A power of attorney format that works in the UAE names both people exactly as their IDs show, lists each power in plain words, says how long it lasts and is written in Arabic or Arabic and English. The notary then checks identity and capacity and authenticates it. A loose draft is where many delays start.
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Send a photo on WhatsAppA common story: someone downloads a template, fills in the names, books the notary and gets sent back because the draft says “to deal with my property” without saying which property or what “deal with” means. This guide is about getting the wording right before you book. If you want us to draft it and arrange the appointment, our notary public service in Dubai page explains how that works, and the power of attorney service page covers every POA type we prepare.
What a UAE power of attorney format must contain
There is no single government template for every case, but a draft that a notary can authenticate without back-and-forth usually has these parts, in this order:
- Title and type. “General Power of Attorney” or “Special Power of Attorney” (limited to one matter, such as a property, a trade licence, a vehicle or a court case).
- The principal. Full name exactly as on the passport or Emirates ID, nationality, ID number and address.
- The attorney (agent). The same details for the person who will act for you. If you appoint two people, say whether they may act alone or only together.
- The powers. A numbered list of what the attorney may do. Vague phrases get questioned; specific verbs get accepted.
- The subject. For a special POA, the asset or matter itself: title deed or plot number and location, trade licence number and issuing authority, vehicle details or case number.
- Duration. A start date and an end date, or a clear statement of how long it stays valid.
- Delegation. Whether the attorney may appoint someone else in their place. If you say nothing, assume they cannot.
- Language clause. If the document is bilingual, which version controls. In UAE practice the Arabic text is the one the authorities work from.
- Signature block for the principal, completed in front of the notary, not before.
Why the wording of the powers matters most
Notaries read the powers section line by line. Abu Dhabi’s Judicial Department (ADJD) states it plainly in its notary services guide: any acts involving transfer of ownership or mortgaging must be defined in the POA, with the type and location of the act. A line like “to manage all my affairs” does not do that.
Compare two versions of the same intent:
| Too vague | What a notary can work with |
|---|---|
| To deal with my apartment in Dubai. | To sell, sign the sale contract for, receive the price of and transfer at the land department the apartment with the stated unit and plot number in the stated area. |
| To handle my company. | To renew, amend and sign all applications for the trade licence with the stated number issued by the stated authority, and to open and operate its bank accounts. |
| To represent me in court. | To file, follow and settle the case with the stated number before the stated court, and to receive any amounts awarded. |
Each power you leave out is a power the attorney does not have. Banks and land departments read the document as narrowly as it is written, so it’s worth listing receiving money, signing transfer forms and dealing with utilities if you need them.
Language: Arabic, bilingual or English?
Write it in Arabic or as an Arabic and English bilingual document. ADJD’s guide says a document issued in a language other than Arabic must be translated by a certified translator, with the translator’s valid licence card attached. A bilingual draft side by side avoids a separate translation step and lets you check your own wording in English while the authority reads the Arabic.
The risk with bilingual drafts is the two columns saying slightly different things. Have the Arabic written by a legal translator from your English, not the other way round from a template. Our legal translation in Abu Dhabi team does this for POA drafts across all emirates.
How long can a UAE power of attorney last?
Set the duration on purpose. Under ADJD’s published conditions, the maximum validity is 3 calendar years from the date of notarisation, and 5 years where a litigation POA is given to a lawyer. Other emirates and authorities can apply their own limits, so check the rule where the POA will be used. We cover renewals and expiry in more detail in how long a power of attorney stays valid in the UAE.
A practical point: if the attorney needs to finish something that may drag on, such as a property sale, pick a duration that covers it rather than the shortest one.
Who can sign and who can be appointed
The notary has to be satisfied that the principal has legal capacity. ADJD’s guide sets this at 21 lunar years for civil transactions and 18 calendar years for commercial ones. Some special POAs carry extra conditions. In Abu Dhabi, for example, a litigation POA given to someone who is not a lawyer, or a POA over farmland, must name a relative of the principal up to the fourth degree.
The principal is the one who must appear before the notary (in person or by the remote video session the authority offers). The attorney usually does not need to attend, but their details must be correct, so get a clear copy of their passport or Emirates ID before you draft.
Documents to have ready before you book
- Your Emirates ID (or passport, if you are not a resident).
- A clear copy of the attorney’s passport or Emirates ID.
- The final draft, in Arabic or bilingual.
- For a property POA: the title deed or another proof such as a recent land layout or lease contract.
- For a company POA: the trade licence, especially if it was issued in another emirate.
- Any foreign document the POA relies on, already attested. ADJD requires documents issued outside the UAE to be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; see our MOFA attestation page if you need that first.
Common reasons a POA draft gets sent back
- A name spelled differently from the passport, or a missing middle name.
- Powers that describe a goal (“to sort out my visa”) instead of actions.
- No property, licence or case details on a special POA.
- English and Arabic columns that don’t match.
- No end date, or a period longer than the authority accepts.
- A signature already on the draft before the notary session.
Once it is notarised, keep the reference so the receiving bank or office can verify it. Our guide on checking a power of attorney online in Dubai shows how.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an official power of attorney format in the UAE?
There is no single form that fits every case. Notaries and courts publish service conditions rather than one template, and each POA type has its own requirements. What matters is that the draft names both parties exactly, lists specific powers, states the subject and duration, and is in Arabic or bilingual. A well-built draft is usually accepted at the first session.
Can I write my power of attorney in English only?
You can draft in English, but the authority works from Arabic. Abu Dhabi’s Judicial Department asks for a certified translation with the translator’s licence card attached when a document is not in Arabic. Most people save a step by preparing a bilingual Arabic and English draft from the start, written by a legal translator.
Does the attorney need to be present at the notary?
Usually not. The principal, who gives the powers, must appear before the notary in person or through the remote session the authority offers, and must prove identity and capacity. The attorney’s details still have to be exact, so have a clear copy of their passport or Emirates ID ready when the draft is prepared.
What is the difference between a general and a special POA?
A general POA lets the attorney act for you in most lawful matters. A special POA is limited to one subject, such as a named property, a trade licence, a vehicle or a court case. Banks and land departments often prefer a special POA because the powers and the asset are spelled out, which leaves less room for questions.
Can I cancel a power of attorney later?
Yes. A notarised POA can be revoked through the notary, and authorities such as ADJD list revocation as its own service. It is wise to tell the attorney and any bank or office that holds a copy. Our cancel power of attorney page explains the steps.
Is there an official power of attorney format in the UAE?
There is no single form that fits every case. Notaries and courts publish service conditions rather than one template, and each POA type has its own requirements. What matters is that the draft names both parties exactly, lists specific powers, states the subject and duration, and is in Arabic or bilingual. A well-built draft is usually accepted at the first session.
Can I write my power of attorney in English only?
You can draft in English, but the authority works from Arabic. Abu Dhabi’s Judicial Department asks for a certified translation with the translator’s licence card attached when a document is not in Arabic. Most people save a step by preparing a bilingual Arabic and English draft from the start, written by a legal translator.
Does the attorney need to be present at the notary?
Usually not. The principal, who gives the powers, must appear before the notary in person or through the remote session the authority offers, and must prove identity and capacity. The attorney’s details still have to be exact, so have a clear copy of their passport or Emirates ID ready when the draft is prepared.
What is the difference between a general and a special POA?
A general POA lets the attorney act for you in most lawful matters. A special POA is limited to one subject, such as a named property, a trade licence, a vehicle or a court case. Banks and land departments often prefer a special POA because the powers and the asset are spelled out, which leaves less room for questions.
Can I cancel a power of attorney later?
Yes. A notarised POA can be revoked through the notary, and authorities such as ADJD list revocation as its own service. It is wise to tell the attorney and any bank or office that holds a copy. Our cancel power of attorney page explains the steps.
Where Wordcraft Comes In
We draft the power of attorney in Arabic and English from what you tell us, check the names against your IDs, translate any supporting documents and arrange the notarization appointment with the right authority. We are not a notary ourselves; we prepare the paperwork so the notary session goes smoothly. Tell us your deadline and we confirm what is possible before we start. We confirm the government fees and our service charge in writing before any work begins. WhatsApp us on +971 56 681 3996 or call toll-free 800 9673, or visit one of our offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or Ras Al Khaimah.
Source: Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, Guidance Manual: Notarisation and Authentication Services (read 16 October 2026). Rules can change; check the current conditions with the authority before you sign.