How much does a UAE Power of Attorney cost?

Notary fees are typically AED 500–1,500 depending on POA type and complexity. Drafting and translation add AED 500–1,500. For foreign-issued POAs intended for UAE use, the apostille / embassy legalisation chain costs significantly more.

Legal & IP

POA

Power of Attorney

Notarised authorisation letting one person act on another's behalf. Drafted and notarised by experts for both corporate and personal affairs.

Also known as

Notarised authorisation
Power of attorney document

Attributes

Type	Legal Document
Jurisdiction	United Arab Emirates
Applicable law	UAE Civil Law
Governing authority	UAE Courts
Regulator	Notary Public
Established by	Notarisation
Purpose	Authorization of actions on behalf of another

What it is

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a notarised legal instrument by which one person (the principal) authorises another (the attorney-in-fact / agent) to act on their behalf in defined matters. UAE POAs are used to enable remote company formation, real-estate transactions, court representation, banking actions, and visa applications. Scope can be General (broad authority) or Special (specific actions only).

UAE-issued POAs are notarised by a UAE Notary Public; foreign-issued POAs intended for use in the UAE require apostille / embassy legalisation plus MOFA Attestation, and Arabic translation by a Ministry of Justice translator.

Key characteristics

Types: General (broad) or Special (specific)
Notarisation: UAE notary or apostille + MOFA chain for foreign POAs
Validity: Until expressly revoked or expired by terms
Common uses: Remote setup, banking, real estate, family-court matters

How it works

The process of obtaining a Power of Attorney typically involves the following steps: 1. **Drafting:** A legal professional drafts the POA document, outlining the scope of authority granted to the attorney. 2. **Notarisation:** The document is then notarised by a government-authorised notary public. This confirms the authenticity of the document and ensures it complies with UAE legal requirements. 3. **Execution:** The principal signs the POA document in the presence of the notary public. 4. **Registration (Optional):** Depending on the purpose of the POA, it may be registered with relevant authorities, such as the Commercial Registration Department.

Types of POA

Type	Description	When it applies
General Power of Attorney	Grants broad authority to the attorney to act on the principal's behalf in a wide range of matters.	Suitable for general administrative tasks and transactions.
Special Power of Attorney	Grants authority for a specific purpose only.	Useful for limited tasks, such as signing contracts or opening a bank account.
Durable Power of Attorney	Remains valid even if the principal becomes incapacitated.	Recommended for individuals who may become unable to manage their affairs in the future.

Examples

A company may grant a POA to a representative in the UAE to open a bank account or execute contracts. An individual might use a POA to allow a trusted family member to manage their affairs in their absence. For example, a foreign investor might grant a POA to a local agent to handle the registration of their business in the mainland.

Another example is a parent granting a POA to a child to manage their finances while abroad. A company could also use a POA to authorize a local representative to handle legal matters, such as contract negotiations or dispute resolution.

Why it matters

A correctly-drafted POA is what makes remote UAE incorporation possible — the principal stays abroad, the attorney signs the MOA, opens the bank account, applies for the license. Sloppy POAs cause document rejections at every step.

Common misconceptions

Misconception
A POA is always a simple document.
Reality
A POA must be properly drafted and notarised to be legally valid.
Misconception
A POA can be used for any purpose.
Reality
The scope of authority granted in a POA must be clearly defined.

FAQs

How much does a UAE Power of Attorney cost?: Notary fees are typically AED 500–1,500 depending on POA type and complexity. Drafting and translation add AED 500–1,500. For foreign-issued POAs intended for UAE use, the apostille / embassy legalisation chain costs significantly more.