How to Issue a Power of Attorney in Saudi Arabia: Steps, Requirements and Tips

Today, a power of attorney in Saudi Arabia is issued in one of two main ways: online through the Najiz platform of the Ministry of Justice, or in person with a licensed notary authorised by the Ministry. Either way, the power of attorney is recorded in the justice system under a number that can be verified, and all you need is a valid ID, the agent's details and a clear choice of the clauses you want to authorise them to act on.

What is a power of attorney and why might you need one?

A power of attorney is a legal act by which one person (the principal) authorises another (the agent) to act on their behalf in specified matters, such as dealing with government authorities, managing a bank account, representing them before the courts, or completing real estate or commercial procedures. It becomes especially useful when you are travelling, short on time, or when the matter calls for specialist expertise, such as a lawyer or a government relations agent (mu'aqqib).

Because a power of attorney gives someone else powers that may affect your money and rights, the precision of its wording matters just as much as the issuing procedure. As a general rule, the principal must have full legal capacity and be entitled to carry out the act being delegated, and the agent must be legally competent to perform it. The subject matter must also be lawful and capable of being delegated; some acts of a purely personal nature cannot, by their nature, be performed by an agent.

What are the ways to issue a power of attorney in Saudi Arabia?

• Najiz online platform: the fastest option for most individuals, allowing you to issue a power of attorney without visiting any office.
• Licensed notary: suitable when you need help choosing the clauses, when your case involves special circumstances the online service does not directly support, or when the principal needs step-by-step guidance.
• Notary public offices (Kitabat Al-Adl): still available for certain cases, as determined by the Ministry of Justice.

How do you issue a power of attorney online through Najiz?

1. Log in to Najiz using your Nafath (National Unified Access) account.
2. Go to the power of attorney services and select the service for issuing a power of attorney.
3. Specify the principal's capacity (individual, representative of an entity, guardian, or another option, depending on what is available).
4. Enter the details of the agent or agents accurately, such as ID number and date of birth.
5. Select the clauses of the power of attorney from the categorised lists (banks, real estate, courts, companies, government authorities and others).
6. Set a duration if you want to limit it, and review all the details before approving.
7. Confirm the request with the verification code, then receive the power of attorney electronically together with its number.

Some steps or labels may differ as the platform is updated, so it is advisable to read the on-screen instructions before approving.

What should you do after issuing the power of attorney?

Keep the power of attorney number and its electronic copy, and send it to your agent so they can present it to the relevant authority. Any authority or person can verify the validity and status of the power of attorney through the Ministry of Justice's official enquiry services, which reduces the risk of forgery. It is also worth reviewing the list of your powers of attorney on the platform from time to time, so you know which are still in force and can revoke any you no longer need, especially older ones that include financial or real estate powers.

What requirements and documents do you need?

• A valid national ID or residence permit (iqama) for the principal, and an activated Nafath account.
• The agent's full and correct ID details.
• When acting on behalf of an entity: proof of the signatory's capacity and authority, such as the commercial registration (CR), the articles of association or a partners' resolution.
• When acting as a guardian or custodian: the deed or document proving that capacity.
• Payment of any applicable fee, which is set by the competent authority and may change from time to time, so please check it on the official platform.

How do you choose the right clauses?

The most common problems with powers of attorney have nothing to do with issuing them. They arise when the authority the agent deals with refuses to proceed because the required clause is missing. To avoid this:

• Define the purpose precisely before you start, and ask the authority your agent will deal with which clauses it requires.
• Do not grant wider powers than you need, particularly regarding selling, transferring title, receiving funds and waiving rights.
• Limit the power of attorney to a set period if the purpose is temporary.
• Review the difference between a general and a special power of attorney before choosing, as each has different uses and risks.

If the transaction is sensitive or relates to a company or property, reviewing the clauses with a specialist before issuing will save you from having to repeat the process later. You can also learn more about our powers of attorney and acknowledgments service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is an electronic power of attorney issued through Najiz accepted by authorities? A: Yes. Powers of attorney issued through Najiz are notarised with the Ministry of Justice, and authorities can verify them using the power of attorney number through the official enquiry services.

Q: Can a power of attorney be issued to more than one agent? A: Yes. You can add more than one agent and specify whether each may act alone or whether they must act jointly, depending on the options available.

Q: Can I cancel a power of attorney after it has been issued? A: Yes. The principal is entitled to revoke the power of attorney in accordance with the approved procedures, bearing in mind cases where a third party's right is attached to it.

How can we help?

FATIMA AL ASMARI Law & Intellectual Property Company in Jeddah, licensed by the Ministry of Justice for legal practice and notarization, issues powers of attorney and reviews their clauses for clients across all regions of the Kingdom. If you are unsure which clauses suit your transaction, book a consultation or contact us on +966 56 685 9556.

Legal sources

This article is for general awareness and is not legal advice.