Are foreign powers of attorney valid in Ontario?

Asked by: Ryann Kling MD  |  Last update: November 18, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (73 votes)

Section 85 of the Substitute Decisions Act states that a power of attorney is valid in Ontario if it complies with the internal law of (i) the place where it was executed; (ii) the place where the grantor was domiciled; or (iii) the place where the grantor was habitually resident.

Can a US power of attorney be used in Canada?

Most provinces recognize a foreign PoA. Therefore, in Canada most American PoAs are recognized. However, the reverse isn't true; each state has different rules.

Can a foreign power of attorney be used in the US?

Here are the main steps to get you the Power of Attorney

Validate the Power of Attorney so that it is legally acceptable in the U.S. or any other foreign country (for a document to be used in the U.S. this means acquire an apostille certificate); Provide a certified legal translation.

What are the rules for power of attorney in Canada?

The following are some of the common requisites for a power of attorney to be valid according to Canadian laws:
  • maker must be of sound mind and of legal age.
  • must be signed at the end by the maker, which must be witnessed by two capable persons.
  • must be signed by the witnesses, in the presence of the maker and each other.

Does a PoA need to be notarized in Ontario?

No, it is not a legal requirement in Ontario for powers of attorney to be signed by a notary. However, it is a very good idea to get your powers of attorney notarized. Many organizations, such as banks and financial institutions, will not accept a power of attorney that is not notarized.

Power of Attorney issues in Ontario

39 related questions found

What are the three types of power of attorney in Ontario?

Key takeaways
  • A Power of Attorney (POA) appoints someone to make decisions for you.
  • Ontario has two types of POAs: POAs for personal care and POAs for property.
  • You can decide the scope of how your attorney is allowed to act in each of your POA documents.

Who can override a power of attorney in Ontario?

Yes, you can revoke your will or power of attorney documents in Ontario. Outside of revoking your own POAs, your POA can also be overridden or revoked through court by your next of kin or another concerned party (such as your attending healthcare or long-term care providers) if there are just grounds for it.

What is an international power of attorney in Canada?

An international power of attorney gives power to someone who resides in another country. If you've moved to Canada from another country, but still have financial interests, property or a business there, or you've bought property abroad, you may need to appoint a representative to manage matters on your behalf.

Can a POA withdraw money from a bank account?

Through the use of a valid Power of Attorney, an Agent can sign checks for the Principal, withdraw and deposit funds from the Principal's financial accounts, change or create beneficiary designations for financial assets, and perform many other financial transactions.

What is a power of attorney not allowed to do?

The POA cannot transfer the responsibility to another Agent at any time. The POA cannot make any legal or financial decisions after the death of the Principal, at which point the Executor of the Estate would take over. The POA cannot distribute inheritances or transfer assets after the death of the Principal.

How to make a power of attorney from overseas?

How can an overseas power of attorney be created? Overseas powers of attorney can be created in either of two ways: overseas attorney - if the power of attorney is created in the foreign jurisdiction, it can be drawn up according to local laws. However, it should be signed in the presence of a relevant notary.

Which states accept foreign lawyers?

New York, California, Texas, Alabama, and Virginia are some of the states that let foreign law graduates sit for the bar exam. In this instance, foreign-educated attorneys must begin the process by having the American Bar Association (ABA) evaluate their law degrees.

Is a power of attorney valid in all states?

Generally, a power of attorney that is valid when you sign it will remain valid even if you change your state of residence.

Is a US power of attorney valid in another country?

It is normal practice to authorise special powers of attorney abroad by signing a power of attorney document. If the document is being signed for use abroad, it must be notarised by a Notary Public in order to be accepted.

Can a power of attorney transfer money to themselves in Ontario?

In Ontario, there are restrictions on the types of financial transactions that a power of attorney can carry out. In general, the principal's money or property cannot be transferred to themselves by either type of power of attorney.

What are the four types of power of attorney?

A power of attorney (POA) is an estate planning document that grants another person, called the agent or attorney-in-fact, the authority to act on your behalf. In California, there are four main types of POAs, each offering a specific scope of decision-making power: general, durable, limited, and medical.

What three decisions cannot be made by a legal power of attorney?

When someone makes you the agent in their power of attorney, you cannot:
  • Write a will for them, nor can you edit their current will.
  • Take money directly from their bank accounts.
  • Make decisions after the person you are representing dies.
  • Give away your role as agent in the power of attorney.

Can POA spend money on themselves?

The only circumstances that potentially would allow a power of attorney to take money for personal use would be if the principal (given they have capacity) were to provide them with express authorization to spend money on themselves, or if they were to take a fee for their services.

Is it better to have a POA or joint bank account?

One major drawback of joint bank accounts is the automatic transfer of ownership upon the death of one account holder. This can bypass the deceased's will and complicate estate planning. A POA does not grant ownership; it merely allows the agent to act on behalf of the principal.

How do I authenticate a power of attorney in Canada?

To authenticate and legalize a copy of a Power of Attorney, you will first need a Certified True Copy made by a Canadian Notary Public. Contact our friendly specialists for more information on authenticating and legalizing (or apostille) your Power of Attorney.

How much does it cost to get a power of attorney in Ontario?

How much does it cost to get a power of attorney in Ontario? The legal fees of a power of attorney in Ontario are usually calculated based on the document you want to authorize to a lawyer. The price can range anywhere from $100 to $300 per document.

Can a bank refuse to honor a power of attorney in Canada?

Banks want to ensure that anyone acting with or for their customer has proper legal authority. A power of attorney is a legal document, but banks (and any third parties) aren't legally required to accept a power of attorney if they don't feel comfortable doing so.

Does next of kin override power of attorney in Canada?

There are also cases where a next of kin or other concerned party can reach out to the courts to overturn a power of attorney.

Can two siblings have power of attorney?

Legal frameworks typically permit multiple agents, including siblings, to hold power of attorney jointly. However, specific requirements and limitations vary by jurisdiction. It's essential for siblings to draft a clear POA document, outlining their roles and responsibilities.

Does marriage override a power of attorney?

Can a spouse override power of attorney? As a legal designation, power of attorney always takes precedence over the wishes of a spouse. If one has concerns about their partner's chosen agent, they'll still need to follow the steps outlined above.