A power of attorney (PoA) is a formal document authorizing another person (the agent) to act on your behalf in specific matters — administrative, financial, or legal. In Saudi Arabia, a PoA is notarized through the Ministry of Justice's official platforms, and it can also be requested through a licensed lawyer who drafts its wording to fit the intended purpose.
Individual power of attorney
This is the most common form: one individual authorizes another to act on a specific personal matter, such as selling a property, collecting dues, or following up on a government procedure. Its wording is usually simpler, with directly and clearly stated authority.
Corporate power of attorney
When the principal is a company rather than an individual, a PoA differs in two ways. First, the authority of the person signing on the company's behalf must be established (typically whoever holds signing authority per the commercial registration or articles of incorporation). Second, the granted authority is often broader or tied specifically to company business (signing contracts, opening bank accounts, representing the company before government entities) — which calls for more detailed wording to avoid any ambiguity in the scope of authority granted.
General points worth noting
- Define the granted authority clearly — a broad, general PoA carries more risk than a purpose-specific one.
- Check the expiry date if one exists, and whether it can be revoked if you need to later.
- Keep an official, notarized copy, not an unnotarized scan, especially for financial PoAs.
This article is general information only. To have a PoA drafted precisely for your situation — individual or corporate — you can submit a direct notarization request under the "Notarization Services" category on the platform, and a licensed lawyer will prepare it.