A special power of attorney in Dubai («وكالة خاصة» or «توكيل خاص») authorizes your agent to complete one defined task: selling a named apartment, transferring a named car, operating one bank account or signing a single company document. UAE authorities generally prefer it to a general POA because the scope is exact. Wordcraft drafts the special POA in Arabic and English and books the notary appointment for your signature.
When a Special POA Is the Right Choice
- The office receiving it wants the asset or transaction named, as the Dubai Land Department, the RTA and most banks do
- You want to cap the risk: the agent can do only what the document describes
- The task has a natural end, such as one sale, one transfer or one application
- You are outside the UAE and need a single transaction completed here
For ongoing, everyday authority, a general power of attorney is more practical, and plenty of people hold one of each.
Wording That Authorities Accept
When a special POA is refused, the reason is almost always the text, not the signature. Our drafts include:
- Exact identification of principal and agent as printed in their passports or Emirates IDs, in both languages
- The asset or matter: plot and unit number, chassis and plate details, account number or IBAN, company name and license number, or the child's passport details
- Every permitted act as a separate verb: sign, pay, receive, submit, collect, cancel
- Money and delegation stated one way or the other, because neither is ever assumed
- An end date if you want one; for what happens without one, see how long a POA is valid in the UAE
We compare the draft with the receiving office's current format before you sign, so the agent is not sent back for a missing word.
Six Common Special POAs and What Each Names
| Purpose | What the POA typically names |
|---|---|
| Selling or buying a property | The unit, the power to sign at the DLD and to pay or receive funds; see property POA |
| Selling or transferring a car | Plate and chassis details, the power to sign at the RTA, clear fines and renew registration; see vehicle POA |
| Bank matters | The bank, the account number and the permitted operations |
| Company matters | The company, its license number and the single act (renewal, amendment, one contract) |
| Family and school | The child's details and the school, visa or medical matter the agent may handle |
| Government files | The department and the application, such as a residency renewal, certificate collection or attestation |
Papers That Identify the Asset or Matter
- 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
- A copy of the agent's passport or Emirates ID
- The asset document: title deed, mulkiya, bank letter or IBAN, trade license and MOA, or the child's passport
- Any form or checklist the receiving office gave you
From Your Brief to a Signed Special POA
Tell us the task and where the POA will be used. The written quote, free and sent within 10–30 minutes, confirms the wording and the notary that suits you. After payment, you review and approve the bilingual draft, then sign at the notary or by video through online notarization, for example on the MOJ e-Notary. A licensed notary, a court or the ministry platform notarizes it; we write it and manage the appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a special power of attorney?
A POA that lets the agent carry out one defined task or deal with one defined asset, for example selling a named villa or transferring a named car.
Is a special POA better than a general POA?
For property, cars and bank accounts, usually yes, since those offices want the asset and the act spelled out. For day-to-day errands, a general POA saves you signing a new document each time.
Can one special POA cover several tasks?
It can, when the tasks concern the same asset or matter and each act is listed. Unrelated matters are better split into separate POAs, so that one office's objection does not hold up the others.
Can I sign a special POA from outside the UAE?
Yes. Where the document qualifies, you can sign on a video call with a UAE e-notary; otherwise you sign at a notary in your country and the POA is legalized and translated for UAE use. The steps are on our POA from abroad page.
When does a special POA stop working?
Once the task is completed, when you revoke it, or on the end date written in it. If it was notarized at ADJD, a three-year limit also applies.
Last updated: September 2026
