Tasheel

How Do You Get a Power of Attorney in Sharjah in 2026?

Quick answer: In Sharjah, a power of attorney (POA) is notarised under Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022, through the Ministry of Justice notary services, including its E-Notary system, or a licensed private notary. You can usually do it online by video call instead of visiting. Prepare your Emirates ID or passport and details of what the agent must do.

Sharjah residents need POAs for many everyday reasons: selling or renting out property, dealing with a bank, transferring a car, or appointing a lawyer for a court case. The good news is that the notary law is federal, and much of the process can now be done online. This guide explains where and how to get a power of attorney in Sharjah in 2026.

Where can you notarise a power of attorney in Sharjah?

In Sharjah, POAs are notarised through the Ministry of Justice notary services, including its E-Notary system on moj.gov.ae, or by a licensed private notary. Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah use the Ministry of Justice system, while Dubai uses Dubai Courts, Abu Dhabi uses the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) and Ras Al Khaimah uses RAK Courts.

Notarisation in every emirate is governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022 Regulating the Notary Profession, in force since 28 December 2022. It replaced Federal Law No. 4 of 2013. Only three kinds of official may perform notarial work: Public Notaries, licensed Private Notaries and accredited UAE consuls (Art. 3). A Private Notary must be licensed and entered in the register before practising (Art. 29).

Can you get a Sharjah POA online?

Yes, in most cases. The general rule is that the parties appear before the notary in person (Art. 17), but the notary may complete a transaction through information-technology means without personal appearance (Art. 18). Submitting documents, checking identity, appearing, paying and receiving notice can be done electronically, wholly or partly (Art. 19).

In practice, remote notarisation on the Ministry of Justice system is reported to work like this:

  1. Sign in with UAE PASS and upload the draft POA and supporting documents.
  2. Join a short video call so the notary can confirm your identity and consent.
  3. Receive the notarised POA digitally.

Notarised electronic documents have the same evidential value as official instruments (Art. 23). The notarised POA must be in Arabic, and a foreign language is allowed only in the cases set by a ministerial resolution (Art. 5). If the notary does not speak your language, an interpreter is used (Art. 8(3)).

Which documents do you need?

The notary checks identity using an Emirates ID, a passport or another official document (Art. 7(1)), and checks capacity, legal status and consent (Art. 7(2)). Prepare:

  • The principal’s Emirates ID and/or passport
  • The agent’s full name and Emirates ID or passport details
  • The draft POA, describing exactly what the agent may do
  • Property: the title deed or other ownership document
  • Tenancy: the lease and the property details
  • Vehicle: the registration card
  • Company: the trade licence, the MOA and, where needed, a board resolution

Some notaries also ask for proof of address. Make sure names are spelled the same way on every document.

Is a POA made in Dubai or abroad accepted in Sharjah?

A POA notarised in Dubai or any other emirate is notarised under the same federal law. Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022 applies across the UAE and in free zones (Art. 2). Even so, the authority, bank or other party in Sharjah decides whether the wording covers the transaction, so confirm its requirements before you sign.

A POA signed outside the UAE needs legalisation, because the UAE is not a party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. The usual chain is:

  1. Notarisation in the country where it is signed
  2. Legalisation by that country’s foreign ministry
  3. Legalisation by the UAE embassy or consulate there
  4. Attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)

A non-Arabic POA also needs a legal translation by a UAE-licensed translator. Alternatively, you can sign before an accredited UAE consul abroad (Art. 26).

What does a Sharjah property or tenancy POA need?

A property or tenancy POA should be a special POA that names the property and lists each act the agent may carry out. Generic wording can lead to refusal: the Dubai Land Department, for example, is reported to warn that generic wording in a property POA may lead to rejection.

Property ownership. Real estate registration in Sharjah is governed by Sharjah Law No. 5 of 2010, as amended by Sharjah Law No. 2 of 2022. Ownership is generally restricted to UAE and GCC citizens, with exceptions for ownership with the Ruler’s approval, inheritance, transfer to a first-degree relative, and ownership in real estate development areas and projects. Before an agent buys or sells for you, check that the planned purchase or sale is allowed under these rules.

Tenancy. Leasing in Sharjah is governed by Sharjah Law No. 5 of 2024, which repealed Sharjah Law No. 2 of 2007. Reports on the new law say the landlord must have the lease certified by the municipality. If you are a landlord who lives elsewhere, a special POA that names the property and covers signing and certifying leases and collecting rent can allow your agent to handle these steps. Check the municipality’s requirements for agents before you sign.

How long does it take, and what are the official fees?

When documents are ready and the principal can join the video call, an online POA can often be notarised on the same day. A POA made abroad takes longer, because of legalisation and MOFA attestation.

Official fees apply and depend on the type of POA and the channel used. We confirm the full cost, including official fees, before we start.

How do you cancel a POA in Sharjah?

Sign a notarised revocation, then notify the agent and everyone relying on the POA, such as banks and the property or municipal departments. If they are not told, they may continue to rely on the old POA. Read our guide on preventing the misuse of a power of attorney.

How Tasheel Legal can help Sharjah clients

Tasheel Legal Consultancy in Dubai prepares POAs for Sharjah residents, landlords, buyers and companies. We serve Sharjah clients from our Dubai office (Al Twar 5), by phone, WhatsApp and online. Our legal team:

  • advises whether you need a general or a special POA, and on the exact wording
  • drafts the POA in Arabic, with an English version where needed
  • arranges online notarisation by video call, inside or outside the UAE
  • explains legalisation and attestation for POAs made abroad or used abroad

Find out more about how we get a power of attorney online. Call or WhatsApp +971 50 175 0107 (WhatsApp), or email info@tasheellegal.ae. Office hours are Saturday to Thursday, 9:00 to 17:00.

Frequently asked questions

Can a Sharjah resident use the Dubai or Ministry of Justice e-notary?

Sharjah falls under the Ministry of Justice notary system, which offers an E-Notary service, and licensed private notaries can also notarise POAs. Dubai Courts e-services serve Dubai. All notaries apply the same federal law, Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022, so the right channel depends mainly on where the POA will be used and what it covers.

Is a POA notarised in Dubai valid in Sharjah?

It is notarised under the same federal law that applies in every emirate, Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022. Whether a particular Sharjah authority, bank or buyer accepts it also depends on the wording and on that party’s own requirements. Check what the receiving party needs before the POA is drafted, especially for property.

What documents do I need for a POA in Sharjah?

You need the principal’s Emirates ID or passport, which the notary uses to check identity (Art. 7(1)), the agent’s ID details, and a draft POA describing exactly what the agent may do. Add documents about the asset, such as a title deed, lease, vehicle registration card or trade licence. Some notaries also ask for proof of address.

Can I make a Sharjah property or tenancy POA online?

Yes, the notary law allows notarisation by electronic means without personal appearance (Arts. 18 and 19), so a property or tenancy POA can usually be done by video call. It should name the property and list each act, such as selling, leasing, certifying the lease or collecting rent. Check the receiving authority’s requirements first.

How long does a POA take in Sharjah?

When documents are ready and the principal can join the video call, an online POA can often be notarised on the same day. A POA signed abroad takes longer, because it must be legalised by the UAE embassy or consulate and attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs before it can be used in Sharjah.

Last updated: 20 October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Contact us about your own situation.

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