How to 办理国内委托公证(for example - 出售房子)

If you only have one document, it might be okay to use a 代办公司 which charges about $120 - $150 per document.  But if you have a few documents, you probably want to do it yourself.  

For US citizens, the Chinese embassy does 认证, and for Chinese citizens, they do 公证.  Also, you don't have to start from the state you live.  Here are the steps to follow.  

1. Follow the format on the Chinese Embassy website to prepare your documents in both Chinese and English (the US State Department requires English). I put both Chinese and English on the same page with translation paragraph by paragraph..

2. Take your document to a notary public in DC to have your signature notarized.  The notary can be one in your bank for free or in the UPS store for $2. I used a UPS store that opened before my bank so that I could get everything done on the same day.  Also in case you don't know yet, you can use your cell phone to pay for the street parking.

3. Take the document to the DC government where the notary's seal and signature are authenticated.

The Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications commissions District of Columbia

441 4th Street, NW

Suite 810 South
Washington, DC 20001

4. Take the document to the US State Department where they authenticate the DC government's authentication.

U.S. Department of State
Authentications Office
518 23rd Street, NW - SA-1
Columbia Plaza

Washington, DC 20520

5. Take the document to the Chinese Embassy to 认证 the US State Department's authentication.

You should always specify the 有效期 in your 委托书.  For example, you want to say that it is valid until the matter (like 出售房子) you want to 委托 is complete.