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How to Execute a Power of Attorney from Abroad

Need someone in Pakistan to manage your property, bank account, or legal matters? This guide covers how to create, notarise, and apostille a POA from your country of residence.

Overseas⏱ 2–5 days💰 USD 50–300 (notary + apostille + attestation)
  • Your valid passport
  • Details of the person you are authorising (their full name and CNIC number)
  • Specific description of what powers you are granting (property address, bank account details, etc.)
  • Access to a local notary public in your country of residence
  • Apostille service (if your country is a Hague Convention member) OR Pakistani embassy attestation
1
Draft the POA
Write or have a lawyer draft a Power of Attorney document in English. Clearly state: your full name and passport number, the attorney-in-fact's name and CNIC number, the exact powers being granted (e.g. sell property at Plot 5, Block A, DHA Lahore), and any time limits. Be specific — vague POAs are often rejected.
2
Get it notarised locally
Take the signed POA to a local notary public in your country of residence. The notary verifies your identity and witnesses your signature. This costs USD 10–50 depending on your country.
3
Apostille OR embassy attestation
If your country is a Hague Convention member (USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, etc.), get an Apostille stamp on the document from your country's competent authority (e.g. Secretary of State in the US, Foreign & Commonwealth Office in the UK). If your country is NOT a member, get the document attested by the Pakistani embassy/consulate instead.
4
Send to Pakistan
Once apostilled or attested, courier the original document to your representative in Pakistan. They must then get the document attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in Islamabad or a provincial foreign affairs office.
5
Register with local authority if needed
For property transactions, the POA may need to be registered with the Sub-Registrar or relevant authority in the city where the property is located. Your attorney-in-fact handles this locally. Required for court matters and many property deals.
  • Hire a Pakistani lawyer to draft the POA — a poorly worded POA can be rejected by banks or property registrars
  • Include an expiry date on the POA (e.g. valid for 1 year) to limit risk
  • Keep a certified copy of the POA yourself before sending the original
  • For property sales, the buyer's bank may have specific POA wording requirements — ask them before drafting
  • Some banks in Pakistan accept only specific types of POA for account operations — check with the bank first
Can I do a POA over video call?
Not for Pakistani legal use. The notarisation must be a physical in-person signing. Some countries allow remote online notarisation (RON) but this is generally not accepted for Pakistani property or banking transactions.
What is the difference between General and Special POA?
A General POA grants broad powers across many matters. A Special (or Limited) POA grants authority for one specific task only (e.g. sell a specific property). For high-value matters, a Special POA is safer.
My POA was rejected by the bank. What now?
Banks often have their own POA templates. Ask the bank for their required wording, redo the POA with a notary, and resubmit after apostille/attestation again.
Does a POA survive my death?
No. A standard POA automatically ends upon the death of the grantor. If you need someone to manage your estate after death, you need a Will, not a POA.
Last updated: 2026-03-22. Requirements and fees can change — always verify with the official office before visiting.