As we hit June and approach the middle of 2021, the global COVID-19 pandemic hits its 1.5 year mark. We are patiently waiting as the population of the entire world slowly receives vaccination so that our world can go back to normal. You may have faced the reality that you can’t put off many priorities for later. If you have ties to Russia, travel for any reason may be out of question at the moment. The risks and travel restrictions have made conducting business and affairs quite difficult. But as the old adage goes, “where there is a will, there is a way!” If you are poised to conduct important affairs that cannot wait, you need to complete an attestation of a power of attorney for Russia.
What is a Power of Attorney?
If you are reading this article, you probably have a very good idea as to what a POA is and why you need one. But to summarize, a Power of Attorney (POA) is a document that assigns someone else with legal decision-making authority on your behalf. The person you assign with this responsibility is known as your “attorney”. Acting in your best interest, your attorney may make important decisions regarding your property, finances, or even medical care. While anyone of your choosing can be your attorney, some limitations exist. These are as follows:
- The attorney must be of legal age and mental capacity to carry on the duties outlined in the POA.
- The attorney must not be your child or a person you treat as your child.
Forms for POAs are readily accessible online. Alternatively, you can speak to a legal advisor to prepare one that is unique and specific for your needs. If the matter is particularly sensitive, it may be wise to consult with an advisor regarding any conditions and limitations you may want to include.
Should you use a POA?
Whether or not to use a POA is a very personal decision. Entrusted to the right person, POAs can be very handy tools to bring a means to an end. For example, if you simply cannot be present in Russia for important financial or property matters that absolutely cannot wait, then a POA may be your only option. However, remember that you are sharing a big responsibility with someone else. In many ways, providing a POA can make you and your business/assets vulnerable. For this reason, it is very important to choose someone you trust. You must be confident that the attorney you chose will act responsibly and intelligently in your best interest.
What’s next when it comes to authentication and legalization of Power of Attorney for Russia?
Before you can use a power of attorney outside of Canada, you need to take it through attestation. Since you are in Canada, make sure you notarize it with a Canadian notary before that. You may have heard of “authentication and legalization” before. In fact, this is the exact same process as attestation. They are essentially comparable, globally and locally, so do not worry about the differences in phrasing!
Legalization of Power of Attorney for Russia: Step 1
Once you notarize your POA for use in Russia, you will need to submit it to Global Affairs Canada (GAC) located in Ottawa. GAC conducts authentication for all formal documents undergoing the process. If you submit the document personally, it typical takes 20 business days for your document to be authenticated. Contrarily, using an attestation expert such as Legalization Service Centre (LSC) can help reduce this time. This is due to our years of experience in the business and extensive network within GAC. Once GAC is satisfied that your POA meets all the standards and validity tests, they will place a large red stamp to indicate that your document has been authenticated.
Legalization of Power of Attorney for Russia: Step 2
Following authentication, your document will need to be submitted to the Russian Embassy for legalization. During this step, the embassy will conduct their own review of the POA to ensure that the GAC stamp is valid. They will also ensure that the power of attorney meant for Russia meets their specific standards for use in Russia and if satisfied, they will attach a certificate or stamp to indicate that the POA has been legalized.
One note for consideration here is that the regulations and requirements at embassies change regularly. The standards and measures of acceptability from earlier this year may no longer apply now. It is can be difficult to keep up with ongoing changes if you aren’t familiar with the process. However, expert attestation professionals usually have the most current embassy information and can guide you accordingly. At Legalization Service Centre, our active work and close physical proximity to most embassies results in the most accurate and current information. Having these at your fingertips can save you tons of time, money, and hassle.
Legalization Service Centre and Power of Attorney for Russia
At Legalization Service Centre, we have been dealing with POAs for Russia long before the pandemic sprung. With an A++ ranking at the Better Business Bureau and a 5 star customer rating on Google, LSC boasts a reputable customer service and excellence in practice. And with the current struggles and circumstances, we realize the need for community and actively work to do our part. Trusting us with your POA attestation means ensuring that job gets done from A to Z with smoothness and efficiency. Whether you are just starting the thought process or are ready to start authentication, give us a call! We are happy to chat and answer any questions.
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