A power of attorney (POA) gives your chosen agent the authority to act in your name — and that authority stays live until it is formally taken away or expires. If your circumstances have changed, the task the POA was created for is finished, or you no longer trust the person you appointed, leaving the document active is a genuine risk. This guide answers one question in full: How to Cancel a Power of Attorney in the UAE — the correct procedure, where to do it, the documents you need, and the crucial follow-up steps that make the cancellation effective in practice.
Cancellation is not just a matter of telling your agent verbally or tearing up your copy. Because banks, land departments, and courts rely on the registered record, you need a formal cancellation recorded with the same authority that registered the POA — otherwise your agent could, in theory, keep using it.
Quick Answer
To cancel a Power of Attorney in the UAE, execute a POA cancellation deed before the notary public or court in the emirate where the POA was registered — you (the principal) appear in person with your ID and the original POA details, sign the cancellation document, and pay the applicable fee. The authority records the cancellation against the original registration number. You must then notify your agent in writing and inform every bank, company, or government department where the POA was used, so they stop accepting it.
Why You Should Cancel a POA Promptly
An active POA is a live legal instrument. As long as it remains registered, your agent can continue to bind you — signing contracts, withdrawing funds, or selling assets in your name. Common reasons to cancel include:
- The task is complete (the property sold, the case closed, the paperwork finished).
- Your relationship with the agent has broken down or you have lost contact with them.
- You appointed a new agent and want a clean handover.
- You suspect — or simply want to rule out — misuse of the powers granted.
- The POA was granted for a fixed purpose and you want to close the door on any wider interpretation of its wording.
Delaying cancellation leaves a window in which the agent can still act with legal cover. If you are unsure whether your POA is still active, our guide on how to verify a power of attorney shows how to check its current status first.
Cancel vs Revoke vs Expire: What Is the Difference?
People use these terms interchangeably, but they describe different things:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cancellation | The formal, recorded act of ending a POA before a notary public or court — the process described in this guide. |
| Revocation | The principal’s decision to withdraw the agent’s authority. In practice, revocation is carried out through the same formal cancellation procedure. |
| Expiry | The POA ends automatically when its stated validity period runs out, or in some cases on the principal’s death or loss of legal capacity. |
For a detailed look at how these interact, see our companion guide on how to revoke a power of attorney and our explainer on power of attorney validity. The key point: a formal cancellation is the only reliable way to end a POA early and have that ending on the official record.
Where to Cancel a Power of Attorney
Cancel with the same type of authority — ideally the same office — that registered the POA:
- Dubai: the Dubai Courts Notary Public that issued the original registration.
- Abu Dhabi: the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department notary services.
- Other emirates: the emirate’s courts or the Ministry of Justice notary office where the POA was registered.
If you have moved emirates since registering, you can generally still cancel at the original office, and many authorities also accept cancellation applications at their other branches. When in doubt, call the authority ahead and confirm which office handles your original registration number. For the broader context of how POAs work across the Emirates, our UAE power of attorney guide is a useful reference.
What You Need to Cancel
The requirements are lighter than registration, but have these ready:
- Your Emirates ID and passport (originals) — only the principal can cancel; the agent’s presence is not required.
- The original registered POA or at least its registration number, date, and issuing office. If you have lost the original POA document, the notary can usually trace it from its registration details.
- A cancellation deed — a short document stating that you withdraw all powers granted under the named POA. Notary offices and typing centres can prepare this, or the office may have a standard form.
- The cancellation fee — typically a modest administrative fee; confirm the current amount with the relevant court or judicial department before visiting.
Step-by-Step: How to Cancel a Power of Attorney
- Prepare the cancellation deed. It should identify you, identify the POA being cancelled (registration number, date, issuing office, agent’s name), and state clearly that all powers granted under it are withdrawn with immediate effect.
- Visit the notary public or court. Go to the authority where the POA was registered, taking your ID and the POA details.
- Sign before the notary. The notary verifies your identity, records the cancellation against the original POA registration, and seals the cancellation deed.
- Pay the fee and collect your copy. Keep the sealed cancellation deed — it is your proof that the POA is dead.
- Notify your agent in writing. Send a written notice (email and, ideally, a signed letter) informing the agent that the POA is cancelled, effective from the cancellation date. Keep proof of delivery.
- Notify every third party. Contact each bank, company, developer, and government department where the POA was used or lodged — this is the step people most often skip, and it is the one that actually stops the POA being honoured in practice.
- Collect or destroy copies. Ask for the return of any copies of the POA held by the agent or third parties where practical, and keep your cancellation deed with your important documents.
Notifying Third Parties: Who to Tell
The formal cancellation ends the POA on the official record, but a bank teller or property clerk who never hears about it may still accept the old document. Work through this checklist:
| Where the POA was used | What to do |
|---|---|
| Banks | Visit each branch or relationship manager with the cancellation deed and ask them to remove the agent’s signing authority from your accounts in writing. |
| Land department (e.g., Dubai Land Department) | Submit a copy of the cancellation deed so the property file is updated — critical if the POA covered a property transfer. |
| RTA / traffic departments | Notify them if the POA covered vehicle registration or fines. |
| Employers, developers, free zones | Send the cancellation deed to any organization holding a copy of the POA. |
| The agent | Written notice as described above — email plus a signed letter, and keep the proof. |
Can You Cancel a POA Online?
Some emirates allow the cancellation application to be started online through the courts’ digital portals — for example, through the official Dubai Courts website — with document upload and fee payment handled digitally. The final step, however, generally still requires the principal’s verified appearance or signature. Check the current options on the relevant authority’s portal before planning your visit.
What If the Agent Refuses to Cooperate?
The agent’s cooperation is not needed. Cancellation is a unilateral act of the principal — the notary does not require the agent’s signature or consent. If you suspect the agent has already misused the POA, keep copies of all evidence and consider consulting a lawyer, since misuse of a power of attorney can have serious legal consequences. General background on the instrument itself is available on Wikipedia’s power of attorney page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I cancel a power of attorney without the agent’s consent?
Yes. Cancellation is the principal’s unilateral right — the agent does not need to agree, sign anything, or even be present at the notary. You do, however, need to notify the agent afterwards so they cannot claim they acted in good faith unawares.
How long does POA cancellation take?
The notary procedure itself is usually completed the same day, often within an hour or two if your documents are in order. The full job — notifying banks and departments — can take several days, so start the notifications immediately.
Does cancelling a POA cost money?
Yes, there is a modest administrative fee set by the relevant court or judicial department. It is generally in the same range as other notary services — confirm the current amount on the authority’s official portal before you go.
What happens to actions the agent took before cancellation?
Actions your agent took while the POA was valid generally remain legally binding on you. Cancellation stops future acts; it does not undo the past. This is why cancelling promptly matters — and why, if you suspect misuse, you should also seek legal advice.
Can a POA be cancelled after the principal’s death?
A POA normally ends automatically on the principal’s death, so no cancellation is needed — though banks and departments may ask for a death certificate before they update their records. See our power of attorney validity guide for how POAs end.
I lost my copy of the POA. Can I still cancel it?
Yes. The notary office can trace the POA from its registration number, date, and the parties’ names. Bring your ID and as many details as you remember; a lost POA document can also be replaced separately through the issuing office.
The Bottom Line
Cancelling a power of attorney in the UAE is a two-part job: first, the formal cancellation deed signed before the notary public or court where the POA was registered; second, written notification to your agent and every bank, company, and department that ever saw the document. The first part takes an hour or two — the second part is what actually protects you, so do not skip it. And if you ever need a refresher on what a POA is and how it works, start with our explainer on what a power of attorney is.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Paxi, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Paxi is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.