Power of Attorney (Croatia)

Marija_1

Mods - please re-allocate to the most relevant forum area if required.

I'd be really grateful for any suggestions/opinions on this issue. I need to urgently send an ordinary Power of Attorney for a Croatian national to act on my behalf with a Croatian government department on a specific sensitive family issue. I’ve been quoted ridiculous prices from solicitors and haven't been able to progress the matter.

I understand that for it to accepted in Croatia the document needs to be signed by a UK notary or solicitor; it needs to sent to the FCO to be legalised; and the document also needs to be professionally translated.

My questions are:

1 - Can I create my own ordinary Power of Attorney document specifying the power which I authorise the Croatian individual to do on my behalf, i.e. to liaise with the relevant Croatian government department for the stated purpose only?
2 - If the above is acceptable, can I simply get a solicitor from a UK High Street walk in service to sign the witnessing of my signature (having provided valid ID) and would this make the POA doc valid?
3 - Assuming 1 & 2 above are acceptable, do I send only the signed POA doc to the FCO for legalisation; or do I need to also send the professional translation?

Any suggestions on this would be very much appreciated!!
Thanks and kind regards,
Marija

jonesMUFCforever

I will be honest and say I don't have a clue whether what you want would work but one thing that came to mind whilst reading your post - if you make the PoA too restrictive it might be thrown out by the Croatian authorities?
Also does not a PoA need to registered in a UK court?

Would it not be easier for you to go yourself?

Marija_1

Thanks jonesMUFCforever
A Lasting POA needs some kind of official approval for it to be effective in England/Wales, but this is an ordinary POA solely for overseas and non-UK use. I'm therefore working on the assumption that it doesn't require the same registration requirement as you suggested, and the POA doc signature just needs to be witnessed by a notary or solicitor and stamped, before being submitted to the FCO for legalisation and sending to Croatia.

Actually returning to Croatia isn't an option at this time, however, the issue needs urgent resolution.

dj1471

I've done this and you're almost spot on.

You can draw up the POA yourself, I did this, plenty of templates available online. You will need a notary to witness the signature. You will then need a certified translation. The whole lot then goes to the FCO for apostille. You may finally need to take everything to the Croatian Embassy to be legalised before it goes to Croatia.

What I would say is triple check exactly what the Croatian government will accept. And don't do more than is required - a translation may or may not be necessary, likewise the apostille and legalisation. Requirements vary between countries, but it shouldn't be too onerous where EU countries are involved.

I previously used this company for a certified translation, decent price, quick turnaround and all done by email (the final translation is sent by post):
https://bostico.uk/

And don't cheap out on the shipping to Croatia, use a proper courier. I used DHL, decent rates if you use one of their envelopes.

Marija_1

Thanks very much dj1471, I'll take a look at that link.
So if I understand correctly, both the original English POA doc AND its translation gets sent to the FCO for the apostille.

dj1471

Marija_1 wrote: »

Thanks very much dj1471, I'll take a look at that link.
So if I understand correctly, both the original English POA doc AND its translation gets sent to the FCO for the apostille.

Yes, you want to keep everything together.

Thinking about it, you may be able to get away without the translation if you can write up the POA in Croatian. The notary is just witnessing the signature and doesn't need to understand the document. Likewise the FCO are just verifying the notary's details.

Marija_1

Thanks again dj1471, great suggestions! :T