Notarizing a Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney lets someone you trust act for you in Nigeria while you are elsewhere. We review the wording, verify identity, witness execution and issue a notarial certificate that banks, land registries, courts and foreign authorities will accept.
What a notarised Power of Attorney does
A Power of Attorney is a formal document in which you, the donor, authorise another person, the attorney or donee, to do specified things on your behalf. It does not transfer ownership of anything. It transfers authority to act, and only the authority you actually write into it.
Notarisation is what makes that authority credible to a third party. The bank, land registry, court registrar or company secretary being asked to rely on the document has no way of knowing that you signed it, that you are who you say you are, or that you understood it. A notary public verifies those things at the point of signing and certifies them, which is why institutions ask for a notarised copy rather than one you simply signed at home.
If you are living outside Nigeria and need someone here to sell land, perfect a title, represent you in a matter, or deal with a bank or the Corporate Affairs Commission, this is almost always the document you will be asked for.
When a notarised Power of Attorney is needed
These are the requests we see most often from Nigerians abroad and from families managing affairs across borders.
Not sure how wide the powers should be? Send us the reason you need it. We will tell you whether a special Power of Attorney limited to one transaction is safer than a general one, and draft the wording accordingly.
- Selling or leasing land or property in Nigeria while you are abroad
- Perfecting title including governor consent, stamping and registration
- Representing you in court or before a tribunal or arbitration panel
- Operating or closing a bank account and dealing with account mandates
- Company matters such as CAC filings, share transfers and signing resolutions
- Collecting documents such as certificates, transcripts or pension papers
- Probate and estate administration after the death of a relative
- Managing tenants collecting rent and dealing with agents
- Vehicle transactions and registration on your behalf
General, special, or irrevocable
The type you choose changes how much power you hand over and how easily you can take it back. This is the decision worth getting right before anything is signed.
Special Power of Attorney
Limited to one clearly defined transaction or task, for example selling one specific property or appearing in one named case. Narrow by design, which makes it the safer default for most people.
General Power of Attorney
Broad authority to deal with your affairs generally. Convenient where your attorney needs flexibility over time, but it hands over significant control, so it should only be given to someone you trust completely.
Irrevocable Power of Attorney
Usually given for value, commonly in property transactions, and cannot simply be withdrawn. Because it is difficult to reverse, the wording and the consideration recited in it need close attention.
What to bring to your appointment
The donor, that is you
- The Power of Attorney document itself, unsigned. Do not sign it before you arrive.
- Valid government photo ID: international passport, national identity card, driver licence or permanent voter card.
- Your full contact address and occupation as they should appear in the document.
- Two recent passport photographs, which some registries require.
About your attorney and the subject matter
- Full legal name, address and occupation of the person you are appointing.
- A copy of their valid photo ID, so their identity is recorded correctly.
- For land or property: the title document, deed, certificate of occupancy or survey plan, plus the correct property description.
- For company matters: the CAC certificate and details of your shareholding or office.
- For court matters: the case number, court and parties.
- For bank matters: the account name, number and branch.
No draft yet? That is normal. Tell us what you need your attorney to be able to do and we will prepare a draft for your approval before the appointment.
How we notarise a Power of Attorney
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Review the wording
Send us the draft, or tell us what the attorney needs to do. We check that the powers granted actually cover the transaction and that nothing essential is missing.
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Confirm scope and fee
We confirm whether a special or general Power of Attorney is appropriate, whether stamping or registration will be needed, and quote a single fee.
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Execute before the notary
You attend with the original document and your ID. We verify your identity, satisfy ourselves that you understand the document, then witness your signature.
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Certificate, seal and onward steps
We attach the notarial certificate and seal, give you a scanned copy, and where required arrange Ministry and embassy legalisation, stamping or registration, as required.
After notarisation
Notarisation is rarely the last step for a Power of Attorney, and which further steps apply depends on where it was signed and where it will be used.
Signed in Nigeria, used in Nigeria
The document may need to be stamped at the Federal Inland Revenue Service and, for land transactions, registered at the relevant State Lands Registry before a registry or bank will act on it. We will tell you which applies to your transaction.
Signed in Nigeria, used abroad
Expect Ministry of Foreign Affairs legalisation, and in many cases legalisation at the embassy or high commission of the destination country. We handle both.
Signed abroad, used in Nigeria
If you are already overseas, the document is usually notarised there, then apostilled or legalised in that country, and finally legalised at the Nigerian mission. We can advise on the correct order and receive the document here.
Turnaround at a glance
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Draft review | Same day in most cases |
| Notarisation appointment | 15 to 30 minutes |
| Stamping | A few working days |
| Ministry legalisation | Several working days |
| Embassy legalisation | Varies by mission |
| Lands Registry registration | Depends on the state |
Working to a deadline? Tell us the date at your first enquiry. We will say honestly whether it is achievable and, if it is tight, which steps can run in parallel.
Mistakes that cause a Power of Attorney to be rejected
- Signing before the appointment. A notary certifies that you signed in front of them. If the signature is already on the page, the document usually has to be re-executed.
- Powers too narrow for the job. A Power of Attorney authorising a sale but silent on applying for governor consent can stall a property transaction completely.
- Powers far wider than needed. A general Power of Attorney given for a single transaction leaves you exposed long after the matter is finished.
- The attorney not properly identified. Initials, nicknames or an incomplete address make it difficult for a registry or bank to be satisfied the right person is acting.
- Skipping stamping or registration. Many Nigerian land registries will not act on an unstamped or unregistered Power of Attorney, whether or not it is notarised.
- Ignoring the destination requirements. If the document is going abroad and you stop at notarisation, it will often be returned because legalisation is still required.
- Expired or mismatched identification. The name on your ID should match the name in the document. If you have changed your name, bring the change of name documentation as well.
Power of Attorney FAQs
Does my attorney need to attend the appointment with me?
No. The Power of Attorney is executed by you as donor, so only you need to attend. We do need your attorney full legal name, address, occupation and a copy of their photo ID so they are identified correctly in the document.
Can I sign a Power of Attorney while I am outside Nigeria?
Yes, but not before us. You would have it notarised by a notary in the country where you are, then apostilled or legalised there, and in most cases legalised at the Nigerian embassy or high commission before it is used here. We can tell you the correct sequence for the country you are in and act on the document once it arrives in Nigeria.
Does a Power of Attorney need to be registered?
It depends on what it is for. For land and property transactions, registration at the State Lands Registry is normally expected, and stamping is usually required before registration. For banking, court representation and company matters, notarisation is often sufficient. We confirm this for your specific transaction before you attend.
How long does a Power of Attorney last?
A Power of Attorney continues until it is revoked, until the purpose is completed, until any expiry date written into it, or until the death or legal incapacity of the donor. An irrevocable Power of Attorney given for value is a different case and cannot simply be withdrawn, which is why the type matters.
Can I revoke a Power of Attorney later?
Generally yes, unless it is irrevocable. Revocation should be in writing, notarised, served on your attorney, and notified to anyone who has been relying on it such as a bank or registry. Where the original was registered, the revocation should be registered too. We prepare and notarise deeds of revocation.
Can one Power of Attorney appoint more than one person?
Yes. You can appoint two or more attorneys and specify whether they must act together or may act independently. Saying nothing about this is a common source of dispute, so we always make it explicit in the wording.
Do you draft the document, or do I need a lawyer first?
We can prepare the draft for you. Tell us what your attorney needs to be able to do and the details of the transaction, and we will produce a draft for your approval before the appointment. If your solicitor has already drafted it, we will review it against the purpose and flag anything that looks likely to cause a problem.
Other documents we notarise
Notarizing a Will or Deed
Wills, deeds of assignment and property agreements executed with the correct witnessing formalities.
Notarizing a Passport Biodata Page
Certified copies of your passport data page, often required alongside a Power of Attorney.
Notarizing an Affidavit of Name Change
Needed where the name on your ID differs from the name on your title or account records.
Ready to notarise your Power of Attorney?
Send us the draft, or just tell us what you need your attorney to be able to do. We will confirm the wording, the steps, the fee and the timeline.
Get in touch
Send us a scan and where it needs to go. We will confirm the correct certification, the fee and the turnaround, usually the same day.