Does a power of attorney need to be notarised to be valid in the UAE?

For most meaningful uses in the UAE, yes, a power of attorney (POA) needs to be notarised by a notary public to be accepted by courts, government departments, banks, and the land registry. UAE authorities generally require a notarised POA before allowing an agent to handle property transfers, represent a principal in litigation, manage company affairs, or carry out significant financial transactions. A simple unnotarised letter of authority may be accepted for minor, informal matters, but it will usually not be enough for official or court dealings, where the institution wants verified proof that the principal genuinely granted the authority and had capacity to do so. Notarisation is what gives the POA that official evidentiary weight. POAs are also typically prepared in Arabic (or bilingually) because the Arabic text governs in official use. Requirements can differ slightly between emirates and between mainland and free-zone authorities such as DIFC or ADGM. If you are unsure whether your document will be accepted for your specific purpose, you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI to confirm the correct notarised form before you rely on it.