Power of Attorney (POA) Legalization for the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that authorizes another person—known as an agent or attorney-in-fact—to act on behalf of the document holder. It may grant authority to manage personal, legal, or financial matters while the principal is abroad or unable to handle these affairs directly.
When a Power of Attorney is issued in the United States and intended for use in the UAE, it must undergo a complete legalization process to be recognized by UAE authorities, courts, and financial institutions. This ensures that the document is authentic, valid, and enforceable within the UAE legal framework.
Legalization Process for Power of Attorney for Use in the UAE
The UAE Power of Attorney Legalization process includes several official verification steps to confirm the document’s authenticity and legitimacy:
Notarization:
The process begins with notarization by a licensed U.S. Notary Public. This step confirms that the signatures on the document are genuine and that the principal appeared before the notary voluntarily.State Certification:
Once notarized, the document must be certified by the Secretary of State from the issuing state. This step validates the authority and authenticity of the notary public’s seal and signature.U.S. Department of State Authentication:
The notarized and state-certified POA is submitted to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. for federal authentication. This ensures the document is officially verified before submission to UAE authorities.
Finally, the document is presented to the Embassy of the UAE in Washington, D.C. Once the embassy affixes its official seal and signature, the Power of Attorney becomes legally recognized for use in the UAE.
Personal Document Legalization Processing Time & Fees.
| Service | Fees | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Service fee | $100 | - |
| U.S. Department of State fee | $20 | 9 |
| Embassy of UAE fee | $140 | 8 |
| Total | $260 | 17 business days |
Importance of Power of Attorney Legalization in the UAE
Legalization of a POA is mandatory for individuals who wish to:
Authorize a trusted representative to manage personal legal matters in the UAE.
Complete property transactions or sign related documents on their behalf.
Handle banking, pension, or inheritance affairs.
Represent them before UAE courts or administrative bodies.
Without embassy legalization, a U.S.-issued Power of Attorney will not be accepted by UAE authorities, potentially resulting in transaction delays or legal complications.
Ensuring Compliance and Validity
To be accepted in the UAE, the Power of Attorney must:
Be written in clear legal language identifying the principal and the agent.
Be properly notarized and authenticated by the issuing state.
Carry the official seal of the UAE Embassy confirming its validity for use within UAE jurisdiction.
Legalization provides assurance that the document is genuine, legally binding, and enforceable under UAE law.