Indian citizens in Germany sign the power of attorney in person before the consular officer at the Indian mission for their federal state: Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich or Hamburg. German citizens of Indian origin have it notarised by a German notary, pre-certified by the regional court and then attested by the Indian mission. The document is couriered to India and stamped within three months, and registered if it concerns sale of property.
- Document route
- Indian Embassy or Consulate attestation
- Time difference
- 3.5 to 4.5 hours behind IST
- Handled in India at
- Collector of Stamps and sub-registrar
- Travel to India
- None
How it works from Germany
We draft the power of attorney for the specific task: selling a named flat, completing a purchase, appearing in a court case, operating a bank account or applying for mutation. Indian sub-registrars increasingly refuse broad general powers from abroad, and a specific power also protects you from misuse. The draft is in English with the property schedule taken from the title deed. You receive a signing sheet listing what your consulate asks for: passport, residence permit, photographs, two witnesses with identification where required, and the fee.
Once it reaches India, your attorney holder presents it to the Collector of Stamps for payment of stamp duty, which must be done within three months of arrival. A power of attorney authorising sale of immovable property is then registered or adjudicated as the state requires. We keep a certified copy on file and, when the task is finished, prepare a revocation deed and notify the attorney holder, the sub-registrar and the bank, so the authority does not stay open indefinitely.
What is different for NRIs in Germany
- A German notarial deed in German must be accompanied by a certified English translation, so draft and sign in English wherever the notary allows a signature certification only.
- Give the power to a person you trust and limit it by property, purpose and time. Add a clause that sale proceeds go only to your own NRO or NRE account.
- A power of attorney ends on the death of either party. It is not a substitute for a will.
Step by step from Germany
Free review call
Calls are held in the German morning, while offices in India are open. We read your papers on a power of attorney for India first, so the call is about your options and not a repeat of the facts.
Authority from Germany
Where a representative must act for you in India on a power of attorney for India, you sign before the consular officer at the Indian mission for your federal state, since a German apostille is not accepted in India. We draft the document and send signing instructions.
Work in India
In India, the attorney holder pays stamp duty within three months of the document arriving and registers it where the state requires. Updates for clients in Germany go by email and WhatsApp with scans of whatever is filed.
Result and handover
At the end you receive a scan of the stamped power of attorney, and a revocation deed is prepared once the work is finished. Originals are couriered to your address in Germany if you need them.
The law in full
This page covers what changes when you handle a power of attorney for India from Germany. For the Indian law, the complete document checklist, common mistakes and more questions, read our main page on Power of Attorney for India. For other matters, see all legal services for NRIs in Germany or the Property & Real Estate practice area.
Questions from NRIs in Germany
Can I use a German apostille on my power of attorney?
No. The Apostille Convention is not in force between India and Germany. Use consular attestation.
How long does it take from Germany?
Usually three to four weeks: a consulate appointment, courier to India, then stamping. Registration, if needed, adds a few days.
Does my relative in India have to register it?
For selling or transferring immovable property, yes in most states. For court cases and banking, stamping is normally enough.