validity requirements.

Review Log — Amelia Rivera

Reviewed by: Amelia Rivera — Compliance Editor, Apostille Pro USA

Updated: November 2025 — Valid for 2026

Change Summary: Confirmed two-step New York process: County Clerk authentication required before NY DoS apostille. Verified County Clerk fees vary by county ($5–$10), NY DoS apostille fee ($10), and current mailing/walk-in addresses in Albany and NYC. Confirmed acceptance of Remote Online Notarization (RON) since 2023 and same-day service at NYC customer service center. Added POA-specific requirements for international real estate, business, and healthcare use cases.

Next Review Due: May 2026 (or earlier if NY DoS updates fees, forms, or addresses)

Reviewer Profile: /team/amelia-rivera

Verified sources (.gov)

NY Department of State — Apostille / Certificate of Authentication

Official process, fees, forms, and addresses

Form DOS-1917-f (PDF)

Apostille/Certificate of Authentication Request Form

NY Courts — County Clerk Directory

Find your county clerk office for authentication

NY Department of State — Notary Public Information

Notary registration, RON, and authentication requirements

Disclaimer

This guide provides general information and is not legal advice. Fees, addresses, and processing times can change. Always confirm details directly with the NY Department of State, your County Clerk office, and the foreign authority accepting your documents.

Updated November 2025 — Valid for 2026
Reviewed by: Amelia Rivera, Compliance Editor — Apostille Pro USA

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What this guide covers

New York follows a two-step process for apostilling notarized documents like POA:

County Clerk Authentication: The County Clerk where your notary is registered verifies the notary's signature and seal.
NY Department of State Apostille: The DoS then authenticates the County Clerk's signature and attaches the apostille certificate.

Why does New York require two steps?

Understanding the Chain of Authentication

New York notaries are registered at the county level, not the state level. The NY Department of State doesn't have direct records of every notary's signature, so they require an intermediate step:

Step 1 — County Clerk: Confirms the notary is registered and their signature matches county records.
Step 2 — NY DoS: Confirms the County Clerk's signature and issues the final apostille.

This creates an unbroken "chain of custody" that foreign governments can trust.

Step-by-step: How to apostille your NY Power of Attorney

Draft and notarize your Power of Attorney

Have your POA document prepared by an attorney or use a New York-compliant template (General Power of Attorney Act §5-1501 et seq. or Healthcare Proxy).
Sign it in front of a New York notary public. The notary will affix their signature, seal, and commission information.
Remote Online Notarization (RON): Accepted in NY since 2023. Ensure the notary is registered in New York.

Get County Clerk authentication

Submit your notarized POA to the County Clerk in the county where your notary is registered.

Required items:

• Original notarized POA
• County Clerk authentication fee ($5–$10, varies by county)
• Self-addressed stamped envelope (if mailing)

NYC Example: New York County Clerk office is at 60 Centre Street, Room 161. Fee: $5 per certification. Most counties process same-day or within 1–3 business days.

Find your county clerk office at: NYCourts.gov County Clerk Directory

Prepare your NY Department of State apostille packet

Required items:

• County Clerk authenticated POA (original with authentication certificate attached)
• Form DOS-1917-f (Apostille/Certificate of Authentication Request)
• $10 per document (check/money order payable to "NYS Department of State")
• Prepaid return envelope (UPS, FedEx, or USPS with tracking recommended)

Pro tip: Include destination country on DOS-1917-f form to ensure proper apostille formatting for your specific country.

Submit to NY Department of State

Mail (USPS, UPS, FedEx):

Apostille/Certificate Unit
NYS Department of State
One Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12231-0001

OR PO Box:
PO Box 22001
Albany, NY 12201-2001

Processing time: 2–3 weeks

Walk-in (same/next-day service):

Albany Customer Service Center

One Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231

Hours: Mon–Fri, 9 AM – 4:30 PM

NYC Customer Service Center

123 William Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10038

Hours: Mon–Fri, 9 AM – 4:30 PM

Same-day service available if you arrive before 2 PM. Bring exact change or check.

Receive your apostilled Power of Attorney

The NY Department of State will attach a stamped apostille certificate to your County Clerk authenticated POA. Your document is now ready for international use in any Hague Convention country.

Types of Power of Attorney accepted

General POA

Broad authority over financial, legal, and personal matters. Often used for international real estate.

Durable POA

Remains valid even if the principal becomes incapacitated. Common for estate planning abroad.

Financial POA

Limited to financial transactions like banking, investments, and tax matters overseas.

Healthcare Proxy / POA

Authorizes medical decisions. Required for international healthcare or elder care arrangements.

Real Estate POA

Specific to property transactions. Most commonly apostilled for overseas property sales/purchases.

Limited / Special POA

Grants authority for specific actions only, such as signing a single contract or managing one account.

Any properly notarized New York POA can be apostilled. The apostille verifies the notary's signature, not the content or legal validity of the POA itself.

Processing times & fees (summary)

Step	Agency	Fee	Processing Time
1. Notarization	NY Notary Public or RON provider	$2–$50 (varies)	Same day
2. County Clerk Auth	County Clerk (where notary registered)	$5–$10 per cert	Same day or 1–3 business days
3. Apostille	NY Department of State	$10 per document	2–3 weeks mail / same-day walk-in
Total Estimated		$17–$70	2–4 weeks (mail) or 1–2 days (walk-in)

Real-world examples & use cases

Buying property in Italy

Managing business operations in Spain

Healthcare decisions for elderly parent in France

International adoption from Poland

Common rejection reasons & how to avoid them

Top reasons NY DoS rejects POA apostille requests

❌ Missing County Clerk authentication certificate (most common error)
❌ Notary not registered in the county where authentication was requested
❌ Notary seal or signature illegible or incomplete
❌ County Clerk certificate not signed/sealed properly
❌ Incorrect payment amount or missing check/money order
❌ No prepaid return envelope included (mail submissions)
❌ POA document is a photocopy, not the original notarized document

Best practices

✓ Always verify notary's county of registration before requesting County Clerk auth
✓ Ensure County Clerk certificate is firmly attached to the notarized POA
✓ Double-check form DOS-1917-f is completely filled out
✓ Use tracking for mail submissions (USPS Certified, FedEx, UPS)

Frequently asked questions

Can I skip the County Clerk authentication step?▼

No. New York requires County Clerk authentication before the Department of State can issue an apostille for notarized documents like Power of Attorney.

What is the total cost to apostille a NY Power of Attorney?▼

Total cost is typically $15–$20: County Clerk authentication ($5–$10, varies by county) + NY Department of State apostille ($10). Add notary fees ($2–$50) if not yet notarized.

Can I use Remote Online Notarization (RON) for my POA?▼

Yes. New York accepts RON-notarized POA documents since 2023. The RON notary must be registered in New York, and you still need County Clerk authentication + DoS apostille.

How long does the entire process take?▼

County Clerk: same-day or 1–3 business days. NY DoS: 2–3 weeks by mail, same/next-day walk-in at Albany or NYC offices. Total: 2–4 weeks by mail, 1–2 days if you walk-in at both steps.

Which types of POA can be apostilled?▼

Any properly notarized NY POA: General, Durable, Financial, Healthcare, Real Estate, or Limited. The notarization signature is what gets apostilled, not the POA content itself.

What if my destination country isn't a Hague Convention member?▼

Can someone else submit the documents for me?▼

Yes. You can authorize a representative, courier service, or attorney to submit documents on your behalf at County Clerk or NY DoS offices. No special authorization letter is required.

Do I need to translate my POA before apostilling?▼

How long is an apostilled POA valid?▼

Get your personalized NY POA apostille guide

What this guide covers

Why does New York require two steps?

Step-by-step: How to apostille your NY Power of Attorney

Types of Power of Attorney accepted

Processing times & fees (summary)

Real-world examples & use cases

Common rejection reasons & how to avoid them

Still have questions about your NY POA apostille?

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

Verified sources (.gov)

Get your personalized NY POA apostille guide

What this guide covers

Why does New York require two steps?

Step-by-step: How to apostille your NY Power of Attorney

Types of Power of Attorney accepted

Processing times & fees (summary)

Real-world examples & use cases

Common rejection reasons & how to avoid them

Still have questions about your NY POA apostille?

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

Verified sources (.gov)