Consulate General in Guangzhou

What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney is a legal instrument through which one person, known as the principal, authorizes another person, known as the attorney-in-fact, to act on their behalf and represent them in specified matters.

Depending on the scope of the authority granted, the power of attorney may be general or special. Its content must be tailored to the acts that the attorney-in-fact will need to perform in Uruguay.

How can a power of attorney be granted abroad?

There are two alternatives:

• Granting it before a Uruguayan consulate.
• Granting it before a Chinese notary public and subsequently having it apostilled for use in Uruguay.

Important note: Before choosing either option, applicants are advised to consult the civil-law notary, attorney, government agency or institution that will receive the power of attorney in Uruguay to confirm its required content and formalities.

Consular jurisdiction

The Consulate General of Uruguay in Guangzhou may authenticate powers of attorney granted by persons located in Guangdong, Fujian, Hunan, Hainan, Guizhou or the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Persons located outside this jurisdiction must contact the corresponding Uruguayan consular office, as indicated in the Consular Map (Mapa Consular).

1. Power of attorney granted before the Consulate

Uruguayan consular officers may authenticate general or special powers of attorney intended to have legal effect in Uruguay.

Who may complete this procedure?

• Adults located within the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Uruguay in Guangzhou who need to authorize another person to act on their behalf in Uruguay.
• The procedure is not limited to Uruguayan nationals.
• When the power of attorney is granted on behalf of a company or another legal entity, sufficient documentation must be submitted to establish its legal existence, good standing and representation.

Requirements

To initiate the procedure, the following must be submitted by email to cgcanton@mrree.gub.uy:

• A copy of the valid identity document or passport of the person granting the power of attorney.
• A copy of the identity document of the person to be designated as attorney-in-fact.
• Marital status, address and other personal details of both parties.
• A draft of the power of attorney in an editable Microsoft Word format, preferably prepared by a civil-law notary or attorney in Uruguay.
• A brief explanation of the procedure or acts for which the power of attorney will be used.
• When acting on behalf of a legal entity, documentation establishing the authority to represent it.

The Consulate does not provide legal advice concerning the authority that should be included in the power of attorney. Applicants are therefore advised to have the draft prepared or reviewed in advance by the professional who will handle the matter in Uruguay.

Once the documentation has been reviewed, the Consulate may request additional information and will arrange an appointment for the power of attorney to be signed.

How is the procedure completed?

The principal must appear in person before the Consulate, present their original identity document and sign the power of attorney in the presence of the consular officer.

The person designated as attorney-in-fact is not required to appear.

What must be done afterward?

For a power of attorney granted before the Consulate to be used in Uruguay:

1. The consular officer’s signature must be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Uruguay (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores).
2. The power of attorney must then be incorporated into a notarial protocol by a Uruguayan civil-law notary.

Important note: The interested person is responsible for sending the original document to Uruguay and arranging both procedures there.

Cost

USD 270, payable in Chinese yuan (RMB). The amount payable in local currency will be determined according to the exchange rate in effect at the time the procedure is completed. Payment must be made by bank deposit using the account details provided on the day of the appointment. In addition, legalization of the signature by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Uruguay (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores) costs approximately USD 8.

2. Power of attorney granted before a Chinese notary public

A power of attorney may also be granted before a notary public in China.

Applicants are advised to obtain the required wording or template in advance from a civil-law notary or attorney in Uruguay to ensure that the document grants the necessary authority and complies with the requirements of Uruguayan law.

Once issued by the Chinese notarial authority, the document must:

1. Be officially translated into Spanish if it was drafted in another language.
2. Be apostilled by the competent Chinese authority.
3. Be incorporated into a notarial protocol by a civil-law notary in Uruguay.