Need an official power of attorney quickly, but the working hours of the Notary Public Office do not suit your schedule or circumstances? This is where a licensed notary comes in. Yes, you can have a power of attorney in Saudi Arabia notarized by a notary licensed by the Ministry of Justice at any time, without visiting the Notary Public Office, and then verify its validity electronically after issuance. In this guide, you will learn about the procedures, the fees prescribed by the regulations, how to choose the powers granted under the power of attorney carefully, and what you should review before approving it.
Notarizing a power of attorney through a notary means having it issued by a notary licensed by the Ministry of Justice through the Mwathiq platform. It is approved immediately without visiting the Notary Public Office, and all parties are notified. The notary and the relevant parties agree on the fee within the regulatory limits, which range from SAR 100 to SAR 4,000 for powers of attorney. After issuance, the power of attorney can be verified through the Ministry of Justice portal.
Worried about granting broader powers than you intend? The team at Al-Shatiri & Al-Ghamdi Law Firm can help you understand your options, identify the clauses and duration appropriate to your purpose, and determine which documents are required before notarization.
What Does It Mean to Have Attorney power of attorney in Saudi Arabia?
A power of attorney is an authorization granted to another person to act on your behalf in a specific matter. Once officially notarized, it becomes admissible before authorities that require it. A notary is a person licensed by the Ministry of Justice to perform notarization services after meeting the applicable requirements and passing a personal interview. These services are provided through the Mwathiq platform, which operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice.
The platform’s services include issuing and revoking powers of attorney, notarizing companies’ articles of incorporation, real estate conveyances, financial acknowledgments, and real estate mortgages. When a power of attorney is issued through the platform, it is approved immediately without a visit to the Notary Public Office, and all parties receive a notification of its issuance.
- Principal: The person who holds the right and authorizes another person to act on their behalf.
- Agent: The person who carries out the specific act authorized under the power of attorney.
- Licensed notary: A person who performs notarization services under a license issued in accordance with the Notarization Law.
- Notary Public: A qualified government employee specializing in the notarization of contracts and acknowledgments at the Notary Public Office.
Types of Powers of Attorney That Can Be Notarized
| Type | When It May Be Suitable | What to Keep in Mind |
| Special power of attorney | For a specific purpose, such as selling a particular property, following up on a transaction, or handling a single case. | Identify the subject matter precisely (such as the deed number or case number) and specify the duration. |
| General power of attorney | For managing your affairs generally during an extended absence. | Its risk lies in its broad scope; expressly exclude anything you do not wish to authorize. |
| Multi-party power of attorney | Where there are several principals or agents, such as heirs or business partners. | Specify whether the agents may act individually or must act jointly. |
| Power of attorney for business entities | Authorizing an employee or lawyer to represent a company. | It is issued pursuant to the manager’s powers under the company’s articles of incorporation. |
Licensed Notary, Notary Public Office, or Najiz: Which Should You Choose?
There are several ways to issue a power of attorney in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, each with its own characteristics. The table below summarizes the differences that may affect your decision, followed by a separate practical assessment.
| Comparison | Licensed Notary | Notary Public Office | Najiz Portal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service hours | Available at any time, according to the Mwathiq platform. | During official working hours only. | Electronically through the portal. |
| Need to visit the Notary Public Office | No visit is required; the power of attorney is approved immediately. | A visit to the office is required. | No visit is required for cases available through the portal. |
| Fee | Agreed upon with the notary, within the minimum of SAR 100 and maximum of SAR 4,000 for powers of attorney. | Fees determined by a Council of Ministers resolution. | Refer to the official service page. |
| Legal entities | Requirements are determined by the service provider. | Available according to the office’s jurisdiction. | Some legal entities cannot be represented through the portal and must complete the process through the Virtual Notary Public Office. |
Practical assessment (not a regulatory provision): A licensed notary may suit someone who needs to complete a power of attorney outside official working hours or wishes to consult a qualified professional about drafting its clauses before approval. The electronic process may suit someone whose circumstances are covered by the portal and who prefers to complete the procedure independently.
Steps for Notarizing a Power of Attorney Through a Notary
- Determine the purpose of the power of attorney: Clearly state what you want the agent to do on your behalf, which authority or entity they will deal with, and for how long. This step should precede any contact with the notary and can reduce the need for revisions.
- Find a licensed notary through the official platform: Visit the Mwathiq platform, select the power-of-attorney notarization service and your city, then search for the nearest licensed notary.
- Agree on the fee: The notary and the relevant parties agree on the fee, which is recorded in the notarization transaction using the designated form, within the limits prescribed by law.
- Review the parties’ details and the wording of the power of attorney: Check the names and identification numbers of the principal and agent, and make sure that every clause reflects your actual intentions before approving it.
- Complete the approval process and save the power-of-attorney details: After issuance, the parties receive a notification. You can verify its validity through the designated Ministry of Justice portal.
Would you like to ensure that the clauses of your power of attorney are properly drafted before contacting the notary? Contact us to review the wording and learn which documents are required.
Fees for Notarizing a Power of Attorney
The fees below are updated as of September 2026, based on the Notarization Law and its Implementing Regulations published by the Ministry of Justice and the relevant government authorities. They may change; please verify the information with the official source.
| Transaction Type | Fee | Collecting Party | Official Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notarizing a power of attorney through a licensed notary | SAR 100 to SAR 4,000, depending on the agreement. | Licensed notary | Implementing Regulations of the Notarization Law |
| General fee range for any notarization act performed by a licensed notary | SAR 100 to SAR 5,000. | Licensed notary | Notarization Law, Article 54 |
Verification date: September 2026. The ranges above represent the regulatory limits on fees, not fixed prices. The actual amount varies according to the agreement between the parties.
Realistic Timeframes
| Question | Answer |
| How long does it usually take to issue a power of attorney through a notary once all documents are complete? | A few minutes, provided there are no system issues. |
| How long does it usually take to notarize articles of incorporation or an amendment? | One business day. |
| What are 3–5 actual reasons for a notarization request being returned or rejected (anonymized)? | Expiration of the principal’s national ID or residence permit; foreign companies cannot have a power of attorney issued for them through a notary. |
How to Define the Powers and Duration of a Power of Attorney
This is the part that deserves more of your attention than any other procedural step. The following are practical precautions, not binding legal provisions:
- Limit the powers as much as possible. If the purpose is to deal with a single government authority, do not grant a power of attorney that includes selling property or waiving rights.
- Expressly specify sensitive transactions. Sale, acknowledgment, waiver, and receipt of funds are clauses that should be expressly stated and granted only when genuinely necessary.
- Choose a duration appropriate to the purpose. A temporary power of attorney for a single transaction does not require a lengthy term.
- Separate different purposes. Issuing a separate power of attorney for each purpose is clearer and easier to revoke than issuing one broad, open-ended authorization.
- Review the entire text before approval. The notary’s role is to notarize what the parties request. Whether the powers are appropriate for your circumstances is your decision, and you may seek a lawyer’s assistance in reviewing them.
What May Delay a Power-of-Attorney Notarization Request?
There is no single timeframe that applies to every case, as the speed of completion depends on the parties’ readiness and the availability of a notary. The following factors commonly affect the time required; they are practical observations rather than official figures:
- Missing or incorrect details for the principal or agent, such as an identification number or name.
- An incomplete power-of-attorney text or ambiguous clauses that require redrafting.
- Differences in the spelling of names across the submitted documents.
- The principal being a legal entity, since representation of certain legal entities is not available through Najiz and a different procedure and additional documents may be required.
- The unavailability of a licensed notary in your city at the required time.
How to Verify or Revoke a Power of Attorney
After issuance, you can verify the validity of the power of attorney through the Ministry of Justice Power of Attorney Verification Service by entering the required information. If you wish to terminate a previous authorization, the Mwathiq platform provides an electronic revocation service. The revocation is approved without visiting the Notary Public Office, and all parties to the power of attorney are notified.
Frequently Asked Questions About Notarizing a Power of Attorney Through a Licensed Notary
Can a power of attorney be notarized without visiting the Notary Public Office?
Yes. The Mwathiq platform allows a power of attorney to be issued through a licensed notary. It is approved immediately without visiting the Notary Public Office, and the parties are notified.
How much does it cost to notarize a power of attorney through a notary?
The notary and the relevant parties agree on the fee. For powers of attorney, it ranges from SAR 100 to SAR 4,000, according to the schedule accompanying the Implementing Regulations of the Notarization Law. The fees are updated as of September 2026; verify the official source before reaching an agreement.
How can I confirm that a notary is licensed?
Search through the official Mwathiq platform, which lists notaries by city. A notary is a person licensed by the Ministry of Justice after satisfying the applicable requirements and passing a personal interview.
What is the difference between a notary and a Notary Public?
A Notary Public is a government employee who works at the Notary Public Office during official working hours. A licensed notary, by contrast, operates under a license issued in accordance with the Notarization Law, and their services are available at any time according to the Mwathiq platform.
How can I verify the validity of a power of attorney issued to me?
Use the Ministry of Justice Power of Attorney Verification Service and enter the required information to view the verification result immediately.
Can I revoke a power of attorney that I had notarized through a notary?
Yes. The platform provides an electronic power-of-attorney revocation service. The revocation is approved without visiting the Notary Public Office, and all parties to the power of attorney are notified.
Do government entities accept powers of attorney issued by a notary?
The Ministry of Justice has issued a circular to government agencies announcing the commencement of notaries’ work in issuing and revoking powers of attorney. Nevertheless, a particular authority may require verification of the power of attorney before accepting it. Keep its details and consult the relevant authority.
Having a power of attorney notarized through a licensed notary is a flexible, legally recognized option for those whose schedules do not accommodate the working hours of the Notary Public Office. However, ease of issuance does not mean that the decision should be rushed. The most important step is to understand exactly what you are authorizing someone to do and for how long. Start by defining your purpose, then choose a licensed notary through the official platform, review the wording before approval, and verify the power of attorney after issuance. If you have a special case, a company power of attorney, or a sensitive transaction, consult the Guide to Notarization by a Licensed Notary for a comprehensive overview, or send us the details of the authorization you need so that we can draft and notarize it. If you would like us to handle the procedure for you, the firm’s service prices are published on the Notarization Services page.
Sources:
- Mwathiq platform, a service operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice.
- Implementing Regulations of the Notarization Law, Ministry of Justice Legal Portal.
- Notarization Law, Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers.
- Power of Attorney Verification Service, Ministry of Justice.
- Power of Attorney Registration Request, National Unified Platform.
- Najiz Portal, Ministry of Justice.
