A power of attorney in Dubai lets a named representative act on your behalf within the authority you give them. The right document depends on the task, the organisation receiving it and where it will be signed. Choosing a broad template before answering those questions can leave you paying to correct a document that does not cover the transaction.
Whether you are arranging a property transfer, managing company administration or handling an individual matter from overseas, start with the actions your representative needs to perform. Then confirm the supporting documents, notarisation route and full cost.
General or special power of attorney: which fits the task?
The practical distinction is scope. A general power of attorney addresses a wider range of affairs; a special power of attorney sets out a defined matter or transaction. Neither label gives a representative unrestricted authority. For Dubai property transactions, Dubai Land Department confirms that the representative acts within the powers written in the document.
| Your situation | What to discuss when preparing the POA |
|---|---|
| Routine administration while you are away | Identify the departments, documents and management tasks the representative may handle. |
| Buying or selling a property | Specify the transaction and property details required by the receiving authority; address signing, transfer and payment-related actions separately. |
| Company administration | Define the company, intended acts and evidence that the person granting authority can represent it. |
| Banking or an individual transaction | Ask the receiving institution what wording and supporting evidence it accepts before signing. |
For example, authorising someone to manage an apartment should not be treated as permission to sell it. The wording must match the intended act. A narrowly defined task also gives the recipient a clearer basis for checking the representative's authority.
Documents to prepare for a Dubai power of attorney
The Dubai Courts Smart Electronic Notary guidance lists Emirates ID or passport evidence and supporting records where someone acts in a representative capacity. It also identifies a trade licence for company-related powers of attorney and a registration certificate for trademark matters.
Build your preparation file around the actual transaction:
- Confirm the principal's and representative's names against their identity documents.
- Prepare the proposed text and a clear list of permitted actions.
- Gather company authority records or asset documents where relevant, and confirm the exact checklist with the notary.
- Identify documents issued overseas so their attestation requirements can be checked early.
For language requirements, Article 27 of Dubai's notary law provides for Arabic instruments, with specified bilingual or translated arrangements. Agree the accepted format before commissioning a translation.
Can you arrange a power of attorney online?
Electronic channels exist, but eligibility and the signing procedure depend on the service used. Dubai Courts describes electronic submission, supporting-document review, identity and capacity checks, payment and certification through its Smart Electronic Notary system. This does not mean every applicant or document can follow an identical remote route.
Separately, the Ministry of Justice digital POA service uses UAE PASS for application and signing. Confirm the appropriate authority for your document rather than assuming the federal and Dubai services have interchangeable requirements.
Using a power of attorney signed outside the UAE
Notarisation, foreign-document attestation and translation are separate steps. A translation communicates the text; it does not replace the required authentication of signatures and seals.
For its property transactions, DLD describes a foreign-issued POA route involving the notary and foreign ministry in the issuing country, the UAE embassy there and UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation. For other uses, confirm the route for the document and country with the relevant UAE mission and receiving authority.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation service explains the authentication process. Check the wording before paying for the chain: attestation cannot add a missing power.
How much does a power of attorney in Dubai cost?
Ask for an itemised quotation. The Dubai government notary fee schedule under Executive Council Resolution No. 72 of 2025, issued on 15 September 2025, lists AED 100 per signature attested on a general or special power of attorney. The resolution separately addresses private-notary fees.
That published fee is one component, not a complete package price. Your quotation should distinguish drafting or document review, certified translation, the applicable notarial charges, overseas legalisation and attestation, and courier or other service charges where needed.
A single-signature local document and a company document requiring overseas attestations can therefore have different totals. Confirm which authority's tariff is being quoted and what is included before comparing providers.
Validity and cancellation: what should you check?
Read the document's duration and check the receiving authority's acceptance rules. DLD's published FAQ distinguishes a two-year period from notarisation for property sale, mortgage and grant transactions from five years for purchases. These are property-transaction requirements; they should not be presented as a universal expiry rule for every UAE power of attorney.
If the representative should stop acting, ask which formal cancellation route applies to the existing document. DLD publishes a POA cancellation notarisation service for its remit. Other documents require the appropriate issuing or competent authority's process. Confirm any notification or record-update steps with that authority and the organisations relying on the POA.
Start with a clear brief before the document is drafted
Define the task before granting authority. Write down who will act, what they may sign or submit, where the document will be used, any financial limits and the intended duration. Ask whether the wording permits another representative to be appointed and whether that is necessary for your situation.
Capitals28's Legal Services can help coordinate the document requirements and appropriate professional support. For authority connected to establishing or renewing a business, bring the same brief into your UAE company formation and renewal planning so the document supports the actual company process.
