Question:

Can a husband who desires to give a Get to his wife who is overseas appoint a Shliach to arrange the Get on his behalf [i.e. Sofer, Eidim, a Shliach Holacha], via telephone or must he appoint them in person, face to face?

Answer:

This matter is debated amongst the Poskim based on the question of whether it is necessary for the person’s actual physical voice to be heard to have a valid power of attorney for Gittin, which is not fulfilled through telephone. This debate applies to appointing both the person to arrange the Get, the Sofer, the Eidim, and Shliach Hovah or Holcha. The position of the Rebbe is that it is invalid. [However, a woman may appoint a Shliach Kabalah to receive her Get.]

See Encyclopedia Talmudit Vol. 18 p. 757 Nispach Lierech Chashmal; Beis Yitzchak E.H. 2:12-13; 53; Chazon Ish E.H. 85; Shearim Hametzuyanim Behalacha Shabbos 77:4; Beir Moshe 7 Kuntrus Elektri 33; Mishneh Halachos 14:113; Chashmal Behalacha 1:210 Chapter 17; Techumin 14:276; Yashiv Yitzchak 44:86; Minchas Asher 2:96 Poskim who rule valid: Aruch Hashulchan E.H. 140:18 [regarding Sheliach Kabalah]; Shaareiy Deiah 1:194; Maharshag 2:250; Yam Hagadol E.H. 82; Minchas Shlomo 66; Igros Moshe E.H. 1:116; O.C. 100; 4:91-4; Rav Elimelech Shechter in Koveitz Kevod Harebbe p. 268, and in name of Rav Moshe Feinstein and Rav Y.B. Soloveichik; Yabia Omer 10 E.H. 18; Beis Avi 1:125; Poskim in Encyclopedia ibid footnote 87;  Invalid: Tzitz Eliezer 10:47; 22:72; Rebbe in Igros Kodesh 23:304; 34:333; Likkutei Sichos 9:336; 21:496