A genuinely common question from overseas buyers: "Do I actually need to fly to Dubai to sign anything?" The answer is no — a properly notarised Power of Attorney (POA) lets a trusted representative complete the entire purchase on your behalf, from signing the agreement to collecting the title deed.
The two types of POA
| Type | Use case |
|---|---|
| General POA | Broad authority; accepted by the Dubai Land Department mainly when the representative is an immediate family member |
| Special (Specific) POA | Limited to exactly what you specify — the standard, safer choice for a single property purchase |
For most overseas buyers working with a lawyer, agent, or friend (rather than immediate family), a Special POA is both required and the more sensible choice — it limits your representative's authority to precisely the transaction you've authorised.
Two routes to notarisation
If you're inside the UAE
Notarisation can be completed at the Dubai Courts Notary Public, a licensed private notary, or through the e-Notary platform under Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2022, which permits electronic notarisation. A POA issued this way inside the UAE has no fixed expiry unless you specify one.
If you're outside the UAE
This requires a longer attestation chain: notarisation at a local notary in your country of residence, legalisation by your home country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or an apostille, depending on the country), then attestation by the UAE Embassy or Consulate, and finally the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Many overseas buyers now use licensed UAE private notary services offering a remote video-call notarisation session instead, which can remove several steps from this chain — worth asking your notary provider directly which route applies to your country.
Documents you'll need
- Clear colour copy of your passport (and your representative's)
- The POA drafted in Arabic, or in English with a certified legal translation
- Property-specific details: plot number, title deed or Oqood reference
- Active phone number and email for both parties
What your representative does on your behalf
With a valid, attested POA in hand, your representative can negotiate terms, sign the reservation or sale agreement, pay associated fees, and attend the DLD trustee office to complete registration and collect the title deed — the entire process without you needing to be physically present at any stage.