A Power of Attorney (POA) lets someone else act on your behalf to buy or sell property, run your company's day-to-day dealings, manage a bank account, or handle a legal matter without you needing to be physically present for every step. In the UAE, a POA has no legal weight until it's properly drafted and notarized. A signed letter, however clearly worded, won't be accepted by a bank, the Dubai Land Department, or the courts in its place.

Probiz drafts, notarizes, and attests Power of Attorney documents for individuals and businesses across Dubai and the UAE, from our office in Al Barsha. We prepare the document to match exactly what the receiving authority DLD, a bank, MOHRE, or the courts expects to see, so it doesn't come back rejected over a missing clause or an authority that was worded too loosely to act on.

Types of Power of Attorney We Handle

• General Power of Attorney — broad authority to manage your affairs, commonly used by business owners or property investors who travel frequently and need someone to act across multiple matters
• Special (Specific) Power of Attorney — limited to one transaction or purpose, such as selling a specific property, registering a vehicle, or representing you in a single legal case. This is the safer option when you only need authority for one thing, since it limits what the agent can actually do
• Property Power of Attorney — for buying, selling, leasing, mortgaging, or managing real estate through the Dubai Land Department
• Corporate Power of Attorney — authorizes someone to sign contracts, renew trade licenses, open bank accounts, or represent the company before government departments, usually backed by a board resolution
• Legal Power of Attorney — appoints a licensed advocate to file and appear on your behalf in the Dubai Courts
• Medical and Guardianship Power of Attorney — authorizes healthcare decisions or temporary guardianship arrangements

How Power of Attorney Notarization Works

If you're in the UAE, the POA can be notarized in person at a Dubai Courts notary office, through a licensed private notary, or remotely through the Ministry of Justice's E-Notary system, which verifies identity over video call without requiring a physical office visit. The document needs to be in Arabic or bilingual, name both the principal and the agent with passport and Emirates ID details, and clearly define the powers being granted vague wording is one of the most common reasons a POA gets rejected by a bank or the Land Department later.

If you're outside the UAE, the process has an extra layer: the POA is notarized by a local notary in the country you're in, then attested by the UAE Embassy or Consulate there, and finally attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs once it reaches the UAE. Skipping any one of these steps means the document won't be recognized here, no matter how well it was drafted.

How Long a Power of Attorney Stays Valid

Validity depends on the type. A property sale, mortgage, or grant POA is valid for two years from notarization, while a property purchase POA is valid for five years. A legal POA appointing a non-lawyer agent limited to a fourth-degree relative is valid for up to five years. Corporate and general POAs are usually set with a specific expiry or tied to the underlying board resolution or business need. We confirm the correct validity period for your specific POA type before it's notarized, so it doesn't expire mid-transaction.

What a Power of Attorney Costs

Costs vary by type and complexity. A simple special POA notarized through a public notary typically falls in the low hundreds of dirhams. A fully drafted, translated general or property POA through a private notary usually runs higher, depending on scope and whether translation is needed. If the POA needs to be attested for use outside the UAE, attestation adds a separate fee generally lower for GCC countries and higher for use further afield. We give you the exact figure upfront once we know the type of POA and where it's being used, rather than a range that doesn't reflect your situation.

Power of Attorney Services in Al Barsha

Our office is in Al Barsha, and we handle POA drafting and notarization for individuals and businesses in and around the area, including property investors, business owners, and residents managing affairs while traveling. Being local means we can sit down with you in person to go through the exact wording before it's notarized which matters, since a POA that's been notarized with the wrong clause is far harder to fix than getting it right the first time. For clients elsewhere in Dubai, the UAE, or abroad, we manage the same process remotely, including the embassy and MOFA attestation steps for POAs executed outside the country.

FAQs

Is a Power of Attorney legally valid in the UAE without notarization?

No. A POA has no legal effect in the UAE until it's notarized through Dubai Courts, a licensed private notary, or the Ministry of Justice's E-Notary system. An unnotarized document, however well drafted, won't be accepted by banks, the Land Department, or the courts.

What's the difference between a General and a Special Power of Attorney?

A General POA grants broad authority across multiple matters, while a Special POA limits the agent's authority to one specific transaction, such as a single property sale. A Special POA is generally the safer choice when you only need authority for one purpose.

How long is a Power of Attorney valid in the UAE?

It depends on the type. A property sale or mortgage POA is valid for two years, a property purchase POA for five years, and other types are set based on their purpose or an underlying resolution.

Can I get a Power of Attorney notarized without visiting an office in person?

Yes. The Ministry of Justice's E-Notary system allows notarization through a video call, without a physical office visit, for eligible POA types.

What happens if I need a Power of Attorney while I'm outside the UAE?

The POA is notarized by a local notary where you are, attested by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in that country, and then attested again by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs once it reaches the UAE. All three steps are required for it to be legally recognized here.

Can a Power of Attorney be used to sell property in Dubai?

Yes, through a Property Power of Attorney registered with the Dubai Land Department. It must clearly name the property, the agent, and the specific authority being granted.

Can I cancel a Power of Attorney after it's been notarized?

Yes. The principal can revoke a POA at any time through a formal revocation process, which needs to be recorded so the agent's authority is officially terminated.

Do you provide Power of Attorney services outside Al Barsha?

Yes. Our office is in Al Barsha, but we handle POA drafting, notarization, and attestation for clients across Dubai and the wider UAE, and for UAE residents currently abroad.