Selling a Chinese Property While in the U.S.? Get Your Power of Attorney Notarized and Apostilled in One Go.

📄 Practical Guide ✏️ 2026 | Gongsitong – Global Notarization & Authentication

"The house is finally sold, and the payment has been received!"

Last week, Mr. Zhang from New York reached out via WeChat. He and his family own a property in China and have long wanted to sell it, but working in the U.S. makes returning home impossible. Previously, he heard that authorizing someone to handle the sale required visiting a Chinese consulate for triple authentication—a costly and cumbersome process—so he kept putting it off.

Now that China has joined the Hague Convention, this can only be done locally in the United States.Notarization of Power of Attorney + Apostilleand successfully sold the property in China.

Many people are in the same situation: living in the U.S. while needing to sell, transfer title, mortgage, or rent out property back home. The most practical and hassle-free solution is to sign a power of attorney.Power of AttorneyHave a trusted friend or lawyer in China handle it on your behalf.

This article will clearly explain how to draft a power of attorney, how to notarize it, and how to complete the Hague Apostille—all in one comprehensive guide.

Why is notarization and Apostille certification required for the power of attorney?

Domestic real estate transactions (buying, selling, transferring title, applying for loans, gifting, etc.) involve significant asset disposition. The Real Estate Bureau, banks, and notary offices all require:

⚠️ If the property owner is not present, a legally authenticated power of attorney must be provided.

From2023-11-7After China's formal implementation of the Hague Convention, power of attorney documents issued in the United States only need to:

🇺🇸 US Notary Public → Secretary of State Apostille

Available for immediate use nationwide.No longer need Chinese Embassy/Consulate authenticationThe process is significantly simplified, with much less time and cost required.

Real-world case: How did Mr. Zhang do it?

Mr. Zhang is in California and owns a property in Shanghai, China. He has authorized his brother to handle the sale on his behalf.

The process is as follows:1. Draft a detailed power of attorney (content is critical) 2. Sign and notarize before a local Notary Public 3. Submit to the California Secretary of State for Apostille certification 4. Have it professionally translated into Chinese 5. Mail back to your brother in China for use

✅ The entire process takes approximately10 business daysThe house was successfully listed, signed, and transferred, with the funds smoothly deposited into his account.

Notarization of Power of Attorney + Apostille Certification: Complete Process(Super Detailed)

Step 1

Draft a Power of Attorney (content is key to success)

The power of attorney must be specific and clear, or the real estate office may not accept it. We recommend including the following key elements:

• Client's name, passport number, national ID number, and address

• Name, ID number, address, and contact information of the trustee (domestic agent)

• Property details: full address, real estate title certificate number, floor area, etc.

• Authorized Items (Must Be Specified Clearly):

  • Sell this property

  • Sign the house sales contract

  • Complete online signing, transfer of title, and tax payment

  • Collect payments on behalf of the seller and issue invoices

  • Handle household registration transfer, utility account transfers, etc. (if needed)

• Term of Appointment (Specify a specific end date or "until the completion of this transaction")

• Do you have the right to sub-delegate?

• Date and place of signature

💡 Friendly Reminder:Please have domestic real estate agents or the housing bureau review the draft first to avoid rework.

Step 2

US Notarization

Bring your original passport to a licensed Notary Public in your area (banks, post offices, or private notaries are all acceptable). Sign the document in person. After verifying your identity, the notary will affix their official seal. Fees typically vary.$10-$25 USD, completed in a few minutes.

(Some states require County Clerk certification before submission to the Secretary of State. Verify requirements in advance.)

Step 3

Get an Apostille

Submit the notarized power of attorney to your state'sSecretary of State。

After authentication, your document will include an official Apostille certificate—the internationally recognized "passport" for your paperwork.

Step 4

Chinese translation

It is recommended to have the document translated after completing the Hague Apostille, ensuring that all seal information on the Apostille is also included. A certified translation from a reputable translation agency is sufficient and widely accepted by most local property bureaus in China.

Step 5

Return to China for use

Mail the original certified documents and their translations to your authorized representative. The representative can then proceed to the local real estate transaction center with their ID, the original property deed, and other required materials to complete the process.

FAQ & Pitfall Avoidance Guide

❓ How long is the power of attorney valid?

Most locations require the document to be issued first.Use within 6 monthsWe recommend visiting during trading hours.

❓ Can notarization be performed remotely online?

Remote Online Notarization (RON) is supported in some states, but acceptance of online notarization varies among domestic institutions. For safety, we recommend choosing an alternative option.In-person notarization。

❓ Can I delegate to multiple people?

Yes, stating "jointly entrusted" or "separately authorized" is sufficient.

Do I need to revoke the power of attorney after selling my house?

It is recommended to complete the process promptly after the transaction.Revoke Declaration(Also requires notarization + Apostille) to avoid future risks.

Final Thoughts

Living in the U.S.? Stop worrying about your property back home. With a properly drafted power of attorney, notarization, and an Apostille certification, you can confidently entrust trusted individuals to handle your affairs.

Gongshitong is an international notary and authentication platform. We are highly experienced in U.S. notarization and authentication processes. With accurate content and correct procedures, our clients consistently achieve successful approvals.

If you're preparing to sell, transfer title, mortgage, or handle other domestic real estate matters, feel free to share your situation in the comments or message us for a reference power of attorney template.

We hope every Chinese American can smoothly handle their property matters back home with peace of mind and ease!

📌 This document is for reference only. Please refer to the latest regulations of your local real estate transaction center for specific requirements. We recommend confirming the file format and content with the receiving unit in China before proceeding.