Power of Attorney in English and Spanish: Dual Column Power of Attorney
The power of attorney with double columns is a type of notarial writing that is increasingly common due to the current international relations that are established, whether at a private level or in commercial companies. From our notary office in Barcelona, specialised in granting powers of attorney, we want to explain what it is to grant power of attorney with double columns in Spanish and also in another language such as English, how to grant a power of attorney remotely if desired, what its usefulness is and its benefits.
You should know that you can sign a double-column power of attorney in Spanish and also in English, French, Italian, Portuguese or Romanian with JLA Notarios by visiting our notary office on the Diagonal in Barcelona or completely electronically, without travelling, signing digitally, from anywhere in the world where you are located.
If you need a power of attorney in Spanish and also in English, we will draft it for you; however, to prepare double-column powers of attorney in French, Italian, Portuguese or Romanian, it will be necessary for you to send us the text in that language and we will format it and prepare your power of attorney in two languages.
Make a power of attorney that is effective abroad
We remind you that powers of attorney are notarial documents in which other people are authorised to act on behalf of others in contracts, various businesses and/or acts. It could be the case of a company granting power of attorney to some lawyers to carry out procedures on its behalf. But how is a notarial power of attorney processed to be effective abroad?
Create a bilingual notarial power of attorney in English with two columns
Powers of attorney must be drawn up at the place of execution, which means they must be written in the official language of the country where they are granted. In the case of foreigners who do not understand the language, a Notary may translate their content and this must be reflected in the document. But it is also possible to draft a power of attorney in double columns, whether the language is known or not, with the aim of using the power abroad without the need for translation.
One of the particularities of a power of attorney is the double-column deed, which is characterised by being drafted in two languages, that is, in Spanish and another language into which the text is translated (it is common for this to be English or French). This is reflected in the document with two columns containing the same content, each in one language, in which the granting is explicitly set out with the text running in parallel. And it serves precisely to grant powers in other countries, according to the needs and preferences of the parties involved. The double-column notarial power of attorney avoids misunderstandings or linguistic confusions and grants powers clearly and comprehensibly, facilitating communication.
Foreign power of attorney valid in Spain
For this purpose, we can find double-column notarial documents executed by Notaries from around the world granting powers to carry out an act in Spain. If the power of attorney has been granted, such documents must be accepted in the legal framework of our country to guarantee legal certainty. There are certain elements that allow the validation of this foreign power of attorney, such as its apostille or diplomatic legalization, along with the equivalence assessment. A Notary must intervene to guarantee its validity and compliance, verifying that it meets the requirements of Spanish legislation and proceeding with its registration.
What is the equivalence test?
In the equivalence trial, the foreign Notary certifies that they have functions equivalent to those of a Spanish Notary. To this end, it must be expressly notified in the power of attorney granted. The identification of the grantor and the verification of their capacity to grant the power must be included, declaring their involvement in the execution of the power and equating their involvement to that of a Spanish Notary, and, finally, declaring that the power complies with the legislation of their country.
Power of attorney made in Spain valid for abroad
In the same way, we can also grant powers with double columns from our notary office in Barcelona to other countries.
Therefore, in a deed where power of attorney is granted to be used in a foreign country from Spain, it is common to find the provision of the double column deed, but it must always be apostilled or, if the destination country has not signed the Hague Convention, the double legalisation system must be applied. Furthermore, in Barcelona, at JLA Notario, we can process the apostille of your notarial document.
Examples of the double-column system
The number of powers of attorney that can be granted in the manner discussed in this article is high. Some examples would be the assignment of mortgage credits or representation in sales transactions. Other examples include subsidiaries and/or multinationals that need to regulate matters and have to grant deeds. Their use for processing international transactions, commercial contracts in other countries, or acquisitions of properties abroad is especially useful.
A Notary is essential in the preparation of such powers of attorney to ensure that the applicable legal requirements are met.
Where is the double-column power regulated?
The double column is regulated in the Notarial Regulation, specifically in article 150.
Requirements for granting a double-column power of attorney deed
In the event that a Notary must process a double-column power of attorney, they may do so provided that both they and the grantor are familiar with both languages in which the deed is processed.
At JLA Notarios we can prepare a double-column power of attorney in Spanish and English, and you can sign it by visiting our offices in Barcelona or electronically from anywhere in the world through the Citizen's Notarial Portal. We can also process double-column powers of attorney in Spanish and another language such as French, Italian, or Portuguese, but in those cases we need the clients to send us the text in those languages, and then we will format it appropriately.
The Notary, in a special double-column power of attorney deed, must acknowledge in the record the capacity of the grantor, as well as validate their legal capacity in order to exercise it and to grant the power of attorney.
Likewise, they must assess whether the fact or content of the power of attorney granted is lawful according to the Law of our country.
In the event that a double-column power of attorney has been received from abroad, they must determine whether it has been granted by a competent authority.
Foreign power of attorney with apostille
The Hague Apostille is an international seal that allows documents processed by competent authorities to be recognised and valid in other countries so that they can be used. The Hague Apostille certifies the authenticity of the signature and, furthermore, issues a judgment of equivalence and sufficiency to determine that the content is valid for carrying out the actions for which it was created. The procedure for a foreign power of attorney valid in Spain and vice versa must include this apostille.
How to process a double-column power of attorney deed in Barcelona?
If you need to process a double-column power of attorney in English, our Notaries in Barcelona will be able to draft it.
The role of the Notary in the remote power of attorney deed
The role of the Notary, as we have seen previously, is fundamental for the drafting, certification, authentication of the document, as well as in the identification of the parties involved and the validation of their capacity to grant. The Notary is a legal professional with legal powers to authenticate legal acts and ensure the validity of transactions. With their seal and signature, they provide legal certainty in transactions and protect the parties involved.
Documents for granting notarial documents in double column
The following documentation will be required for individuals:
- Identification by means of a valid identification document of the person granting the power of attorney, which can be DNI, residence card or passport
- Identification of the person to whom the power of attorney is granted
- Minute with the acts that will be set out in the document, if available. It is necessary when a double-column power of attorney in Spanish and another language other than English is required, which we can process. (Italian, Portuguese, French or Romanian).
In the event that a commercial company grants the power of attorney, the following will be required:
- DNI, NIE, passport or residence card of the company’s representative
- Original deeds proving the existence of the company and the powers of the representative who will sign at the notary. However, this requirement can be replaced by consulting the company information in the Mercantile Registry, if the company is Spanish.
- Documentation with the details of the attorney-in-fact (name, surnames, photocopy of DNI, NIE or passport)
In the case that a foreign company grants a double-column power of attorney in Spain, the company’s documentation must be translated and apostilled, and must also provide its official certificate of registration of the company in the Registry.
Parts contained in the double-column power of attorney deed
- Identification of the Notary and the grantor
- The capacity of the grantor is established
- The place where the notarial act is held
- The purpose of the grant and the persons attending the signing are determined
- Signature of parties and Notary's seal
Once the deed is made in double column, the Notary certifies the power by signature and official seal. Subsequently, the copy is sent to the Notarial Association to apostille the document, if necessary.
What is the price to grant a power of attorney remotely?
As is well known, the price of notarial acts is regulated by the Government and complies with the regulatory framework of the NOTARIAL FEE SCHEDULE (RD 1426/1989, of 17 November, regulating the Notaries' Fee Schedule). However, the exact price of a notarial document cannot be calculated until its specific content is known, that is, until it is signed, as there are many circumstances that can cause it to vary. The number of copies requested of a document, the pages it contains, as well as possible changes or additions, can slightly alter the final price.
As a guideline, we can indicate that the cost of preparing a double-column power of attorney can range between 120 and 350 euros, VAT included. The Hague apostille service, essential for this type of powers of attorney, also entails an extra cost of between €35 and €90 depending on the urgency of the procedure.
The wide price range is mainly due to the length of the document's content. As in the case of companies, all the data justifying the representative's actions must be included, powers of attorney granted by companies usually have a higher price than those granted by individuals. The cost will be the same whether the power of attorney is signed in person at our notary office in Barcelona or signed electronically through our digital notary service.
If you wish to receive a detailed quote, we invite you to contact us directly through the method that is most convenient for you. You can do so via the contact form on the main page of this website, through the contact section found in the footer of the website, using the direct WhatsApp access at the bottom right of this page, by sending an email to bcn@jlanotarios.com, or by calling us at 93 159 17 62.
Other questions related to power in English or double-column power
The apostille of the documents signed at our notary office (either in person or digitally) must be processed, according to the law, by the Notarial College of Catalonia. The standard apostille takes 3-4 working days, while the urgent apostille takes 1-2 working days.
At JLA Notarios we offer a comprehensive service for double-column powers of attorney in two languages, so if you wish, we will take care of delivering and collecting your power of attorney from the Notarial College, to provide it to you with the apostille already attached.
Currently, commercial powers of attorney and powers of attorney from individuals that are not general can be signed in person at our notary office in the centre of Barcelona or completely digitally, from anywhere you are, through the Citizen Notarial Platform.
At JLA Notarios we can prepare your power of attorney in double column in two languages, Spanish and English, for you to sign at our notary office in the Eixample of Barcelona or to sign it completely digitally, as you choose.
You can also sign with us powers of attorney in two languages, Spanish and also Italian, Portuguese, French or Romanian. However, in these cases, we need you to provide us with the text you want to include in the foreign language in the power of attorney.
In any case, it will be necessary that one of the languages is Spanish and it must also appear in the power of attorney, because the law requires it, so that in case of discrepancy between languages, the content of the power of attorney in Spanish will prevail.
The revocation of powers of attorney in double column may be processed at any time through the corresponding public deed of revocation.
Like the equivalence judgment, the sufficiency judgment is related to the validity of legal acts and their authorisation by Notaries. It involves the evaluation of the grantor to confirm their mental capacity and understanding of the terms of the document, offering additional explanations so that they can make an informed decision. In this way, the rights and interests of the parties involved are protected and situations in which the characteristics of the granting are unknown are prevented.
You should only go to the Spanish consulate abroad when the power of attorney is issued in a country where the so-called equivalence trial does not exist.
Processing a power of attorney in English with JLA Notarios
At JLA Notarios we specialise in power of attorney deed in double column in English. It is especially important to have an in-depth knowledge of the two languages in which the deed is written. Therefore, in complex commercial, banking or legal texts, it is important to take into account the connotations that the translation may entail. The verification in two languages by the Notary, its drafting and its equivalence, guarantees that both versions have the same legal scope and that there are no discrepancies between them. In addition, we can also process powers of attorney in double column in the languages previously specified.
At our Notary Office in Barcelona you will find a team of highly qualified and experienced Notaries to be able to grant power of attorney in Barcelona. We are experts in the regulations that apply and can offer you personalised advice tailored to your specific needs, answering your questions and concerns at all times. You will no longer have to worry about having to grant power of attorney in double column in English.
At JLA Notarios we work empathetically and dynamically, applying new technologies in all procedures for your comfort and convenience. Our goal is to optimise the transaction times of your procedure and keep you informed of any developments that arise during the process. Choose us as your Notary to receive excellent service quality, by visiting our notary office on Avenida Diagonal in Barcelona or signing digitally through our digital notary from anywhere you are.
Contact us for an initial consultation. We will assist you throughout the process, resolving your doubts and efficiently managing your procedure. Book your first consultation now at JLA Notarios.
By your side in the moments that matter
Wills and inheritance
Making a will, making a declaration of heirs or awarding inheritance are very important moments in people’s lives.
At JLA Notarios we offer inheritance law services, both to arrange your estate and to divide up inheritance, guaranteeing the best advice for your particular needs while studying the tax implications of each case. We never forget the human factor. We even offer a notary service at home if necessary.
Contracts and property law
Over the course of our lives, we carry out important actions, such as buying a home, declaring a new-build, lifetime gifting to our children or ending partnerships, among many others.
At JLA Notarios we are experts in property and contract law and buying and selling property. We guide our clients, analysing each particular issue and always considering the tax burden of each transaction.
In addition, some of our notarial services can be performed online, so we can assist you from anywhere in Spain. Contact us to declare a new-build or a commonhold ownership structure online.
Mortgage
Taking out a mortgage is one of the biggest moments for anyone. Just think of the fees and interest you may have to pay for much of your life. So it is essential to have a trusted notary to help you understand what you are signing, explaining the tricky legal terms and their future consequences in simple words, to provide transparency and protect our clients.
At JLA Notarios we are aware of the importance of giving complete and understandable information to people about to sign a mortgage, novation or subrogation. We also advise and guide you on your future mortgage cancellation.
Loan agreements and credit facilities
Individuals and companies often need money to fulfil their dreams or projects. This can be obtained by taking out a loan or credit facility with your bank. When you sign, it is essential to understand the details properly to avoid future surprises.
JLA Notarios can be your trusted notary office, giving you accurate advice on loan contracts, providing a very agile and specialised service for processing loan contracts.
Bear in mind that from 9 November 2023, you will be able to sign your loan contracts from anywhere in Spain electronically by videoconference with JLA Notarios, saving you time and money. Do not hesitate to contact us to find out more about the notary office’s services in order to sign a loan contract online or sign a credit facility online.
Companies
Without entrepreneurship there is no future, so it is of vital importance to support our businesspeople and entrepreneurs.
At JLA Notaries we are familiar with companies’ life cycle, which enables us to provide legal assistance for companies in their different stages, whether incorporation, modifications of their articles of association, changes of director, share sales and purchases, capital increases and reductions, dissolution and closure, and everything related to commercial matters.
Powers of attorney
There are moments in life when a person needs to delegate. The law provides a tool for this: powers of attorney. Though a power of attorney, one person allows another person to act on their behalf.
At JLA Notarios we make sure that you understand the significance and risks of delegating or revoking powers of attorney, from a special power of attorney or power of attorney for lawsuits, to general powers of attorney or preventive powers of attorney for cases of incapacity.
We provide an agile service to sign powers of attorney. You can take your copy away immediately, saving you unnecessary trips, and from 9 November 2023 our clients will be able to sign all powers of attorney that are not general or preventive by videoconference through our digital notary office.
Family affairs
A prosperous society is based on the family and its protection. Family Law provides you with the tools to protect your family and its members, so its foundations are solid and its purposes can be achieved.
At JLA Notarios we provide legal advice on marriage or civil partnerships; property aspects of the family through marriage contracts or civil partnership contracts; the moments when the family relationship is ended, in cases such as divorce or separation; and protection of vulnerable people, such as minors or people with modified capacity, through deeds of appointment of guardians or executors or creation of protected assets. We do all of this in a way that makes everyone involved feel equally supported and secure.
Certifications and authentications
It is common knowledge that notaries attest. That important and simple action can guarantee things of vital importance, such as ensuring that the signature on a document is authentic or certifying that a copy of a document matches the original.
At JLA Notarios we will help you to certify a document or notarise a signature in accordance with the law and tailored to your specific needs.
In addition, these notarial procedures can be carried out conveniently through electronic means from 9 November 2023.
Minutes
How many times have you wanted to leave a record of an event, of a statement, of the condition in which an object is found, or notify someone of any matter. To provide a solution to these issues, the Law provides us with notarial records.
At JLA Notarios we adapt to you, reflecting in the record what you require and carrying out the notifications and requests that you demand.
Oath of Nationality
Behind every nationality oath there is a story of overcoming, sacrifice and waiting.
At JLA Notarios we understand what this moment means and offer an empathetic, agile and quick service, advising beyond the oath itself, anticipating the future requirements that the new Spanish citizen will need.
We are your reference Notary to carry out the nationality oath before a Notary in Barcelona.
Apostille of the hague convention
Globalisation enables the free movement of people and documents of all kinds. How can you guarantee that a document has been officially issued? With an apostille of the Hague Convention.
JLA Notarios can obtain an apostille for all documents executed before us so they are valid and recognised abroad. We do this transparently and save you all the bureaucratic procedures involved.
Tax and registry procedures
Tax bureaucracy can cause a lot of headaches.
So JLA Notarios offers its clients the possibility of assessing and paying the many different taxes by the executing deeds and carrying out other procedures before the notary. We can also file them with the Land or Companies Registry so you do not have to concern yourself with it and can spend your time on the things that matter. We support you from start to finish.
Wills and inheritance
Making a will, making a declaration of heirs or awarding inheritance are very important moments in people’s lives.
At JLA Notarios we offer inheritance law services, both to arrange your estate and to divide up inheritance, guaranteeing the best advice for your particular needs while studying the tax implications of each case. We never forget the human factor. We even offer a notary service at home if necessary.
Contracts and property law
Over the course of our lives, we carry out important actions, such as buying a home, declaring a new-build, lifetime gifting to our children or ending partnerships, among many others.
At JLA Notarios we are experts in property and contract law and buying and selling property. We guide our clients, analysing each particular issue and always considering the tax burden of each transaction.
In addition, some of our notarial services can be performed online, so we can assist you from anywhere in Spain. Contact us to declare a new-build or a commonhold ownership structure online.
Mortgage
Taking out a mortgage is one of the biggest moments for anyone. Just think of the fees and interest you may have to pay for much of your life. So it is essential to have a trusted notary to help you understand what you are signing, explaining the tricky legal terms and their future consequences in simple words, to provide transparency and protect our clients.
At JLA Notarios we are aware of the importance of giving complete and understandable information to people about to sign a mortgage, novation or subrogation. We also advise and guide you on your future mortgage cancellation.
Loan agreements and credit facilities
Individuals and companies often need money to fulfil their dreams or projects. This can be obtained by taking out a loan or credit facility with your bank. When you sign, it is essential to understand the details properly to avoid future surprises.
JLA Notarios can be your trusted notary office, giving you accurate advice on loan contracts, providing a very agile and specialised service for processing loan contracts.
Bear in mind that from 9 November 2023, you will be able to sign your loan contracts from anywhere in Spain electronically by videoconference with JLA Notarios, saving you time and money. Do not hesitate to contact us to find out more about the notary office’s services in order to sign a loan contract online or sign a credit facility online.
Companies
Without entrepreneurship there is no future, so it is of vital importance to support our businesspeople and entrepreneurs.
At JLA Notaries we are familiar with companies’ life cycle, which enables us to provide legal assistance for companies in their different stages, whether incorporation, modifications of their articles of association, changes of director, share sales and purchases, capital increases and reductions, dissolution and closure, and everything related to commercial matters.
Powers of attorney
There are moments in life when a person needs to delegate. The law provides a tool for this: powers of attorney. Though a power of attorney, one person allows another person to act on their behalf.
At JLA Notarios we make sure that you understand the significance and risks of delegating or revoking powers of attorney, from a special power of attorney or power of attorney for lawsuits, to general powers of attorney or preventive powers of attorney for cases of incapacity.
We provide an agile service to sign powers of attorney. You can take your copy away immediately, saving you unnecessary trips, and from 9 November 2023 our clients will be able to sign all powers of attorney that are not general or preventive by videoconference through our digital notary office.
Family affairs
A prosperous society is based on the family and its protection. Family Law provides you with the tools to protect your family and its members, so its foundations are solid and its purposes can be achieved.
At JLA Notarios we provide legal advice on marriage or civil partnerships; property aspects of the family through marriage contracts or civil partnership contracts; the moments when the family relationship is ended, in cases such as divorce or separation; and protection of vulnerable people, such as minors or people with modified capacity, through deeds of appointment of guardians or executors or creation of protected assets. We do all of this in a way that makes everyone involved feel equally supported and secure.
Certifications and authentications
It is common knowledge that notaries attest. That important and simple action can guarantee things of vital importance, such as ensuring that the signature on a document is authentic or certifying that a copy of a document matches the original.
At JLA Notarios we will help you to certify a document or notarise a signature in accordance with the law and tailored to your specific needs.
In addition, these notarial procedures can be carried out conveniently through electronic means from 9 November 2023.
Minutes
How many times have you wanted to leave a record of an event, of a statement, of the condition in which an object is found, or notify someone of any matter. To provide a solution to these issues, the Law provides us with notarial records.
At JLA Notarios we adapt to you, reflecting in the record what you require and carrying out the notifications and requests that you demand.
Oath of Nationality
Behind every nationality oath there is a story of overcoming, sacrifice and waiting.
At JLA Notarios we understand what this moment means and offer an empathetic, agile and quick service, advising beyond the oath itself, anticipating the future requirements that the new Spanish citizen will need.
We are your reference Notary to carry out the nationality oath before a Notary in Barcelona.
Apostille of the hague convention
Globalisation enables the free movement of people and documents of all kinds. How can you guarantee that a document has been officially issued? With an apostille of the Hague Convention.
JLA Notarios can obtain an apostille for all documents executed before us so they are valid and recognised abroad. We do this transparently and save you all the bureaucratic procedures involved.
Tax and registry procedures
Tax bureaucracy can cause a lot of headaches.
So JLA Notarios offers its clients the possibility of assessing and paying the many different taxes by the executing deeds and carrying out other procedures before the notary. We can also file them with the Land or Companies Registry so you do not have to concern yourself with it and can spend your time on the things that matter. We support you from start to finish.
