Sign a power of attorney electronically

A power of attorney — or proxy — allows someone to act on your behalf: vote at a general meeting, collect your post, carry out an administrative procedure. It is most often signed without any particular formality, and therefore electronically.

What the law says

An agency mandate, that is to say a power of attorney, is in principle not subject to any form: it can be given in writing, and electronic writing is worth the same as writing on paper (French Civil Code (Code civil), Articles 1984 and 1366). A power of attorney binds only the person who grants it: they alone sign it.

Some powers of attorney do, however, require a particular form. When it relates to a deed that must itself be executed before a notary — a property sale, a gift —, the power of attorney generally must be too. 1-signature does not replace a notarial deed.

Common powers of attorney

• General meeting of a co-ownership, an association or a company: a voting proxy in the name of a representative.
• Administrative procedure: submitting a file, collecting a document on your behalf.
• Collecting a letter or a parcel: often on the carrier's own form, to be checked before signing.

Check each time that the recipient accepts an electronically signed power of attorney: a property manager (syndic), an administration or a bank may have its own requirements.

Which level to choose

• Level 1: for an everyday power of attorney, between people who know each other — a proxy for a general meeting, for example.
• Level 3: your identity is verified by FranceConnect. This is the right choice when the recipient must be able to make sure that the power of attorney really comes from you.

What a power of attorney must say

• Who grants the power, and to whom: last names, first names, and if needed date of birth and address.
• For what: the precise purpose of the power, and its limits.
• For how long: a date, or an event — "for the general meeting of…".

Sign the final version, and send the signed PDF exactly as you downloaded it.