Can an International Buyer Use a Power of Attorney?
By JC Pacific Corp Published 2026-09-01 Last professionally reviewed: September 2026
An international buyer may be able to authorize another person through a power of attorney, but the document must be legally valid, sufficiently specific, properly executed, and accepted by the lender, title company, escrow provider, and other relevant parties.
What should the document address?
- Identity of principal and agent
- Specific powers granted
- Property or transaction
- Effective date
- Expiration
- Notarization
- Foreign execution
- Revocation
- Conflicts of interest
- Gifts or self-dealing
- Lender requirements
- Recording when applicable
Why must approval happen early?
A lender or title insurer may require its own form, recent execution, original document, translation, legal opinion, or additional verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the real estate agent act as attorney-in-fact?
That may create serious conflicts and should not be assumed appropriate.
Does a foreign power of attorney work automatically?
No.
Can a power of attorney continue after death?
Authority generally ends at death.
Educational information
Powers of attorney create substantial authority and fraud risk.
Submit the proposed power of attorney for legal, lender, title, and escrow review before making an offer that depends on it.
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JC Pacific Corp is an Irvine-based Southern California brokerage helping buyers navigate offers, escrow, and financing. Tell us what you are looking for and we will point you to current options across the region.
A note on legal advice: These guides provide general, educational information about California real estate practice. They are not legal advice and do not create an attorney-client relationship. Mortgage information is general education, not individualized lending, tax or legal guidance. For advice about your specific offer, contract, closing or financing, consult a qualified California real estate attorney and a qualified mortgage professional.
A note on these international-buyer guides: These articles provide general, educational information about buying California real estate as an international buyer. They are not legal, immigration, tax, lending, banking, currency, or financial advice. Property ownership, citizenship, immigration status, tax residency, financing, and physical occupancy are separate concepts and should be planned with the appropriate professionals. No article guarantees financing, an ITIN, a bank account, a funds transfer, a closing, tax treatment, or reporting compliance, and none should be read as advice to divide, disguise, or structure transactions to avoid lawful reporting or review. Verify current IRS, California Franchise Tax Board, FinCEN, OFAC, and CFIUS rules with qualified advisers for the transaction date. Buyers purchasing remotely or from outside the United States can request brokerage assistance in English, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.