How to Get a Power of Attorney in the UAE

A complete step-by-step guide to obtaining a legally valid Power of Attorney in the UAE — from choosing the right type to notarization and beyond.

Quick Summary

To get a Power of Attorney in the UAE: (1) decide the type of POA you need, (2) choose your attorney, (3) prepare your documents, (4) have the POA drafted in Arabic and English, (5) visit a UAE Notary Public for notarization, and (6) collect your certified POA. The process typically takes 1–3 business days with Al Ishrat handling all formalities.

What is a Power of Attorney (POA) in the UAE?

A Power of Attorney (POA), known in Arabic as Wakala, is a legally binding document that authorises another person (the attorney or agent) to act on your behalf for specific or general matters. In the UAE, POAs are governed by the UAE Civil Transactions Law (Federal Law No. 5 of 1985) and must be notarized by a UAE Notary Public to be legally valid.

POAs are used extensively in the UAE for property transactions, business operations, government dealings, vehicle transfers, visa processing, and many other situations where the principal cannot or prefers not to be physically present. This guide walks you through the complete process of obtaining a POA in the UAE.

Types of POA Available in the UAE

General Power of Attorney

Broad authority across financial, legal, property, and personal matters

Validity: 2 years (renewable)

Best for: Long-term delegation to a trusted person

Special / Limited POA

Specific, defined purpose only (e.g., one property sale)

Validity: Until the purpose is fulfilled

Best for: One-time transactions or specific tasks

Business / Corporate POA

Company management, contracts, government dealings

Validity: 2 years (renewable)

Best for: Companies needing a local representative

Property POA

All property-related transactions in the UAE

Validity: Specified in the document

Best for: Real estate buyers, sellers, and investors

Step-by-Step: How to Get a POA in UAE

1

Decide What Type of POA You Need

The first step is to determine the scope of authority you want to grant. Ask yourself: • Do you need someone to manage everything on your behalf, or just one specific task? • Is this for personal matters, business operations, or property? • Will the POA be used in the UAE only, or also internationally? If you need the POA for a single transaction (like selling your car or completing one property deal), a Special POA is sufficient. For ongoing management of your affairs, a General POA is more appropriate.
2

Choose Your Attorney (the Person You Are Authorising)

The "attorney" in a POA is the person you are authorising to act on your behalf — not a lawyer, just a trusted individual or entity. This could be a friend, family member, colleague, or a professional agent like Al Ishrat. Your attorney must: • Have a valid UAE passport or residence visa • Be willing to accept the responsibility • Be clearly identified by their full legal name and passport/ID details in the POA document
3

Prepare the Required Documents

To get a POA notarized in the UAE, you typically need: • Your original valid passport • Your Emirates ID (if a UAE resident) • Passport copy of the person being appointed (the attorney) • Emirates ID of the attorney (if a UAE resident) • Property documents or vehicle registration (for property/vehicle-specific POAs) • Company trade licence (for business POAs)
4

Draft the POA Document

The POA must be written in Arabic (the official language of UAE law). An English translation is prepared alongside it. The document must clearly state: • Full names and identification details of both parties • The exact scope and limitations of the authority granted • The duration of the POA • Any specific conditions or restrictions Al Ishrat drafts all POAs in Arabic and English, ensuring the wording is legally precise and covers all necessary provisions.
5

Visit the UAE Notary Public

The POA must be notarized at a UAE Notary Public office or a Ministry of Justice-authorised notarization centre. Both the principal (you) and the attorney may need to be present, depending on the type of POA. At the notary, you will: • Present your original identification documents • Have the POA document verified and stamped • Pay the notarization fee (varies by POA type and authority) Al Ishrat can attend the notary on your behalf (with a preliminary authorisation) for certain POA types, saving you time.
6

Collect Your Notarized POA

Once notarized, you receive the official POA document bearing the Notary Public's stamp and signature. This document is now legally valid for use in the UAE. If the POA is to be used outside the UAE, it will also need MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) attestation and possibly apostille certification — Al Ishrat handles this additional step as well.

POA Costs in the UAE

POA costs in the UAE depend on the type of POA, the notarization centre, and any additional services required. Here are approximate costs:

Notary Public base feeAED 150 – AED 500
General POA (all purposes)AED 300 – AED 1,000
Special / Limited POAAED 150 – AED 400
MOFA attestationAED 150 – AED 300
Certified Arabic-English translationAED 100 – AED 300
Al Ishrat service feeCompetitive — contact for exact quote

* Fees vary and are subject to change. Contact Al Ishrat for an exact, up-to-date quote for your specific situation.

Common POA Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using a non-notarized POA for official UAE transactions
  • Granting overly broad authority without clear limitations
  • Using a POA that has expired without renewal
  • Not including the attorney's correct identification details
  • Using an English-only POA without an Arabic version
  • Forgetting to revoke a POA when no longer needed

Why Use Al Ishrat for Your UAE POA?

Over 10 years of experience with UAE POA and legal documentation

All POAs drafted in Arabic and English by certified experts

We attend the Notary Public on your behalf where permitted

Same-day POA notarization available for urgent needs

We handle MOFA attestation and apostille for international use

Transparent pricing — no hidden fees

Document collection and delivery across Dubai and UAE

98% success rate with zero re-submissions due to errors

Ready to Get Your POA?

Skip the complexity. Al Ishrat handles your entire POA process — drafting, notarization, and delivery. Contact us for a free consultation.

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Al Ishrat Document Clearing Service

Al Karama · Dubai, UAE · Plus Code: 68P3+9H6

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Al Karama, Dubai, UAE

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