To cancel a power of attorney in Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE, the principal signs a notarized revocation («إلغاء وكالة» or «عزل الوكيل») and then informs the agent and every bank or authority that holds a copy. A revocation on paper does not stop an agent who still carries the original. Wordcraft drafts the revocation and the notices in Arabic and English and books the notary.
Revocable vs Irrevocable POAs
You can revoke most POAs at any time, including general POAs, bank POAs and POAs for government files. A few cannot be withdrawn by the principal alone:
- A POA given in favor of the agent or a third party, such as a sale POA where the buyer has already paid
- A POA that declares itself irrevocable because it secures someone else's right
Revoking one of these generally needs the beneficiary's consent or a court decision. We read your POA first and tell you plainly which case applies; if there is a dispute, you will need a lawyer.
Who Must Be Told When You Cancel a POA
A revocation fully protects you only once the people relying on the POA know about it. Third parties who acted in good faith before being told may still be able to rely on what the agent signed. After notarization, we help you notify:
| Who | Why they need to know | How it is usually done |
|---|---|---|
| The agent | Ends their authority and puts them on notice not to use the original | A notarized notice of revocation («إنذار عدلي بعزل الوكيل») served through the notary, or a formal legal notice |
| Dubai Land Department (property POAs) | An agent holding a live POA could still sign a sale, mortgage or lease | Informed through the DLD's current procedure, with copies to the trustee office or developer holding the POA |
| RTA or the local traffic department (vehicle POAs) | Prevents the car being sold or transferred on the old POA | A copy of the notarized revocation lodged as the authority requires |
| Banks | A bank can keep acting on a POA until it is told | A copy of the revocation delivered to each bank where the agent could operate accounts |
| Company registry or free zone authority (company POAs) | The licensing authority, such as DET or the free zone, may hold the POA on the company file | The revocation, with the company's resolution where required, filed with that authority |
| Any other office that received a copy | ICP/GDRFA, courts, schools or an employer may still act on it | A cover letter with the notarized revocation; we list these offices with you |
Where possible, also recover the original POA from the agent.
Property POAs: Why Speed Matters
With property, a day can make the difference: an agent with a valid POA could sign a sale or lease before the DLD knows the authority has ended. Start the notices on the day you sign the revocation. If you are replacing the agent, we draft the new property power of attorney at the same time; for a car, the replacement is a new vehicle POA.
Revoking a POA Notarized Online vs at Dubai Courts
A POA may have been notarized online through the Ministry of Justice e-Notary, at a Dubai Courts notary, or by a licensed private notary. The revocation is usually done through the same notary channel that issued the original, so it can refer to that POA's number and date. The exact route differs by channel and by case, so we confirm it for your POA before you sign anything.
Revoking While You Are Abroad
- By video with a UAE e-notary platform, where the revocation is eligible; usually the quickest option. See online notarization.
- At a notary in your country, followed by your foreign ministry and the UAE embassy, whose legalization now carries the MOFA attestation digitally, and then Arabic legal translation in the UAE.
Either way, we prepare the bilingual revocation first so it matches the POA being canceled: its number, date, notary and parties.
What We Need to Draft the Revocation
- A copy of the POA being canceled, showing its notarization number and date
- Your ID for the notary: a valid Emirates ID (Dubai Courts requires one), or your passport if you have no Emirates ID, in which case we arrange MOJ notarization
- The agent's name and contact details, for serving the notice
- The banks and authorities you know hold the POA
- For a company POA: trade license and a board or shareholder resolution approving the revocation
Revocation and Notices: How the Work Runs
Send us the POA. Your free written quote comes within 10–30 minutes and says whether you can revoke it alone. After payment, you approve the revocation and notice letters, sign before the notary (in person, by video or abroad), and we help serve the notices and deliver copies to the offices on your list. The notary notarizes the revocation; Wordcraft prepares the documents and runs the follow-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cancel a power of attorney in Dubai?
Sign a notarized revocation, notify the agent, and inform each bank and authority that holds the POA, including the DLD for property and the RTA for vehicles.
Can I cancel a POA without the agent's consent?
Usually yes. The exception is a POA made in favor of the agent or a third party, such as an irrevocable sale POA, which generally needs the beneficiary's consent or a court decision.
Can I cancel a POA from abroad?
Yes, on a video call with a UAE e-notary where eligible, or before a notary in your country followed by legalization and Arabic translation.
Does a POA end automatically?
It ends when the task is done, when its end date passes, or on the death of the principal or the agent. Time limits that depend on the notary are explained in our POA validity guide.
Can I give a new POA to someone else instead?
Yes. We draft the revocation and the new power of attorney together, so both can be signed at one appointment.
Last updated: September 2026
