A General Authorization Letter lets you designate another person to perform specific tasks on your behalf that do not require a formal Power of Attorney. It is ideal for authorizing someone to pick up documents, receive important packages, handle simple errands on your behalf, or represent your interests in minor matters. Bilingual, $49.
Use an Authorization Letter when: you authorize someone to pick up your passport, visa, or immigration documents, leave a package with a neighbor for them to receive in your absence, authorize a family member to pick up your kids from school or doctor, designate someone to represent you at a simple meeting (school, neighborhood), authorize a person to receive your certified mail, or allow a family member to represent your interests in minor banking errands. It is LESS formal than a Power of Attorney — for important financial matters, use a Limited Power of Attorney ($99).
Authorization Letters are widely accepted in California for non-critical tasks. NOT useful for: opening bank accounts, transferring property, signing contracts for you, authorizing medical treatment, representing you in court. For those tasks, use a General Power of Attorney ($149) or Limited ($99). The Authorization Letter is the right tool for smaller everyday tasks where a full Power of Attorney would be excessive.
A Power of Attorney is for important legal/financial matters and must be notarized. An Authorization Letter is for minor everyday tasks and generally does NOT require a notary.
For minor tasks, no. For matters where the other party (school, doctor, bank) demands more formality, yes — but then consider using a Limited Power of Attorney instead.
Generally yes, but depends on the receiving institution. Some institutions only accept documents from their own state.
You decide the validity date. Common is valid only for the specific task or 30-90 days.
Only $49.
The Authorization Letter is informal — for small tasks like picking up a package, picking up school documents, authorizing short child travel with family. Does NOT serve for banking, property, or formal legal transactions. For that you need Power of Attorney.
NOT mandatorily. Most small institutions accept Authorization Letter with just your signature and copy of your ID. If the institution requests a notary, you are using the wrong document — you probably need Power of Attorney.
You decide in the document. For one-off tasks (pick up package), valid only that day. For recurring tasks (pick up child at school), typically valid for the school year.
Multi Servicios 360 is a self-help legal document preparation platform. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice.
Multi Servicios 360 | www.multiservicios360.net | 855.246.7274
Additional legal documents that clients in your situation frequently request with Multi Servicios 360, a self-help legal document preparation platform.
Multi Servicios 360 es una plataforma tecnológica de autoayuda que permite a las personas preparar sus propios documentos legales. No somos un bufete de abogados, no actuamos como abogados, no redactamos documentos por usted, y no brindamos asesoría legal ni recomendaciones sobre qué documentos legales son apropiados para su situación específica. Si necesita asesoría legal, debe consultar a un abogado licenciado en California.