A Power of Attorney (POA) is a powerful legal document that gives another individual the authority to act on your behalf. Whether you’re managing property, running a business, or dealing with court matters in the UAE, a valid POA is often required. But before it can be legally accepted by UAE authorities, it must go through a formal process known as attestation.
If your Power of Attorney was issued outside the UAE or will be used in official transactions, this article will walk you through everything you need to know about Power of Attorney attestation in the UAE.
⚖️ What is Power of Attorney Attestation?
Attestation is a multi-step process used to verify the authenticity of a legal document, particularly one that was created in another country. In the case of a POA, attestation ensures the document is valid and can be recognized by government entities, courts, real estate departments, and banks in the UAE.
This is especially important for:
- Expats managing affairs from overseas
- Investors granting rights to representatives in Dubai or Abu Dhabi
- Business owners delegating authority
- Legal guardians or family members acting on behalf of others
📋 Why is POA Attestation Required in the UAE?
The UAE requires attestation to prevent fraud and ensure the legitimacy of international or domestic legal instruments. Without proper attestation, your POA will not be accepted for use in official UAE procedures, including:
- Property transactions (buying, selling, or leasing)
- Court representation
- Business licensing or company formation
- Visa and immigration services
- Financial transactions and banking
🧾 Types of POAs That May Require Attestation
Different types of POAs may be subject to attestation:
| Type of POA | Purpose |
|---|---|
| General POA | Broad legal and financial authority |
| Special POA | Limited to specific tasks (e.g., property sale) |
| Property POA | Used for buying, selling, or managing real estate |
| Company POA | Delegating authority for business operations |
| Vehicle POA | Authorizing vehicle transfer or registration |
✅ How to Attest a Power of Attorney in UAE: Step-by-Step
🔹 If the POA is Issued Outside the UAE
- Notarize the POA
- First, have the document notarized by a public notary in the country of origin.
- Attestation from Home Country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Get the document stamped by your country’s foreign affairs office.
- UAE Embassy Attestation
- Visit or send the document to the UAE embassy or consulate in your country for their stamp.
- MOFA Attestation in UAE
- Once in the UAE, submit the document to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) for final attestation.
- Legal Arabic Translation
- The document must be translated into Arabic by a certified translator.
- Dubai Courts or Local Notary Public Validation
- The final step is legalizing the document through a notary in the relevant emirate.
🔹 If the POA is Created Within the UAE
- Draft the POA
- Work with a legal advisor to prepare the document according to UAE law.
- Translate to Arabic (if not already)
- All POAs must be in Arabic or have an approved Arabic version.
- Sign Before Notary Public
- Attend a session with the Dubai Notary Public or a notary office in your emirate for signature and legal authentication.
📌 Documents Required for POA Attestation
- Original Power of Attorney
- Valid passport copies of the principal and agent
- Emirates ID (if the principal or agent is a UAE resident)
- Proof of residency (visa or utility bill)
- Any supporting legal documents related to the POA
🌐 Remote Attestation in the UAE
Thanks to the UAE’s e-government services, remote POA notarization is now available. This allows residents and non-residents to:
- Book video calls with notaries
- Sign documents digitally
- Complete attestation without visiting an office
However, remote services still require Arabic translation and MOFA validation for foreign-issued POAs.
⚠️ Important Considerations
- Only attested POAs are legally valid in UAE courts, land departments, and banks
- A POA can be revoked anytime with a revocation notice to the notary public
- Attested POAs typically have a limited validity (2 to 5 years depending on type)
- Avoid generic templates—each POA should be tailored to your exact needs
🧠 Final Thoughts
A Power of Attorney attestation in the UAE is not just a formality—it’s a crucial legal requirement to ensure your document has full legal standing. Whether you’re abroad delegating responsibilities or residing in the UAE managing property or business, properly attesting your POA helps you act with confidence and avoid complications.
Tip: When in doubt, consult a UAE-licensed legal expert to handle the drafting and attestation process from start to finish.