How to Get a Special Power of Attorney in Dubai?

Living in a global hub like Dubai often means managing assets or business while on the move. Many residents, expatriates, and investors need a trusted way to authorize transactions, sign property sale agreements, or handle company matters while outside the UAE. In such cases, understanding how to get a special power of attorney in Dubai becomes essential.    

A Special Power of Attorney, or SPOA, is a crucial legal tool. It allows you to appoint a trusted person (an “Agent”) to perform a specific, clearly defined task on your behalf (as the “Principal”).

This document is essential in many situations, such as:

• Selling a specific apartment or villa.
• Representing your company to sign a single contract.
• Appearing in a legal case.
• Managing your visa application process.

It is important to understand how an SPOA differs from a General Power of Attorney (GPOA). A GPOA gives your agent broad, sweeping powers to manage all your affairs. This can be risky. On the other hand, a Special Power of Attorney in Dubai is far safer and more precise. It limits the agent’s authority to only the tasks you list. This precision and control are why individuals and businesses prefer it.

This blog simplifies the complete process. We will explain everything from eligibility and documents to the official notarization and even the cancellation of the special power of attorney. 

A Special POA is a flexible document that serves many purposes for both individuals and companies. It is especially vital for expats and non-resident investors who cannot always be physically present in Dubai.

Common Personal Use-Cases

Individuals frequently use an SPOA to manage important personal and financial tasks. Here are the most common scenarios:

• Property Transactions: This is the most common use. An individual traveling abroad can appoint an agent to handle the purchase or sale of a specific property, sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and attend the final transfer at the Dubai Land Department (DLD).
• Legal Representation: You can grant an SPOA to a lawyer to represent you in a specific court case, mediation, or legal dispute.
• Vehicle Management: An SPOA allows an agent to sell, buy, or register a specific car on your behalf at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
• Visa and Banking Matters: An agent can be appointed to manage your residency visa renewal, open a specific bank account, or handle other defined administrative tasks.

Common Business Use-Cases

For companies, a special power of attorney in Dubai is a key operational tool. It allows businesses to continue without interruption. Common uses include:

• Company Incorporation: A shareholder can appoint a representative to sign all the documents needed to establish a new company, including the Memorandum of Association.
• Contract Execution: A business owner can authorize a general manager to sign a specific high-value contract or lease agreement.
• Asset Management: An SPOA can empower an agent to sell a particular company asset, like a piece of equipment or a corporate vehicle.
• Shareholder Actions: Partners or shareholders can appoint an agent to represent them and vote on their behalf at a specific board meeting.

For non-resident investors, an SPOA is the bridge that connects them to their investments in Dubai. It allows them to manage their assets and legal obligations efficiently from anywhere in the world.

We can break down the journey of creating an SPOA into six clear steps, from the initial idea to the final, usable document.

Step 1: Preparation and Planning

This is the most important thinking stage. Before you draft anything, you must be clear on three points:

1. Define the Powers: Be specific about the exact task. “To sell my car” is not enough. It should be “To sell my 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, VIN: XXXXX, Plate No: XXXXX.”
2. Choose Your Agent: Select a person you trust completely. This can be a family member, a friend, or a legal professional.
3. Set the Duration: Does the special power of attorney expire? Yes, if you want it to. You can set a fixed date (e.g., “This SPOA is valid until December 31, 2025”) or link it to an event (e.g., “This SPOA expires upon the completion of the property sale”). 

Note that real estate sale POAs in Dubai are valid for a maximum of 2 years, and property purchase POAs for up to 5 years, unless otherwise approved.

Step 2: Drafting the Special Power of Attorney

This is the legal writing stage. You can start with a special power of attorney form from Dubai or a template, but you must customize it precisely.

Essential Clauses to Include:

• Principal’s Details: Your full legal name, nationality, and passport/Emirates ID number.
• Agent’s Details: The agent’s full legal name, nationality, and passport/Emirates ID number.
• The Specific Powers: This is the core of the SPOA. List the exact powers you are giving. Use clear, direct, and unambiguous language.
• Validity Clause: State clearly when the SPOA starts and when it expires.

To avoid legal mistakes, it is highly recommended to use professional drafting services. SafeLedger offers expert legal review to ensure your SPOA is drafted correctly, protects your interests, and will be accepted by government departments.

Step 3: Notarization (The Official Signing)

This step makes your document legal. The Dubai Courts Notary Public has a modern online system.

1. Translation: First, get your final draft translated into Arabic by a certified legal translator. The final document must be submitted in Arabic or bilingual format.
2. Submit Online: You submit the bilingual SPOA draft, your ID copies, and the agent’s ID copy to the Dubai Courts Notary Public’s online portal.
3. Attend the “Meeting”: The Principal must attend a video call with the Notary Public. The Notary will verify your identity (by asking you to show your passport to the camera) and ask you to confirm that you understand and agree to the SPOA.
4. Receive the E-POA: Once you approve, the Notary digitally signs and stamps the document. You will receive the final, official e-POA by email, usually within the same day.

Step 4: Attestation and Translation

This step is only for international use.

• If using the SPOA in Dubai: You are done at Step 3. The digital, notarized Arabic document is all you need.
• If using the SPOA outside Dubai: Proceed with attestation. You take the notarized SPOA to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFAIC) and then to the relevant embassy, as described earlier. This is how to get a consularized special power of attorney in Dubai.

Step 5: Registration and Usage

Your agent now has the official SPOA. They can present this document to the relevant authority.

• For property sales, the agent shows the SPOA to the Dubai Land Department (DLD).
• For legal cases, the agent (your lawyer) files it with the Dubai Courts.
• For company matters, the agent presents them to the bank or the economic department.

Dubai’s government departments, including banks and the DLD, fully accept the digital e-POA issued by the Dubai Notary.

Step 6: Revocation or Expiry (Cancellation)

Your SPOA can end in two ways:

1. Automatic Expiry: The document expires on the date you set, or once the specific task is finished.
2. Revocation: If you change your mind, you must perform a legal cancellation of the special power of attorney. This is not optional.
   • Procedure: You must file a “Revocation of POA” document with the Dubai Courts Notary Public.
   • Notification: You must officially notify your agent (preferably in writing) that you have revoked their power.
   • Inform Third Parties: You must also inform any entity that holds a copy of the SPOA (like your bank) that it is no longer valid.

Safe Ledger can also support you with the legal process of terminating or renewing an SPOA.

Preparing your documents in advance makes the process fast and smooth. Here are the core requirements for a special power of attorney in Dubai:

• From the Principal (You):
  • Valid Passport copy.
  • Valid Emirates ID copy (if you are a UAE resident).
  • Valid Residence Visa copy (if you are a resident).
• From the Agent (Your Representative):
  • Valid Passport copy.
  • Valid Emirates ID copy (if they are a UAE resident).
• The Draft Document:
  • The final special power of attorney form, drafted in Arabic or as a bilingual English/Arabic document.
• Supporting Documents (if required by the Notary):
  • For property matters: A copy of the Title Deed.
  • For business matters: A copy of the company’s Trade License.

The cost of getting a Special Power of Attorney (SPOA) in Dubai depends on the type of POA, the complexity, and whether you need it for international use. Below is a clear breakdown of the real costs and expected timeline.

Timeline:

• Drafting & Translation: 2–4 business days
• Notarization: Same day via Dubai e-notary video call
• Attestation (if needed): 1 day at MoFAIC; embassy attestation may take 3–14 days

Expected Timeline

Thanks to Dubai’s e-notary system, the timeline is very fast.

• Drafting and Translation: 1 to 2 business days.
• Notarization: This can often be completed on the same day you submit the final draft, with the video call taking only a few minutes.
• Attestation (if needed): This is the longest part. MoFAIC attestation is fast (1 day), but embassy attestation can take from a few days to two weeks.

Creating a legally valid special power of attorney in Dubai involves following a clear framework. You must work with specific government bodies and follow strict rules.

Key Authorities

• Dubai Courts Notary Public: This is the official body, operating under Dubai Courts, that officially notarizes (witnesses and stamps) all Power of Attorney documents. A POA becomes legally valid in Dubai only after notarization. Since 2021, Dubai Courts have offered e-Notary services through the DubaiNow and UAE Pass platforms.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFAIC): This ministry is involved only if the SPOA will be used outside the UAE, or if it was created outside the UAE and needs to be used in Dubai.

Legal Requirements for a Valid SPOA

For an SPOA to be valid, it must meet these core legal requirements:

• Verified Identity: The Principal (the person giving the power) must prove their identity with a valid passport or Emirates ID.
• Clear Signatures: The Principal must sign the SPOA in the presence of the Notary Public. Modern e-notary services in Dubai now allow this to be done via a secure video call.
• Legal Translation: This is a mandatory requirement. Any document submitted to the Dubai Courts Notary Public must be in Arabic. If your SPOA is drafted in English, you must have it legally translated into Arabic. The final document is usually bilingual (Arabic and English side-by-side).
• Witnesses: In some specific cases, the notary may require witnesses to be present during the signing.

Using a Special Power of Attorney Outside the UAE

What if you create a special power of attorney in Dubai to sell a property in your home country? This requires a process called attestation. This is how you get a consularized special power of attorney in Dubai.

1. Notarization: First, you get the SPOA notarized at the Dubai Courts Notary Public.
2. MoFAIC Attestation: You then take the notarized document to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFAIC) for an attestation stamp.
3. Embassy Attestation: Finally, you must get the document attested by the embassy or consulate of the country where you intend to use it.

This three-step process makes your Dubai-issued SPOA legally valid in the other country. The same process applies in reverse if you create an SPOA abroad to be used in Dubai.

Revocation and Termination under UAE Law

A power of attorney is not permanent and can be canceled by the Principal at any time through a legal process known as revocation. The cancellation of a special power of attorney is a formal process that must also be filed with the Notary Public.

A small mistake in an SPOA can make it invalid or, worse, expose you to risk. Avoid these common errors.

• Being Too Vague: The biggest mistake is unclear language. “To manage my bank account” is a general power. A special power is “To deposit cheques and request bank statements for my account [number] at [bank name].”
• Choosing the Wrong Agent: An SPOA gives real legal power. Choose someone with undisputed integrity.
• Forgetting the Arabic Translation: The Dubai Notary will instantly reject any document that is not in Arabic or bilingual.
• Messing up the cancellation of special power of attorney: Thinking you can just text your agent “you’re fired” is not enough. You must legally revoke the SPOA at the notary for your protection.
• Using a Foreign POA without Attestation: A POA signed in another country is not valid in Dubai until it is fully attested by the UAE Embassy in that country and by MoFAIC in Dubai.

Restrictions on a Special Power of Attorney

Certain legal restrictions limit the use and validity of an SPOA in Dubai:

• Ends upon the principal’s death: The SPOA automatically becomes invalid if the principal passes away.
• The agent must act within authority: The agent cannot perform any act beyond the powers specifically granted. Any action outside the defined scope may be void or legally challenged.
• Registration may be required: Some authorities, such as the Dubai Land Department, require the SPOA to be registered before the agent can act, especially for property-related matters.
• Cannot override UAE’s mandatory laws: A POA cannot be used for matters governed by Sharia law or personal status issues such as marriage, divorce, or inheritance.
• Corporate limitation: In the case of companies, only shareholders or business owners can issue a POA on behalf of the entity, unless the Memorandum or Articles of Association (MOA/AOA) expressly authorize a general manager to do so.

A special power of attorney in Dubai is an essential, powerful, and safe legal tool. It gives you the flexibility to manage your personal and business affairs from anywhere in the world, while keeping you in full control.

Unlike a General POA, the SPOA limits the power to a specific task, protecting you from risk. The process in Dubai is modern, fast, and digital. By following the steps of careful drafting, legal translation, and official notarization, you can create a valid document that serves your exact needs.

For absolute peace of mind, it is always wise to seek professional help. Contact us to ensure your special power of attorney form from Dubai is drafted with legal precision, properly notarized, and fully compliant with UAE laws.