Power of Attorney in Abu Dhabi
Appoint someone you trust to act legally on your behalf, whether you’re traveling, living outside the UAE, or simply unable to attend a transaction in person. Depending on the powers you grant, your attorney can manage or sell property, deal with government authorities, run a business, handle banking, represent you in court, or take care of a specific personal or commercial matter.
Tell us what you need the POA for, and we’ll make sure it’s drafted right and accepted the first time. Handled online, start to finish.
The signatures of the relevant parties were validated, confirming their identity, capacity, characteristics, and consent using visual communication technology. This document was digitally signed and notarized with no. •••••••••• Receipt: PNP-••••••••
تم التحقق من توقيعات ذوي العلاقة وإقرارهم بهويتهم وأهليتهم وصفاتهم وموافقتهم من خلال تقنية الاتصال المرئي، وتمّ توقيع هذه الوثيقة والمصادقة عليها رقمياً.
The genuineness of the Digital Signature and the validity of the document must be checked through the QR validation services listed at the bottom of the page.
حالة الوثيقة
حالة المصادقة
What Is a Power of Attorney in Abu Dhabi?
A Power of Attorney, or POA, is a legal document through which one person or entity authorises another person to act on its behalf.
The parties are generally known as:
The attorney does not become the owner of the principal’s assets. The attorney may only act within the powers expressly granted. A property-management POA, for example, does not authorize the attorney to sell the property.
Certain transactions require express, specific authority. A special POA is generally required to:
- Sell or purchase property
- Mortgage or release a mortgage
- Gift property
- Enter into a settlement or make an acknowledgement
- Transfer ownership rights
- Allow the attorney to contract with himself or herself on behalf of the principal
The UAE follows a strict rule: the attorney can only act within the limits of the POA. Any act outside those powers will be refused by the receiving authority.
Is a Power of Attorney Legally Recognized in Abu Dhabi?
Recognized in Abu Dhabi
Yes. A properly drafted and notarized POA is legally recognized in Abu Dhabi, subject to the nature of the transaction and the requirements of the receiving authority. A POA executed within the UAE must be notarized by a competent UAE notarial authority. For property transactions, receiving entities such as the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) may require or prefer a POA notarized through the ADJD, so confirm the receiving authority's requirements before notarizing.
Can a Power of Attorney in Abu Dhabi Be Completed Online?
Yes. ADJD offers digital notarial services for different types of POA. The process includes electronic submission, document review, payment, and a remote video-verification appointment with the notary.
A POA executed outside the UAE must undergo the appropriate notarization, legalization, and attestation process, plus a certified Arabic legal translation if issued in another language, before it can be used in Abu Dhabi.
How to Get a Power of Attorney in Abu Dhabi
To obtain a Power of Attorney in Abu Dhabi, you must first determine the exact purpose of the POA. This is important because the intended transaction determines:
The general process is as follows.
Identify the intended transaction
The first step is to confirm exactly what the attorney will be required to do. For example, “deal with my property” may not be sufficiently clear if the attorney must sell the property, receive the sale proceeds, apply for a mortgage-liability letter, discharge an existing mortgage, or sign before the Abu Dhabi real estate authorities. Each important power should be expressly stated.
Select the attorney
The principal should appoint a trustworthy and legally capable person. The attorney's name and identification details must be entered accurately and should match the attorney's passport or Emirates ID. Depending on the transaction, more than one attorney may be appointed. The POA should then clarify whether they may act:
- Individually;
- Jointly;
- By majority; or
- In accordance with another stated arrangement.
Gather the supporting documents
The documents required will depend on the POA, but they may include:
- Valid passport of the principal;
- Emirates ID of the principal, where applicable;
- UAE residence visa, where applicable;
- Passport or Emirates ID of the attorney;
- Mobile number and email address;
- Property title deed or property registration document;
- Vehicle registration card;
- Valid trade licence;
- Memorandum or Articles of Association;
- Incorporation documents;
- Share certificate or company register;
- Board or shareholder resolution;
- Proof of the signatory's corporate authority;
- Bank or financing documents; and
- Any other document connected to the authorized transaction.
All names, identification numbers and asset details should be consistent across the supporting documents.
Prepare the POA
The POA should be drafted according to its actual purpose. It should clearly identify:
- The principal;
- The attorney;
- The assets, company, property, vehicle, account or transaction concerned;
- The authorities before which the attorney may appear;
- The documents the attorney may sign;
- Whether the attorney may receive money or documents;
- Whether the attorney may appoint a substitute;
- Whether the attorney may contract with himself or herself; and
- The intended validity period, if applicable.
Broad or copied wording can create problems. A POA should be detailed enough to complete the transaction but should not grant unnecessary powers that expose the principal to avoidable risk.
Submit the application
The application is submitted through the applicable ADJD notary service. The principal may be required to access the platform using UAE PASS, while the process for overseas or non-resident principals may vary depending on the available service and verification arrangements. The application, draft POA and supporting documents are then reviewed by the competent team or notary.
Complete notarial verification
Once the application is accepted, the principal may be required to attend a remote video call with the notary. During the call, the notary may:
- Verify the principal's identity;
- Ask the principal to display the original passport or Emirates ID;
- Confirm that the principal understands the POA;
- Confirm that the POA is being granted voluntarily;
- Confirm the identity of the attorney; and
- Clarify the powers being granted.
Additional information, corrections or documents may be requested before approval.
Pay the applicable fees
The required government and notarial fees must be paid. Fees may differ depending on the type of POA, number of principals, number of attorneys, attachments, language and requested service.
Receive the Notarized POA
After successful verification and approval, the final Notarized POA is generally issued digitally. It can then be presented to the relevant bank, property authority, court, government department, company or other institution.
Let us handle the steps
Eight steps, the right powers, the correct documents, and an ADJD notary call to pass. We've done this hundreds of times, so tell us your transaction, and we'll take it from draft to notarized POA.
Types of POA in Abu Dhabi
The correct type of POA depends on the extent of the authority being granted.
Swipe, scroll, or use the arrows to browse all POA types →
Legal Requirements for POA in Abu Dhabi
The exact requirements differ by transaction, but the following principles generally apply.
The principal must have legal capacity
The principal must be legally capable of granting the relevant authority and must understand the nature and consequences of the POA. A guardian or custodian cannot dispose of a minor's property merely by granting a POA. Transactions involving a minor's property may require approval from the competent court.
The principal's identity must be verified
The principal must provide valid identification and complete the required verification procedure. The notary may refuse the application if the principal's identity cannot be established or if the details do not match the supporting documents.
The POA must be granted voluntarily
The principal must understand the document and grant the authority without coercion. The notary may ask questions to confirm the principal's intention.
The attorney must be identifiable
The attorney's full name, nationality and identification details should correspond with the attorney's passport or Emirates ID.
The powers must be lawful and sufficiently clear
A POA cannot authorise an unlawful act. The wording must also identify the powers the attorney is expected to exercise. For acts extending beyond ordinary management—particularly sale, mortgage, gift, settlement and acknowledgement—a special or express authority is generally necessary.
Self-contracting must be expressly authorized
Under Abu Dhabi real estate requirements, an attorney may not contract with himself or herself in the principal's name unless the POA expressly permits it. This can arise when:
- The attorney purchases the principal's property;
- The attorney transfers an asset to himself or herself;
- The attorney represents both parties; or
- The attorney otherwise benefits directly from the transaction.
Corporate authority must be established
Where the principal is a company, the individual signing the POA must have authority to bind the company. The notary may review:
- The company's valid trade licence;
- Memorandum and Articles of Association;
- Share register or ownership documents;
- Board or shareholder resolutions;
- The powers of the manager or director; and
- The company's full ownership structure.
Where a UAE company is owned by another company, documents relating to the parent company and the ultimate authorized individual may also be required.
Foreign documents must be properly legalised
A POA executed outside the UAE will require:
- Notarization in the country of execution;
- Authentication or legalization by the competent foreign authorities;
- Attestation by the UAE embassy or consulate in that country;
- Attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs after arrival in the UAE; and
- Legal translation into Arabic where required.
The exact chain can vary according to the country of origin, applicable treaties, the document and the receiving authority.
How Much Does a Power of Attorney Cost in Abu Dhabi?
Message us your case
Send us a quick note about your transaction, and we'll tell you exactly which POA fits and what it'll cost, before you commit to anything.
How Long Is a Power of Attorney Valid in Abu Dhabi?
The validity of a Power of Attorney Notarized through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) depends on the purpose for which it is issued.
- Property transactions;
- Vehicle matters;
- Banking transactions;
- Business and company matters; and
- Other personal or administrative transactions.
- For court representation and litigation-related matters, an ADJD-issued POA may be valid for a maximum period of five years.
For most general and transactional matters, an ADJD-issued POA may be valid for a maximum period of three years. The principal may choose a shorter validity period when preparing the POA, depending on the nature of the authority being granted. The validity period should be clearly stated in the document.
A POA may also cease to be effective before its stated expiry date if it is formally revoked, the authorized transaction is completed, or another legally recognised event causes the authority to end.
How to Cancel a Power of Attorney in Abu Dhabi
Steps to cancel a POA in Abu Dhabi
The usual process is:
- Obtain a copy of the original Notarized POA;
- Confirm its Notarization details and current status;
- Prepare the revocation or cancellation application;
- Submit the application through the applicable ADJD service;
- Provide the principal's identification and supporting documents;
- Complete the required notarial verification;
- Pay the applicable fees;
- Receive the Notarized cancellation document; and
- Notify the attorney and all relevant third parties.
Notify the attorney
The attorney should be formally informed that the POA has been cancelled. Ideally, the notification should be made through a method that creates reliable evidence of delivery.
Can the attorney withdraw from the POA?
Yes, an attorney may generally withdraw from the appointment, subject to the terms of the POA, applicable law and any third-party rights involved. The withdrawal should be properly documented and communicated to the principal and relevant third parties.
Notify the relevant authorities and institutions
The cancellation should also be provided to every authority or institution that previously received or may rely upon the POA, including:
- Banks;
- ADREC and the relevant municipality;
- Developers and property managers;
- Government departments;
- Courts and law firms;
- Licensing authorities;
- Traffic and vehicle-registration authorities;
- Business partners; and
- Any other affected third party.
This is important because third parties may continue to treat the attorney as authorized until they have received proper notice of the revocation.