SIGNING THE DEEDS -THE 'ESCRITURA'
On the day of signing the Escritura all parties selling/buying should attend the Notary Office with their passports, or Residencias if appropriate. If one of the sellers cannot be present, they must arrange a Power of Attorney so the conveyance can be signed on their behalf . This arrangement is also possible for a buyer who cannot be present. However, if the buyer is able to come out to Spain shortly after signing, it is often cheaper and easier for a designated person to sign on their behalf as Verbal Representative. In this instance the absentee buyer prepares and signs a letter of authority for the Representative to sign on their behalf, visiting the Notary office to ratify the Escritura when they are next in Spain.
The main points on the escritura will be read out to you in English, so that the Notary is confident that you fully understand the deal - this can take an hour or two. Only then will the signing take place. Once the Escritura has been signed in the presence of the Notary it is a legally binding document which transfers all title of ownership to the person/s specified in the new Escritura.
