Powers of attorney and notarization in Egypt for foreigners: Ministry of Justice, real-estate publicity and Digital Egypt

Authority

• The Ministry of Justice and the Real Estate Publicity and Notarization Authority: notarial instruments and powers of attorney made in Egypt.
• The Digital Egypt platform: digital notarization services, including “I want to make a power of attorney” and several types of mandate.
• The Egypt Services Centre: its list includes a general official power of attorney, a litigation power of attorney, a special power of attorney, and mandates for banks and taxes, among others.

Doing it in Egypt

1. Identify the type of instrument (general or special power of attorney, a litigation mandate, or another form).
2. Book through Digital Egypt or attend a Real Estate Publicity and Notarization office, following the Egypt Services Centre list.
3. Attend in person to sign, with a valid identity document. A foreigner is ordinarily asked for a valid passport; the office applies the formalities in force at the time.
4. Collect the instrument or an official copy, and have it translated if the body that will receive it so requires.

Instruments made abroad

A power of attorney made abroad or before a foreign consular post is used in Egypt only after the legalization required by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by the body that will receive the instrument. Real Estate Publicity and Notarization offices may, under the rules in force, accept a legalized instrument and keep a copy. Follow the chain of legalization that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the receiving body require at the time.

FAQ

Must I attend in person?

Making a power of attorney usually requires the principal to attend and sign. A mandate already made and legalized may be used by the attorney-in-fact within its terms.

How Wang Fu can help

• Preparing and translating the file (Chinese, Arabic, English).
• Interpreting when you meet the authorities or file papers.