A power of attorney for India can be signed before a Sri Lankan notary, authenticated by the Consular Affairs Division in Colombo and attested by the Indian High Commission or a Consulate. Indian citizens can sign directly before the Indian consular officer. The power is stamped in India within three months, and a Sri Lankan citizen still needs RBI permission before it is used to buy or sell property.
- Document route
- Sri Lankan notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation, then Indian mission attestation
- Time difference
- IST and Sri Lanka time are the same all year
- Recognition
- Section 33, Registration Act 1908
- Authentication
- Indian mission, or notary plus apostille
Power of Attorney from Sri Lanka: how it works
We draft the power around one transaction or purpose, such as selling a named flat in Chennai, letting a house in Kochi, operating an NRO account or appearing in a pending case. Sub-registrars and banks prefer specific powers, and a narrow power is also safer for you. We include the property description exactly as in the title deed and the attorney holder's identity details.
Once the attested original arrives in India, we arrange stamp duty adjudication and, for property, authentication or registration in the format the local office requires. Tamil Nadu and Kerala offices often want photographs and identity proofs of both parties annexed, so we prepare these in advance and guide the attorney holder through the transaction.
What clients in Sri Lanka should know
- Indian citizens save time by signing at the Indian mission rather than going through a Sri Lankan notary and the Ministry.
- Direct that sale money is paid only into your own NRO or NRE account.
- For Sri Lankan citizens, a power of attorney does not replace RBI permission to transfer property.
Step by step from Sri Lanka
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Sri Lanka, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation, then Indian mission attestation
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Sri Lanka where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Sri Lanka. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Power of Attorney, or see all services for clients in Sri Lanka and the Inheritance & Documents practice area.
Questions from clients in Sri Lanka
Is a Sri Lankan notarised power valid in India?
Yes, once authenticated by the Ministry, attested by the Indian mission and stamped in India within three months.
Can I sign at the Consulate in Jaffna?
Indian citizens usually can sign before the consular officer there, subject to its current appointment procedure.
Can the attorney holder register the sale deed in India?
Yes, if the power specifically authorises it and has been authenticated as the sub-registrar requires.