Power of Attorney in Dubai: Complete Guide 🥇

Power of Attorney in Dubai: A Practical, Step-by-Step Guide

Why people in Dubai use a Power of Attorney

People in Dubai run busy lives. A person may travel for work. A person may manage assets in more than one country. A person may need help with a bank, a court, or a land office. A Power of Attorney (POA) solves these daily blocks with a lawful tool. A POA lets an agent act for a principal under the law. The agent signs documents in the principal’s name. The agent submits files to offices and portals. The agent completes tasks with clear limits that the POA sets.

A POA protects time and protects value. It reduces risk in high-value deals. It also reduces friction in routine tasks. A correct POA follows the UAE legal framework. A correct POA uses the right form, the right language, and the right notarization flow. When you structure it well, officials accept it without delay. When you record it well, banks and registries process it without complaint.

Core idea behind a Dubai POA

A Dubai POA is a written instrument. The principal grants authority to an agent. The scope may be wide or narrow. The duration may be long or short. The document may work inside the UAE or outside the UAE. The document must respect Arabic language needs and notarization rules. The notary confirms identity. The notary confirms consent. The notary seals the document to make it legally effective.

You choose the scope with care. You list each right with simple words. You track the end date and revocation method. You store copies in safe places. You tell banks and agencies when you change agents. Good governance around a POA prevents disputes and prevents misuse.

Common types of POA in Dubai (clear scopes and simple uses)

1) General Power of Attorney

A General POA grants broad authority. The agent handles many tasks for the principal. The agent manages daily affairs. The agent signs contracts, opens files, and pays bills. The agent can represent the principal in many offices. This tool suits a family head who travels often. This tool suits an investor who runs several assets.

Typical uses

• Manage bank accounts and pay routine expenses.
• Sign tenancy contracts and renew Ejari.
• Represent in utilities and telecom counters.
• Liaise with government portals for routine updates.

Key cautions
You keep a tight list of powers even when broad. You set a clear end date. You track revocation steps in writing. You give copies only to parties who must see it.

2) Special (Limited) Power of Attorney

A Special POA grants narrow authority for one task or one class of tasks. You use it for a property sale. You use it for a car transfer. You use it for a single court action. You use it for a specific bank process. The scope states the asset. The scope states the action. Officials like this form because it reduces risk.

Typical uses

• Sell one property in a named project.
• Register one trademark with a named class.
• Represent in one lawsuit with a named case number.
• Transfer one vehicle with a given plate and chassis.

Key cautions
You keep the language narrow. You include asset identifiers. You set a short validity to match the deal timeline.

3) Corporate Power of Attorney

A Corporate POA authorizes staff or external counsel to act for a company. The board issues it. The authorized signatory signs it. The document aligns with the trade license and the Memorandum/Articles. It helps with government tenders, banking, litigation, and real estate.

Typical uses

• Sign supplier contracts under set limits.
• File corporate tax or VAT submissions.
• Attend notary appointments for share transfers.
• Act before courts or arbitration centers.

Key cautions
You align the POA with board resolutions. You set monetary caps for contracts. You record issuance in the company’s register.

4) Personal Affairs Power of Attorney

A Personal POA supports healthcare and personal banking. It allows a trusted person to manage daily needs. It can support elderly family members. It can support expatriates who travel often.

Typical uses

• Pay school fees and sign permission forms.
• Manage routine health insurance matters.
• Handle credit card settlements and payment plans.
• Receive mail and collect official documents.

Key cautions
You name a trusted adult. You define what the agent cannot do. You keep copies with the family and the clinic.

What makes a POA valid in Dubai (legal pillars)

A valid POA follows four pillars:

1. Capacity: The principal has legal capacity and sound mind.
2. Form: The POA uses clear language and lists powers.
3. Language: The POA is in Arabic or has certified Arabic translation.
4. Notarization: A Dubai notary (or e-notary) notarizes the document.

When a POA originates abroad, you also follow foreign attestation and UAE MOFA attestation. If you plan to use the POA in a land office or a bank, you may also need internal approval or specimen signatures. Plan for those extra checks.

The standard POA process in Dubai (from draft to use)

Step 1: Draft the POA

You write simple clauses. You state the principal’s full name and ID. You state the agent’s full name and ID. You define scope, duration, and limits. You list assets with numbers when possible. You add a revocation clause.

Pro drafting habits

• Use short sentences with one action per line.
• Put monetary caps where money can move.
• Add the emirate where the POA will act.
• Add a clause about no sub-delegation unless you allow it.

Step 2: Translate into Arabic

If the POA is in English or another language, you prepare a legal Arabic translation. You use a certified translator. You keep translator stamps with the file. Notaries in Dubai accept Arabic as the formal version.

Step 3: Notarize the POA

You book an appointment at the Dubai Courts Notary Public or use e-notarization. The principal shows passport/Emirates ID. The notary verifies identity and consent. The notary seals the document. If the agent must appear, you both attend as instructed.

Step 4: Use the POA with the target authority

You present the POA to the authority that needs it. You present banks with the POA and specimen signatures. You present land offices with the POA and title details. You present courts with the POA and the case number. Some authorities scan and keep a copy. Some authorities return the original with a scanned record.

Step 5: Manage renewals, updates, and revocation

You track expiry dates and usage logs. You revoke a POA in writing at the notary. You notify all counterparties about revocation. You keep a register of issued POAs if you run a company.

Documents you prepare for the notary (individuals and companies)

For individuals

• Passport copy and original for the principal.
• Emirates ID copy and original for residents.
• Proof of address if required by the use case.
• Agent’s passport/ID copies for the text of the POA.

For companies

• Trade license copy and establishment card.
• Memorandum and Articles (or constitutional documents).
• Board resolution that authorizes the POA.
• Passport/ID of authorized signatory.
• Company stamp if you use it in your governance.

When the POA is signed outside the UAE (foreign route)

Sometimes a principal signs a POA abroad. In that case, the document must pass a chain of attestations:

1. Notarization in the foreign country.
2. Legalization by the foreign Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
3. UAE Embassy attestation in that country.
4. UAE MOFA attestation on arrival.
5. Certified Arabic translation in the UAE.

You then use the POA in Dubai after these completions. Start early because embassy queues can be long.

Controls that reduce risk of misuse

You can give power, and you can still control risk. Add these simple controls:

• Narrow scope for high-value transactions.
• Short validity for time-bound deals.
• Dual signature requirement for bank powers.
• Monetary caps for payments and transfers.
• No sub-delegation unless you trust the agent to appoint others.
• Usage log to track when and where the POA is used.
• Revocation protocol with a notice list for banks and partners.

Real-life use cases in Dubai (plain and practical)

Property sale while abroad
The owner travels for months. A Special POA names the apartment, the project, and the developer. The agent signs Form F, clears the mortgage, and transfers title.

Corporate contract signings
A company bids in tenders. A Corporate POA allows a manager to sign under a cap. The board sets the limit and the time frame.

Court representation
A litigant appoints a legal consultant or advocate. A Special POA cites the case number and court level. The agent files pleadings and attends hearings.

Family banking and schooling
A parent on frequent travel appoints a spouse. A Personal POA allows school documents, insurance calls, and small bank actions without wire authority.

Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

• Vague scope: Officials reject broad, unclear powers for a specific action. Use clear verbs and asset identifiers.
• Missing Arabic: Notaries need Arabic; get certified translation.
• Expired ID: The principal’s Emirates ID is expired; renew before the appointment.
• No board resolution: Corporate POAs fail without a proper board resolution.
• Forgot revocation: People forget to revoke after closing; always revoke and notify.
• Over-delegation: Don’t grant sub-delegation unless you truly need it.

Digital services and e-notary options

Dubai supports e-notarization for many POA types. The principal joins a video call with the notary. The notary confirms identity and consent on camera. You upload PDFs and pay fees online. This path saves time for people who cannot attend in person. Keep your internet stable. Keep your original IDs ready for the camera.

Governance for companies that issue many POAs

If your company issues many POAs, create a policy:

• Maintain a POA register with scope, dates, and caps.
• Assign one compliance owner to check drafts.
• Use templates with standard clauses and room for limits.
• Review active POAs every quarter and revoke unneeded ones.
• Train managers to refuse signing documents beyond their caps.

This discipline protects the company in audits and disputes.

Costs, timelines, and planning tips

Fees vary with POA type, translation length, and notarization channel. E-notary may reduce travel costs. Foreign attestations add embassy fees and courier cost. Start early for foreign routes. Keep a two-week buffer for local steps. Keep a four-to-six-week buffer for foreign chains.

Save-time checklist

• Prepare IDs and corporate docs in one folder.
• Use short, active verbs in the scope.
• Put asset numbers and contract numbers in the text.
• Book the notary slot before you promise a deal date.
• Carry a pen, a stamp (for companies), and spare photos.

Ethical use and trust building

A POA gives strong power to another person. Choose an agent with care. Choose someone with integrity and with time. Tell the agent to act only within the written scope. Ask for receipts and copies after each use. Build trust with transparency. Good records protect both sides.

What can help — Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing

Your document deserves clear language and clean execution. Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing drafts your POA, arranges certified Arabic translation, and books notarization in person or online. Our team guides foreign attestations and UAE MOFA stamps. Our advisors set scope, caps, and validity with practical limits. We file, we track, and we hand over a ready-to-use pack with copies and logs—because a stitch in time saves nine.

• Visit our office: Saraya Avenue Building – Office M-06, Block/A, Al Garhoud – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
• Contact / WhatsApp: +971 50 276 2132