Notarizing a Power of Attorney Through Absher 2026: Types, Steps, and Cancellation

Electronic notarization of a power of attorney through Absher on the Najiz platform: issuance steps, types of power of attorney, how to cancel it, and a practical guide for individuals and business owners.

You've hit a wall on a platform because you don't have anyone authorized to act on your behalf, or you need to open a file in your name without being present. A power of attorney is authorizing another person to act on your behalf in a specific legal matter, and you'll need one before government bodies, courts, and banks. The good news: the Ministry of Justice now lets you notarize a power of attorney electronically through Absher, with no printing, no stamping, and no visit to a notary.

In this guide, we walk through the steps to issue an electronic power of attorney through the Najiz platform, the types of electronic powers of attorney in Saudi Arabia, canceling or terminating one, and the difference between a paper and an electronic power of attorney, with notes for elderly individuals and business owners.

What Is a Power of Attorney, and How Is It Issued Electronically?

A power of attorney is a contract by which one person (the principal) authorizes another (the agent) to carry out a specific legal act, or a set of acts, on their behalf, with the authority limited to what's stated in the power of attorney's terms and its duration. It's one of the most commonly used instruments for authorizing a lawyer or a family member in a judicial or banking matter.

Notarizing a power of attorney electronically through Absher is a modern process that removes the notary from the equation entirely. The official service is called "Issue a Power of Attorney," and it's carried out through the Najiz platform after logging in through Nafath, the national single sign-on linked to Absher. In other words, Absher is the identity verification tool, while the actual issuance happens on Najiz.

The service is free and instant, and the power of attorney is stored electronically with the Ministry and appears under "My Powers of Attorney."

Types of Electronic Powers of Attorney in Saudi Arabia

The first classification is by the nature of the authorization: a special power of attorney, the most commonly used, authorizes the agent for a specific task or set of tasks, while a general power of attorney grants broader authority. The second classification is by subject or authority, and this is the one used when issuing the power of attorney:

Court and litigation powers of attorney for pleading in cases.
Real estate powers of attorney for procedures with the General Real Estate Authority and municipalities.
Banking and salary powers of attorney with banks and financial institutions.
Records and municipal powers of attorney, and civil affairs powers of attorney.
Social security and welfare powers of attorney, and others.

The most important practical point: the power of attorney you choose must match its intended purpose. A power of attorney issued under "Courts" doesn't give the agent authority over your bank account.

Steps to Notarize a Power of Attorney Through Absher in 2026

The journey from logging in to receiving your confirmation text takes just minutes:

Log in to Najiz via Nafath, either from najiz.sa or the app.
Select "All Electronic Services," then the "Powers of Attorney and Declarations" bundle.
Click "Issue a Power of Attorney," then "Submit a New Request."
Enter the principal's and agent's details, which appear automatically for verification.
Select the power of attorney's terms from the list of authorized subjects — this is what actually determines the scope of your authority.
Choose the duration, then review and click "Approve." The power of attorney is issued, with a notification sent to both parties.

The core requirements: a valid national ID or residency permit, being at least 18 years old, no legal restrictions or bans, and an activated Nafath account. If you're authorizing someone on behalf of a company, you'll need to activate an Absher Business account and a "Najiz Business" account before submitting the request.

Can an Electronic Power of Attorney Be Cancelled?

Yes — a power of attorney can be cancelled or terminated entirely, electronically, by either party, with no need to visit a notary:

Log in to Najiz via Nafath.
Go to "All Electronic Services," then "My Powers of Attorney" or the "Cancel a Power of Attorney" service.
Select the power of attorney you want from your list, and review its terms and duration.
Execute the cancellation, either for the entire power of attorney or specific terms, then confirm the request.

The platform allows partial cancellation — canceling specific terms while the rest remain in effect. Also, the death of either party automatically ends the power of attorney, since it's personal by nature. One important note: cancellation doesn't invalidate actions already carried out under the power of attorney before the cancellation.

The Difference Between a Paper and an Electronic Power of Attorney

Both methods create a valid power of attorney — the difference is in execution, not in principle:

Aspect	Paper Power of Attorney	Electronic Power of Attorney via Najiz
Where it's issued	In person at a notary	From home, via Najiz
Time	Days, may require an appointment	Instant
Printing and stamping	Required	Not required
Loss or damage	A real possibility	Stored under "My Powers of Attorney"
Use outside the system	Easier for external parties	May need a certified copy or translation

The practical exception where paper still applies: if you'll be using the power of attorney outside the Kingdom, or before a body that doesn't connect with the electronic platform, you may need a paper copy or a certified translation — and this is where Nova Legal's legal translation service for contracts and official documents comes in.

Special Cases and Notes Before You Issue Your Power of Attorney

Duration: the Ministry of Justice's service page states explicitly that an electronic power of attorney's duration doesn't exceed one year, with no automatic renewal — a new power of attorney must be issued once it expires. This limit applies to the free "Issue a Power of Attorney" service through Najiz; longer durations require a different route, such as notarization with a certified notary.
Individuals aged 65 or older with no prior power of attorney: their first one must be issued through the virtual notary before it can be issued through Najiz directly.
An invalid ID: the platform allows issuing powers of attorney limited to claims and courts only, and the ID must be renewed to expand the scope.
Multiple parties: if the power of attorney requires separate signatures or notarization with a notary, the paper route is more suitable.

When Do You Need a Lawyer to Draft the Terms of a Power of Attorney?

In most cases, the issue isn't issuing the power of attorney itself — it's the scope of the authorization. Ready-made terms can be broader or narrower than what you actually need, and a banking power of attorney with no time or financial cap can leave you exposed in a dispute:

If the power of attorney is judicial and tied to a case or appeal, review our legal consultations section to assess whether you need a general or a narrowly defined power of attorney.
If you're authorizing an institution or an employee for financial matters, review the authority and caps carefully through an office legal consultation before adopting the template.
If you need supporting documents, such as a declaration or a sub-power of attorney, request preparation and legal translation of official documents.
For follow-up after issuance, review our legal consultation services to check the status of your power of attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the steps to notarize a power of attorney through Absher?

Log in to Najiz via Nafath, then "All Electronic Services," then the "Powers of Attorney and Declarations" bundle, then "Issue a Power of Attorney" and "Submit a New Request." Enter the principal's and agent's details, select the terms and duration, and click "Approve."

Can an electronic power of attorney be cancelled?

Yes. Either party can request cancellation electronically through Najiz, from "My Powers of Attorney" or the "Cancel a Power of Attorney" service, with the option of partial cancellation for specific terms. No visit to a notary is required.

What's the difference between a paper and an electronic power of attorney?

The electronic version is issued through Najiz with no in-person visit, printing, or stamping, and is stored centrally under "My Powers of Attorney," while the paper version requires a notary and needs to be printed and stamped. That said, outside the Kingdom you may need a paper copy or a certified translation.

Can I issue a power of attorney on behalf of my company?

Yes, provided you activate a "Najiz Business" account and link it to the company's Absher Business account. The authority granted depends on the entity's type and its statutory documents.

What are the core requirements, and how long is a power of attorney valid?

A valid national ID or residency permit, the principal being at least 18 years old, and a maximum duration of one year with no automatic renewal. Anyone over 65 who hasn't issued a power of attorney before needs their first one through the virtual notary.

The terms are what protect you — review them before you approve.

Many people issuing an electronic power of attorney authorize broader terms than they actually need. Book an office consultation to determine the right type and terms for your power of attorney.

info@novalegal.sa | +966 55 771 7410 | Al Sahaba Road, Al-Ishbiliyah district, Riyadh

📅 Book a Consultation to Define Your Power of Attorney's Terms

Conclusion: Your Electronic Power of Attorney, in Minutes

Electronic notarization of a power of attorney through Absher has become a familiar process with no visit and no paperwork: you log in to Najiz, define the terms and duration, approve, and get your confirmation text. Just as importantly, you can later cancel the power of attorney or terminate part of it.

But the decisive point remains that the scope of the authorization is what protects you or exposes you — not merely having a power of attorney. For anyone who wants the terms drafted correctly, the Nova Legal team in Riyadh offers an office legal consultation to assess your situation before issuance, along with legal translation of official documents when used outside the Kingdom. Address: Al Sahaba Road, Al-Ishbiliyah district, Riyadh — Al Hamra City Building 2/2, 2nd Floor, Office 202.

Notarizing a Power of Attorney Through Absher 2026: Types, Steps, and Cancellation | Nova Legal