Online Powers of Attorney In UAE

The Notary Public offices in the UAE have taken an innovative action during this COVID-19 crisis offering remote notarization of powers of attorney (“POA”). This indicates that the notarization of a POA can be completely executed online without having to leave home.

Notary Public offices in the UAE such as the Dubai Courts and the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (“ADJD”) now have online platforms for the notarization of POAs. However, the online process varies for each jurisdiction.

Online Notarization Process in Dubai

The Dubai Notary Public offers remote notarization of POAs through video call using the mobile application called BOTIM. The following information and documents are required in order to proceed with notarization via BOTIM:

• Power of Attorney
• Name(s) of the principal(s)
• Copies of valid IDs of the Principal(s)
• Copies of other supporting documents (i.e. title deed, vehicle registration card, trade license, etc. where applicable)
• BOTIM contact number(s) of the principal(s)
• Email address(es) of the principal(s)
• Name(s) of the attorney(s)
• Copies of valid IDs of the Attorney(s)

Once all the documents are in order, the Dubai Notary Public conducts a video call with the principal through BOTIM for the verification of identities and other documents.

Once the BOTIM video call is completed, the payment of the registration fee of the POA is required to be made before the Notary Public issues the notarized POA electronically by email.

Any individual, whether in the UAE or elsewhere, with or without a UAE residence visa and an Emirates ID, can have his POA notarized remotely with the Dubai Notary Public through this method.

Online Notarization Process in Abu Dhabi

The ADJD Notary Public offers online notarization of POAs via video call through the mobile application, Cisco WebEx Meeting. The following documents are required to be uploaded for approval of the POA by the ADJD:

• Signed Power of Attorney
• Copies of valid IDs of the Principal(s)
• Copies of valid IDs of the Attorney(s)
• Copy of the UAE Ministry of Justice license of the legal Arabic translator who translated the POA
• Copies of other supporting documents (i.e. title deed, vehicle registration card, trade license, etc. where applicable)

Once the POA is approved by the ADJD, the government fee of the POA needs to be paid online to the ADJD. Once paid, the slots for the video call appointment will be given to the principal to choose from, as per their convenience.

Once the WebEx video call is completed, the ADJD will issue the notarized POA via email.

However, you may note that only individuals who have a valid Emirates ID and UAE residence visa can proceed with the online registration of POAs with the ADJD through video call.

You may also note that the maximum validity of POAs registered with the ADJD is only up to three (3) years. Additionally, in some cases, online registration through video call will not be applicable for individuals who wish to obtain a Property POA as they will be required to visit the ADJD Notary Public office in person.