Plenty of families around Hillsboro and Beaverton still own something back in India. Maybe it’s a parent’s flat in Hyderabad, a plot in Pune, or a house in Kerala that three siblings now share from three different countries. At some point it has to be sold, rented or sorted out, and nobody can fly over for every signature. So the question becomes: how do I give someone in India the power to sign for me, from here?
The short answer is a power of attorney. The longer answer depends on your passport and on what the office in India is willing to accept, and that’s what this post is about. (We’re notaries, not lawyers, so the wording of the document itself has to come from your lawyer in India.)
Ask India before you sign anything
Honestly, this is the step that saves the most time. Email your lawyer, or whoever at the sub-registrar’s office or bank will handle it, and ask: will you take a power of attorney notarized in Oregon with an Oregon apostille, or do you want it attested by the Indian consulate?
It shouldn’t be a hard question. India joined the Apostille Convention back in 2005, and the Ministry of External Affairs says an apostilled document from another member country needs nothing further. But property offices don’t always see it that way. Some law firms say sub-registrars still ask for consulate attestation on sale-related documents, and a 2025 Kerala High Court decision raised doubts about how much a US notarization proves on its own. Whatever they tell you, get it in writing.
The apostille route
If India says an apostille is fine, this is the simpler path. Your lawyer sends the final text, ideally naming the property by survey or flat number and spelling out exactly what your attorney can do. You sign it in front of an Oregon notary with your passport. Then it goes to the Oregon Secretary of State for the apostille. That only happens in Salem, so we hand-deliver it there, and it usually comes back in 1 to 5 business days. After that, you courier the original to India.
The consulate route
If India wants consulate attestation, you’ll be dealing with the Consulate General of India in Seattle, which took over Oregon in August 2025. Applications go through VFS Global in Seattle or Bellevue, in person or by courier, and take about 10 business days.
Which steps you need depends on your passport. US citizens without OCI have to get the Oregon apostille first and then the consulate’s attestation on top of it. Indian passport and OCI holders can go straight from notarization to the consulate.
The consulate is specific about the signing itself. Two witnesses have to sign with you in front of the notary, and neither can be your spouse or a blood relative. Your photo goes on the last page, and your signature should look like the one in your passport. They also want notarized copies of your passport and proof of your US address, plus OCI or visa papers if they apply. The consulate’s page lists $20 plus $2 per applicant, while VFS’s August 2026 checklist shows $41 per signer once its own fee is added. Check both pages before you send anything; these details change.
Once it lands in India
The clock that matters starts when the document arrives in India, not when you sign it. A power of attorney signed abroad generally has to be stamped within three months of first arriving there. Leave it in a drawer too long and it can be impounded and charged a penalty on top of the stamp duty.
Many states also require a property power of attorney to be registered, especially if it allows a sale, and stamp duty varies widely. Some states charge close to sale-level duty when the person you’re appointing isn’t close family. And it’s worth remembering what the document is not: India’s Supreme Court said in 2011 that only a registered sale deed transfers ownership. Your power of attorney just lets someone sign that deed on your behalf.
Where it usually goes wrong
Rarely anything dramatic. A US citizen without OCI skips the apostille and the consulate returns the file. A spouse or cousin signs as a witness. The name on the document doesn’t quite match the passport, or the photo is missing. Or the document gets to India and sits there past the three-month stamping window. Almost every one of these is avoided by asking India first and bringing the right people to the appointment.
Signing with us in Hillsboro
Our Hillsboro office is at 9620 NE Tanasbourne Dr, Suite 38, a short drive from most of Washington County. It’s open weekdays 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 10am to 2pm, and we also have offices in Beaverton, Lake Oswego and Vancouver, WA. If getting everyone to one place is the hard part, the mobile notary can come to you.
Notarization is $10 per signature at our Oregon offices. If you don’t have two unrelated witnesses, we can provide them at the office for $30 each. An Oregon apostille is $195 for the first document, with the $10 state fee included, and $20 for each one after that. The mobile notary’s travel fee is $70 for the first 10 miles plus $2 a mile after that. When you book, ask how we’ll handle the consulate’s passport-copy requirement for your situation. And if you’d rather sign in Vancouver, that’s fine too, but the apostille will then come from Washington State, not Oregon.
FAQ
Can I sell property in India from the US with a power of attorney?
Yes. The person you appoint can sign the sale deed for you, as long as the sub-registrar accepts the power of attorney and it’s properly stamped and, where required, registered. Your lawyer in India can tell you what they need.
Is an Oregon apostille enough for India?
Officially, yes. Some offices handling property sales still ask for consulate attestation, so check with the office that will use it.
Which Indian consulate serves Oregon?
The Consulate General of India in Seattle, through VFS Global.
Can my wife or brother be a witness?
Not for the consulate route. Seattle requires two witnesses who aren’t your spouse or blood relatives. We can provide witnesses at our office for $30 each.
How long do I have to stamp it in India?
Generally three months from the day the document first arrives in India.
Related guides: does a power of attorney need to be notarized · Mexico power of attorney from Portland · Oregon apostille quick reference · apostille scams and red flags
Official sources: Consulate General of India, Seattle: power of attorney · Ministry of External Affairs: apostille · HCCH Apostille Convention status · Oregon Secretary of State: apostilles