Glossary · Legal process & title
Apostille
Definition
The apostille is the international certification (Hague Convention) that validates one country's public documents for use in another. Panama is a member: foreign powers of attorney, certificates, and records must be apostilled to have legal effect in the country.
In practice
In real estate practice it appears at three moments: the power of attorney for a buyer or seller signing remotely, corporate documents when purchasing through a foreign company, and the personal certificates banks request to approve a non-resident mortgage. Each country issues it through a different office (secretary of state, foreign ministry, notarial colleges); it's usually quick, but run it in parallel with the rest of the file so it never stalls the closing.
Related terms
General information, not legal or tax advice. Every transaction is confirmed with an attorney and accountant.
Term reviewed as of July 2026 · Vaca Group Real Estate, Lic. PN 5904