Why your paperwork matters
A notary public will only stamp your power of attorney after checking who you are, what you are authorizing and whether you have the right to grant it. Missing, expired or untranslated papers are among the most common reasons an application is paused or refused. The exact list depends on whether you are an individual or a company and on what the POA covers, so use the lists below as a guide and confirm any extra needs with the notary in your emirate.
Core documents for individuals
Whatever the purpose of your POA, the notary will need to identify you and record basic details about you and your agent. Bring originals for checking and copies for the file.
- Your valid passport
- Your valid Emirates ID and residence visa, if you live in the UAE
- A copy of your agent’s passport or Emirates ID
- Your full name, address, mobile number and email address
- The POA text itself, in Arabic or in Arabic and English
Extra papers that depend on the purpose
A special POA usually needs evidence linked to the transaction it covers, so the notary can see that you own the asset or have a genuine interest in the matter. A general POA normally needs little beyond your ID, although it still has to describe the powers clearly.
- Property: title deed, initial sale contract or purchase agreement, plus plans or municipality papers where relevant
- Vehicle: the registration card for the car concerned
- Business matters: a valid trade licence and papers describing the activity
- Healthcare decisions: a medical report on your condition and your written consent
- Family links: a marriage or birth certificate where the POA relies on the relationship
- Court matters: the case number or details of the dispute
When a company is the principal
If a company is granting the POA, the notary needs proof that the business exists and that the person signing may act for it. Make sure every document is current and carries the required signatures and company stamp.
- A valid trade licence or commercial registration
- The memorandum or articles of association, where the notary asks for them
- A board or shareholder resolution approving the POA
- Passport or Emirates ID of the authorized signatory
Translation and attestation
Any document not written in Arabic must normally come with a legal translation prepared and stamped by a translator holding a UAE Ministry of Justice licence. Papers issued abroad, such as a marriage certificate or a foreign company’s registration, usually need attestation in their home country and by the UAE authorities before a notary will accept them. If you sign the POA itself outside the country, expect to provide the original notarized there, legalized at the UAE embassy and later attested in the UAE, along with a copy of your passport.
In person or online: what to have ready
You can notarize a POA face to face at a notary office or remotely via the official online portals, and both routes rely on much the same evidence. The way you present it differs slightly.
- At an office: book an appointment if required and bring every original
- At an office: expect the notary to check your ID and watch you sign
- Online: upload clear scans of your ID and supporting papers
- Online: join a video call so the notary can confirm your identity and intentions
- Either way: a government fee applies before the POA is issued
Errors that lead to delays
Most refusals come from small, avoidable problems. A quick review of your documents before your appointment or upload can save you a second attempt.
- An expired passport, Emirates ID or trade licence
- Translations not done by a licensed legal translator
- No proof of ownership for a property POA
- Names that differ between the POA and your ID
- Missing signatures or company stamps on business documents
- Foreign papers that have not completed attestation
How we can help
If you would like a second pair of eyes, our team can prepare a document checklist for your POA and arrange legal translation. We can also guide you through notarization in person or online.