A power of attorney (POA) lets another person act for you. In the UAE it is notarised by a notary public: through the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and licensed private notaries under Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022, through Dubai Courts in Dubai, or through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) in Abu Dhabi. UAE consuls abroad can also act as notaries. A POA signed before a foreign notary usually needs attestation through the UAE Mission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before it is used here.
Who this guide is for
- Residents who need someone to sell property, run a case, deal with a car or handle paperwork while they are away.
- People abroad who need to appoint someone in the UAE.
- Anyone who wants to cancel a POA they gave earlier.
This guide explains the process in general terms. The authority that will rely on the POA, such as a land department, court or bank, may have its own requirements. A will is a separate document with its own process; see will registration in the UAE.
General or special POA?
The ADJD's notary guidance manual (July 2023) describes the two main types:
- General POA. The principal appoints another person to act for them "in every permissible and known matter".
- Special (limited) POA. It is limited to a subject, such as real estate, vehicles, shares, companies, litigation, inheritance or personal status matters.
The same manual says any act that transfers ownership or creates a mortgage must be defined in the POA, with the type and location of the act. In practice this means a general POA may not be enough for selling or mortgaging property. The ADJD also caps most POAs at three calendar years from notarisation.
Where can I notarise a POA?
Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022 on the Notary Profession applies across the UAE, including free zones, except local judicial authorities that regulate notaries under their own laws (Article 2). Notary work may be done by a public notary, a private notary or an accredited UAE consul (Article 3), and a notary may complete transactions by information technology without the parties attending in person (Article 18).
| Channel | Where | What we verified |
|---|---|---|
| MOJ notaries and e-notary system | Federal system and online | In 2023 the MOJ said its digital POA service covers legal cases, real estate, rental disputes, licensing, vehicles, stocks and company management. Fees are set by Cabinet Resolution No. 19 of 2024; private notaries add 30% to most fees as their charge (Article 2) |
| Dubai Courts notary public | Dubai | The Dubai Courts service page lists AED 100 per party plus AED 20 knowledge and innovation fees, through the website (registration needed) or service centres. Online use needs a valid Emirates ID; passport-only holders attend in person |
| ADJD notary | Abu Dhabi | Online application, then a remote meeting with the notary; AED 100 for each year of validity, plus AED 500 if signature authorisation is added (July 2023 manual). Confirm the current fee |
| UAE embassy or consulate | Abroad | Consuls may act as notaries under Article 3. Check with the mission what it offers |
If you are unsure which notary channel applies to you, ask the MOJ or the local court. For the court systems in general, see our guide to which UAE court handles your case.
Which POA for which task?
| Task | What to know |
|---|---|
| Selling or buying property | Use a POA that names the act and the property. A Dubai Land Department sale service page asks for a legal POA where someone acts for the buyer or seller. The ADJD real estate POA asks for the title deed or similar proof. Check with the land department before signing |
| Court case | Often a POA to a licensed lawyer. At the ADJD, a litigation POA to someone who is not a lawyer must be to a relative up to the fourth degree, and a lawyer's POA can last up to five years |
| Car | The ADJD offers a POA limited to vehicles. Check with the licensing authority what it accepts |
| Bank account | We found no single official rule. Ask your bank what wording it accepts before you notarise |
| Tenancy registration | Dubai Land Department says a Dubai-issued POA can be entered by its number, but one from another emirate must be attached |
What if I am abroad?
You have two main options:
- Use a UAE mission. Ask the UAE embassy or consulate whether it can notarise the POA.
- Use a local notary, then attest. Dubai Courts' service page asks for documents issued abroad to be attested by the foreign ministry of that country, the UAE embassy there, and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says documents issued outside the UAE are attested through selected UAE Missions abroad, some of them online.
Documents not in Arabic need a legal translation. Dubai Courts asks for a translation certified by the MOJ; the ADJD asks for a certified translator.
How do I revoke a POA?
The ADJD describes a revocation service: you can remove your attorney whenever you wish, provided the POA was not issued for the attorney's own benefit and does not involve a third party's right. You may revoke it fully or partly, and you must notify the attorney. The fee in the 2023 manual was AED 100. In other emirates, ask the notary that issued the POA. Then tell anyone who relies on it, such as your bank or the land department, and keep proof.
Step by step
- Decide the task and whether a special POA is needed.
- Ask the receiving authority what wording, validity and format it accepts.
- Choose the notary channel for your emirate, or a UAE mission if abroad.
- Prepare IDs and supporting papers, such as a title deed or vehicle registration.
- Submit online or in person, attend the remote or in-person meeting and pay the fee.
- Collect the notarised POA and keep a digital copy.
- Attest and translate any POA made abroad before using it here.
- Revoke it formally when it is no longer needed.
Documents checklist
- Emirates ID or passport for each party
- Draft wording of the powers you want to give
- Title deed, vehicle registration, trade licence or case details, as relevant
- Lawyer's licence card, for a litigation POA to a lawyer
- Proof of relationship, if the attorney must be a relative
- Legal translation of any non-Arabic document
- Attestation stamps for documents issued abroad
Common mistakes
- Using a general POA for a property sale. Ownership transfers must be defined.
- Letting it expire. Check the validity period before a transaction.
- Skipping attestation for a POA signed abroad.
- Not revoking properly. Use the notary's revocation service and keep proof, rather than just asking for the document back.
- Giving wide powers without need. Limit the POA to the task.
When to speak to a licensed lawyer
Get advice before you sign a POA for a property sale, a large bank transaction or a company, or if you think someone is misusing a POA. The free case check can help you set out the facts first, and CaseDaleel can introduce an independent licensed professional only if you choose. If you are preparing for a meeting, see how to prepare for a first meeting with a UAE lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make a POA online in the UAE?
Yes, the MOJ runs a digital POA and e-notary system, and the ADJD uses an online application followed by a remote meeting with the notary.
How much does a POA cost?
It depends on the channel; for example, the ADJD's 2023 manual lists AED 100 per year of validity, and Dubai Courts lists AED 100 per party plus AED 20 as of September 2026, so confirm current fees.
How long is a POA valid?
The ADJD sets a maximum of three calendar years for most POAs, and five years for litigation POAs to lawyers; other channels may differ.
Can I sign a POA at a UAE embassy?
Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022 lists accredited UAE consuls among those who may do notary work, so ask your nearest mission.
Is a POA from Abu Dhabi valid in Dubai?
Dubai Land Department accepts POAs from other emirates for tenancy registration if attached, but check with the authority that will rely on it.
Can I cancel a POA without the attorney's agreement?
The ADJD says you can revoke it at any time unless it was issued for the attorney's benefit or involves a third party's right, and you must notify the attorney.
Official sources
- Ministry of Justice — E-Notary System
- Dubai Courts — Power of Attorneys Ratification
- Abu Dhabi Judicial Department — Notarisation and Attestation Services Guidance Manual (July 2023)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Attestation of official documents and certificates
- UAE Legislation — Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022 on the Notary Profession (Arabic)
General information, not legal advice. CaseDaleel is not a law firm.