Fees and steps checked on
Canadian power of attorney attestation lets someone in the UAE act for you on a document you sign in Canada. You sign before a Canadian notary, the province or Global Affairs Canada apostilles it, the UAE Embassy in Ottawa attests it, and MOFA completes it. It can then be used in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the other emirates.
Price: quoted after you share the draft, as powers of attorney sit with commercial-type documents. The quote is a total price, all official fees and courier included. See attestation fees.
What a power of attorney from Canada is used for
People who live in Canada give a representative in the UAE authority to sell or rent property, deal with a bank, run a court case or handle a company licence. Canadian companies use one to appoint a manager or signatory for a UAE branch, alongside the papers on Canada company documents attestation.
The office that will act on it decides what wording it accepts. Ask them, or the lawyer handling your matter, to approve the draft before you sign. A vague power of attorney is often refused at the receiving end, and a new one means a new chain.
Sign in Canada or in the UAE
| Where you are when you sign | Route |
|---|---|
| In Canada | Canadian notary, apostille, UAE Embassy Ottawa, MOFA |
| In the UAE | Signed before a UAE notary, no foreign chain |
If you will be in the UAE anyway, signing here is quicker. See power of attorney in Dubai. The general rules for any country are on power of attorney attestation.
Four steps for a power of attorney signed in Canada
- Sign before the notary. Bring your passport and the approved draft to a Canadian notary public. You sign in front of them and they certify your signature.
- Apostille. The notary's province decides who issues it. Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan have their own competent authority. Other provinces, the territories and federal documents go to Global Affairs Canada, which does not charge a fee.
- UAE Embassy in Ottawa. Your document waits at least 3 to 5 business days here. Bookings run through VFS Global on the MOFA portal, with online payment only.
- MOFA. MOFA attestation in the UAE is the final stamp before the document goes to the court, bank or land department.
The apostille alone will not do. Canada joined the Apostille Convention on 11 January 2024, but the UAE is not a member.
Arabic translation
MOFA works with documents in Arabic or English. Courts and the land department often want Arabic, so a legal translation is usually prepared once the document is back. Ask the receiving office before you sign whether it wants a bilingual text instead.
What to send
- The draft, or the signed and notarised original.
- A passport copy for you and for the person you are appointing.
- The name of the UAE office that will use it.
We collect and deliver free anywhere in Dubai.
Common problems with Canadian powers of attorney
- Signed at home first. A notary cannot certify a signature they did not see. Sign at the appointment.
- Passport details. Names and passport numbers must match the passports exactly.
- Quebec documents in French. Add the translation early so the file is not held up.
- Wrong grantor type. A company's power of attorney is commercial. Say so from the start.
Personal papers such as degrees and marriage certificates are on Canada certificate attestation.
Official sources
Sources reviewed on .
