A power of attorney (POA) lets someone you trust act on your behalf in the UAE — selling a car, signing a tenancy contract, or managing a bank account while you’re abroad. Making one is a formal legal process: the document must be drafted, notarised, and in some cases registered before any authority will accept it.
This guide explains how to make a power of attorney in the UAE step by step, covering notary options, the documents you’ll need, and what to watch out for before you sign.
Quick Answer
To make a power of attorney in the UAE, decide whether you need a general or special POA, draft the document (or have a legal translator/law firm draft it), book a notary appointment at the Department of Justice, a court notary, or an authorised private notary, attend with your Emirates ID and passport, sign in front of the notary, and pay the notary fee. If the POA will be used outside the UAE, it also needs legalisation or an apostille. A special POA limited to one task (e.g., selling a car) is usually cheaper and safer than a general one. If you’re not sure which type fits your situation, start with What Is a Power of Attorney? and the General vs Special Power of Attorney comparison.
How to Make a Power of Attorney in the UAE
Step 1: Decide What the POA Must Cover
Before anything else, write down exactly what you need the agent to do. A POA for selling a specific car needs the car’s plate number and chassis number; a POA for managing a bank account needs the account details; a POA for a court case needs the case reference. Vague wording causes refusals — banks and government departments reject POAs that don’t clearly name the authority being granted.
Also decide whether the POA should be general (broad authority over most affairs) or special (limited to named tasks). For most people, a special POA is the right choice: it limits what the agent can do and is easier to cancel later.
Step 2: Get the Document Drafted
You have three options for drafting:
- Legal translation office / typing centre: the most common route for standard POAs (vehicle sale, tenancy, bank account). They have templates that notaries accept and can prepare bilingual Arabic-English drafts. Note that UAE notaries work in Arabic, so the document must be in Arabic or bilingual.
- A law firm: the right choice for complex or high-value matters such as company formation, litigation, or property deals. More expensive, but the wording is tailored.
- Yourself: risky unless you know the required legal phrasing. A poorly drafted POA is the most common reason documents get rejected at the notary counter.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
Before the notary appointment, gather the identity and supporting documents. The full list is covered in Documents Required for a Power of Attorney, but the essentials are:
- Original Emirates ID and passport of the principal (the person granting the POA)
- Copies of the agent’s ID documents
- Any supporting documents tied to the POA’s subject (e.g., vehicle registration card for a vehicle POA, tenancy contract for a rental POA)
If the POA is being made from outside the UAE, check the Power of Attorney Requirements guide — overseas POAs must be legalised before they are accepted locally.
Step 4: Book a Notary Appointment
In the UAE, a POA is not valid unless it is notarised. Options include:
- Department of Justice / court notary offices: the standard government route in each emirate (e.g., Dubai Courts Notary Public).
- Authorised private notaries: licensed law firms that can notarise documents, often with faster appointments.
- Online notary services: some emirates now allow video-notarisation for straightforward POAs — check the relevant judicial department’s website for current availability.
Book ahead: walk-in slots are limited, and notary offices are busiest early in the week.
Step 5: Attend and Sign Before the Notary
Both the principal and the notary must be present (the agent does not have to attend). The notary verifies your identity, reads back the document’s contents, and confirms you understand what you’re signing — this is a legal safeguard, not a formality. You then sign the document in the notary’s presence, and the notary stamps and seals it.
Read the Arabic text carefully even if you were given an English translation. The Arabic version is the one that governs.
Step 6: Register the POA (If Required)
Notarisation alone is enough for most uses, but some authorities require an extra registration step. Property-related POAs used at the Dubai Land Department, for example, need to be registered there as well — see How to Register a Power of Attorney for which cases need this and how it works.
How Long Does It Take?
A straightforward special POA can be drafted, notarised, and in your hands within a single day if you have all documents ready. Complex POAs drafted by law firms can take several days. Registration at a department like the Land Department typically adds one to a few working days.
How Much Does It Cost?
Expect two cost components: the drafting fee (charged by the typing centre or law firm) and the notary fee (set by the judicial department and varying by emirate and POA type). Typing centres typically charge modest drafting fees for standard templates; law firms charge more for custom drafting. Notary fees are official and published — check the relevant court’s website for the current schedule rather than relying on word of mouth. If the POA needs legalisation for use abroad, attestation fees apply on top; the chain is similar to the standard UAE document attestation process for certificates.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Granting a general POA when a special one would do. A general POA gives the agent sweeping powers — including over bank accounts and property. Limit the scope unless there is a genuine reason for broad authority.
- Missing details in the wording. “Handle my car matters” is not enough; name the vehicle, the plate number, and the specific actions allowed.
- Wrong language. POAs submitted only in English will not be notarised; the document must be in Arabic or bilingual.
- Using an expired or cancelled POA. Always confirm a POA’s status before relying on it.
- Not keeping a certified copy. Keep at least one notarised copy in a safe place; if the original is lost, replacing it is much easier with a copy on hand.
Making a POA While Abroad
You do not need to be in the UAE to create a POA for use there. The usual route is to have the POA drafted, notarised in your country of residence, then legalised (apostille or consular attestation, depending on the country) and translated into Arabic by a UAE-accredited legal translator. Once it arrives in the UAE, it can be presented to the relevant authority. Allow extra time — overseas legalisation can take one to three weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make a power of attorney online in the UAE?
Some emirates offer remote or video notary services for standard POAs, but availability and the types of POA covered change over time. Check the judicial department’s official website for your emirate. High-value or complex POAs still usually require an in-person visit.
Do both parties need to be present at the notary?
No. Only the principal (the person granting the POA) must attend and sign before the notary. The agent’s presence is not required — copies of the agent’s ID documents are enough.
How long is a power of attorney valid in the UAE?
It depends on the type and the authority accepting it. Many government departments treat POAs as valid for a limited period (often around two years) unless the document states an expiry date — check the POA itself first, then confirm with the authority that will accept it.
Can I cancel a POA after making it?
Yes. A POA can be revoked by the principal at any time through a formal cancellation at the notary, followed by notifying the agent and any authorities where the POA was used.
What is the difference between notarisation and registration?
Notarisation is the notary’s certification that you signed the document willingly — it makes the POA legally valid. Registration is an additional step required by some authorities (like the Land Department for property POAs) before they will accept the document. One does not automatically include the other.
Can a company issue a power of attorney?
Yes. Companies regularly issue POAs to managers, lawyers, or PROs. The signatory must have authority to act for the company (usually shown through the trade licence and a board resolution or memorandum), and the company’s documents must be presented at the notary.
The Bottom Line
Making a power of attorney in the UAE comes down to six steps: define the scope, get the document drafted in Arabic or bilingual form, prepare your IDs and supporting papers, book a notary, sign in person, and register the POA wherever the receiving authority requires it. Choose a special POA over a general one whenever possible, read the Arabic text before signing, and keep a certified copy somewhere safe. Done carefully, the whole process can take a single day.
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.