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: Verifies identities, witnesses POA signing, and notarizes business POAs in person or via the e-Notary system.

2. Ministry of Justice (MOJ): Attests POAs for legal matters, ensuring validity for court representation and legal proceedings.

3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation (MOFAIC): Attests POAs issued outside the UAE for recognition in the country, especially for international transactions.

4. Ministry of Economy and Tourism (MOET): Handles POAs related to changes in a company’s legal representative or agent, often via their online portal.

Free Zones and Their Notary Systems

In free zones like DIFC and ADGM, POAs follow separate notary and public registry procedures, distinct from Dubai Courts. Businesses in these zones must comply with their specific requirements, which can differ from the mainland POA process.

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: Confirms the identities of the principal and agent using Emirates IDs or passports.

• Witnessing: Observes the signing to ensure it’s voluntary and understood.

• Attestation: Adds the notary’s stamp and signature, making the POA legally valid 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: The POA must be a written document, preferably in Arabic or bilingual (Arabic + English) with an official translation. Verbal agreements are not valid.

• Clear Scope of Authority: Clearly define the agent’s powers; vague clauses may be rejected for major transactions like real estate or business deals.

• Notarization and Registration: Get the POA notarized by a Notary Public to confirm the principal’s identity. For certain transactions, such as property deals, register the POA with the relevant authority (e.g., 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: POAs for use outside the UAE must be attested by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and, in some cases, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to ensure international recognition and validity.

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: Ensure the POA powers comply with your company’s MOA or AOA; notaries often verify this during notarization.

• Keep POAs Current: Update POAs regularly and cancel any old or unused ones to prevent misuse; some authorities accept POAs for a limited time (e.g., one year).

• Verify the Agent’s Details: The agent must be an adult, mentally capable, and trustworthy, as they hold significant authority.

• Use Proper Language: POAs must be in Arabic or a certified bilingual translation; English versions require an approved Ministry of Justice translation.

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.