Which Authority is Responsible for Business POA in Dubai?

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows a person to act on behalf of a company. It helps businesses continue operating smoothly, even if the owner or key personnel are traveling or based abroad. With a POA, important tasks like signing contracts, managing assets, or representing the company in meetings can be handled efficiently without delays.

Many business owners often ask: Which court makes a power of attorney in Dubai for business? The answer is the Dubai Courts Notary Public, which is the official authority responsible for notarizing and validating POAs. This ensures the document is legally recognized and can be used for all corporate and legal matters in Dubai.

In this article, we explain what a business POA is, the authorities involved, the notarization process, and practical tips to ensure your POA is valid and compliant, helping your business run smoothly.    

A Business Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives a person, called the agent or attorney-in-fact, the power to make decisions and perform specific tasks for a company, the principal. It’s a key part of how companies manage their business. POAs are vital for corporate transactions, from managing bank accounts and signing contracts to representing shareholders at meetings.

Types of Business POAs

Businesses in Dubai typically use two types of POAs:

• General Power of Attorney: 

This POA gives the agent broad authority to handle many different business matters. For example, the agent can manage financial accounts, oversee daily operations, and represent the company in various deals. Companies use a General Power of Attorney when they trust someone completely and need them to have wide-ranging control over the business.

• Special Power of Attorney (SPOA): 

This POA limits the agent to a very specific task or a small number of actions. The document clearly states the exact authority the agent has. For example, a company might give a lawyer an Special Power of Attorney just to handle a certain court case, or give a manager an SPOA to sign only one specific contract. This type of POA is ideal for delegating one task without giving away more control.

Several authorities play a role in the POA process in Dubai, ensuring the document is legally valid and enforceable. Here’s a breakdown of the main authorities:

1. Dubai Courts Notary Public: The primary authority responsible for notarizing business POAs in Dubai. The Notary Public verifies the identities of the principal and agent, witnesses the signing of the POA, and ensures the document is legally binding. POAs can be notarized in person at the Dubai Courts or via the e-Notary system, making it convenient for those unable to attend in person.
2. Ministry of Justice (MOJ): For POAs that will be used for legal matters, such as court representation or legal proceedings, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) is required for attestation. They verify the POA’s validity and authorize its use in legal matters.
3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFAIC): When a POA is issued outside of the UAE, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) is required for attestation. This ensures the POA is legally recognized and can be used within the UAE, especially for international business transactions.
4. Ministry of Economy and Tourism (MOET): The Ministry of Economy and Tourism (MOET) can be involved when the POA relates to changes in a company’s legal representative or agent. This process can be initiated through their online portal, ensuring smooth business transitions.

Free Zones and Their Notary Systems

While the Dubai Courts Notary Public handles POAs for mainland companies, businesses operating in free zones like the DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) and ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) follow different procedures. These free zones have their own notary and public registry systems, which are separate from the Dubai Courts. Therefore, businesses in these zones may have specific requirements or variations in the POA process compared to mainland companies.

What is the Role of the Notary Public?

A Notary Public works for the Dubai Courts. They have a key job in the POA process:

• Verification: The notary public confirms the identity of the principal (the person giving the POA) and the agent. They check Emirates IDs or passports to ensure everyone is who they claim to be
• Witnessing: The notary watches the signing of the POA. They confirm that the people are signing it willingly and understand what the document says.
• Attestation: The notary attests to the document’s validity by adding their official stamp and signature. This makes the POA legally enforceable in the UAE.

The Notary Public plays a central role in notarization, but other government bodies also contribute by requiring a notarized POA for specific business deals. These include: 

• The Department of Economic Development (DED): The DED handles business licenses and company formation. It might require a notarized POA for things like renewing a license, making changes to the company, or if a representative needs to act for the company.
• Dubai Municipality: For real estate or property matters, the Dubai Municipality may require a notarized POA.
• Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM): Businesses in the tourism industry might need to present a notarized POA to the DTCM for specific licenses or regulations.

This system ensures the POA is not only legally valid but also accepted by all the necessary authorities where the agent needs to do business.

Did you know? In practice, digital notarization through the Dubai Courts’ e-Notary service has become quite popular. Many businesses now prefer online notarization, especially after COVID-19, as it offers a convenient and fast way to get documents validated.

The main law that governs POA in the UAE is the UAE Civil Transactions Law (Federal Law No. 5 of 1985). This law sets out the basic rules for all types of agency agreements, including POAs. It states that for a POA to be valid, it must meet several important requirements.

Requirements for a Valid POA

Crucial requirements are mentioned below: 

• Written Format: You must create a POA as a written document. A verbal agreement is not a legally valid POA in the UAE. The document should be clear and easy to understand, and it’s best to have it in Arabic or Bilingual (Arabic + English) with an official legal translation.
• Clear Scope of Authority: The POA must clearly describe the powers you give to the agent. If the clauses are too vague or general, the POA may not be accepted for certain deals, especially those involving real estate or major business decisions.
• Notarization and Registration:

  The most important step is getting the document notarized by a Notary Public. This confirms the principal’s identity and their legal right to grant the power. For certain transactions, like selling or buying property, you also need to register the POA with the right government office, like the Dubai Land Department. For a detailed breakdown of Power of Attorney Cost in Dubai, including notarization, drafting, and attestation fees, check our comprehensive guide.

• Outside POA Usage: If the POA is intended for use outside the UAE, it must be attested by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and sometimes the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). This ensures the POA is recognized and valid for international business transactions.

Thanks to modern technology, as of 2025, the government has made many of these processes easier. You can now get some POAs e-notarized through a video call. This makes it more convenient for people who cannot be in Dubai.

To understand how long your Power of Attorney remains valid in the UAE, read our guide on How Long a Power of Attorney is Valid.

While a business POA makes things simpler, a mistake can lead to legal and financial problems. You must be careful to avoid these common issues:

• Avoid Vague Authority Clauses: A frequent mistake is using a generic “general POA” for a specific, valuable transaction. For instance, a POA for a real estate sale must mention the property details. The Dubai Land Department might not accept a general POA for this.
• Align with Company Documents: The powers you grant in a POA must not go against your company’s Memorandum of Association (MOA) or Articles of Association (AOA). Your company’s rules must allow the principal to grant this authority. The notary public will often check these documents during the notarization process.
• Keep POAs Current: POAs don’t last forever unless stated otherwise in the draft. Some government offices might only accept a POA for a specific time, like one year. You should check and update your POAs regularly. Also, remember to officially cancel any old or unused POAs to prevent someone from misusing them.
• Verify the Agent’s Details: Always make sure the person you choose as your agent has the legal right to act for you. The agent must be an adult and mentally capable. Verifying their identity and trustworthiness is crucial because they will have a lot of power over your business.
• Use Proper Language: All legal documents in the UAE, including a POA, must be in Arabic or have a certified bilingual translation. If drafted in English, POA needs an approved legal translation from the Ministry of Justice to make it valid.

Following these tips helps businesses use the POA system correctly, protecting their assets and ensuring their operations run smoothly.

A business POA is a powerful tool that gives companies in Dubai flexibility and efficiency. The Dubai Courts, through the Notary Public, are the central authority that makes the document legally binding by notarizing it. Other government bodies, like the DED and Dubai Municipality, also require the notarized POA for specific business and administrative tasks.