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IF YOU ARE BUYING A HOUSE IN FRANCE, BUT CANNOT BE THERE IN PERSON TO SIGN, WE LOOK AT WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE READER QUESTION: I AM IN THE PROCESS OF BUYING A PROPERTY IN FRANCE AND PLAN

TO MOVE THERE. HOWEVER, I AM APPLYING FOR MY VISA AT THE SAME TIME. IF I CANNOT GET OVER TO FRANCE TO SIGN THE ACTE DE VENTE MYSELF, COULD SOMEONE DO IT AS A PROXY? IF NOT, IS IT POSSIBLE

TO SIGN AT A DISTANCE FROM THE UK? This is a popular request, and increasingly so in the aftermath of the pandemic. While it is preferable to attend a completion, it is not always

imperative. The _acte de vente_ (final sale deed) is an _acte authentique_, requiring all parties to be present at its signing. By contrast, the _compromis de vente_ (initial sale contract)

does not need to be completed before a notaire and the same requirements may not apply. From a legal standpoint, signing the _acte de vente_ should not therefore be delegated to a proxy.

That said, in practice, notaires will agree to prepare a power of attorney in respect of an _acte de vente_. Where the notaire agrees to this, they will most likely appoint a member of their

staff, such as a clerk, to sign on your behalf. However, some notaires will prefer you to appoint someone other than a member of their office. You might in this case choose a friend or

member of family local to the notaire’s office. The notaire will require you to sign the power of attorney in the presence of a notary public and might request that the document be

‘legalised’ by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. This process involves the affixing of an official seal, known as an apostille, to confirm the document’s authenticity when

presented in another country. As an alternative, it might be more practical to inquire whether the notaire is able to use a video conference platform. During this online meeting they will

ask you to sign the power of attorney and witness your signature. You should be prepared to verify your identity by presenting your passport. RELATED ARTICLES HOW TO FIND THE PRICE OF A

PROPERTY THAT HAS SOLD NEAR YOU IN FRANCE FRENCH PROPERTY TAX: BUYING, SELLING, CAPITAL GAINS, INHERITANCE HOW CAN I GET A COPY OF THE TITLE DEEDS FOR A PROPERTY IN FRANCE?