Practical guide
How do you get a special power of attorney in Bahrain?
By Gaurav Agarwal · Updated 17 October 2026
A Bahrain special power of attorney is obtained through the Ministry of Justice notary route when you need representation before courts, police stations or the Public Prosecution. The official fee is BHD 6 and the published process time is 1 working day. Bring the original identification and the documents for your situation.
01Which power of attorney service matches your task?
Start with the act you want the representative to perform. Bahrain's special power of attorney service is specifically for authority to attend courts, police stations and the Public Prosecution. The customary-document service is for an individual who wants to notarize a submitted power of attorney or declaration.
The National Portal handles notarization, while the Public Prosecution provides a separate electronic submission service for lawyers or legal agents.
| Your situation | Official route | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Court, police or Public Prosecution representation | Special power of attorney | Notarizes authority for those bodies |
| A customary power of attorney or declaration | Notarized power of attorney or declaration | Notarizes a submitted customary document |
| Authority for disposal and management | General power of attorney for disposal and management | Grants powers of disposal and management |
| A lawyer must add the document to a Public Prosecution case | Request to Submit a Power of Attorney | Lets a lawyer or legal agent submit the document electronically |
| You want a private notary | Certified private notary route | The special service may be provided by a private notary |
02Prepare the documents for your situation
Every applicant starts with the original passport or Identity Card. The official page specifies the passport for foreign nationals. The principal must also complete the Know Your Customer form.
Use the checklist below before visiting the notary. Put the company and proxy documents in one checklist before the visit.
- Bring the original passport or Identity Card. Foreign nationals use the passport.
- Complete the Know Your Customer form as the principal.
- If a party is an entity, bring its memorandum of association.
- For an entity, include an extract of the Commercial Registration details.
- Add the decision of the board or partners, or the sole proprietorship Commercial Registration and registry status, as applicable.
- If someone is already acting by proxy, bring the original powers of attorney.
- For a foreign power of attorney, complete the official authentication route before the Bahrain notary visit.
03Extra documents when a company is involved
A company or other entity needs more than the signer's identification. The official special-service page lists the memorandum of association and an extract of the Commercial Registration details. It also calls for the board or partners decision. A sole proprietorship uses its Commercial Registration and registry status.
Match the entity documents to the party named in the proposed power of attorney. If the person presenting the request is also acting under another power of attorney, the official list calls for the original powers of attorney.
This branch is easy to miss on a phone because the individual and entity requirements appear in the same attachment list. Separate the entity papers from the principal's original identification and Know Your Customer form before the visit.
| Document | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Memorandum of association | When one party is an entity |
| Commercial Registration extract | When one party is an entity |
| Board or partners decision | When the entity is acting through that approval |
| Sole proprietorship CR and registry status | For a sole proprietorship |
| Original existing power of attorney | When representation is already by proxy |
04What to do with a foreign power of attorney
The official service page says a foreign power of attorney must be notarized by the Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs or carry an Apostille stamp.
Bring the original power of attorney when representation is by proxy. Keep it with the original passport or Identity Card and the completed Know Your Customer form.
The requirement is stated as two alternatives on the official page: Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs notarization or an Apostille stamp. Use the route that applies to the document you are presenting.
- Identify whether the power of attorney was issued outside Bahrain.
- Complete either Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs notarization or the Apostille route stated by the official service.
- Take the original authority document to the special power of attorney transaction.
- Carry the principal's original identification and completed Know Your Customer form.
05Complete the notarization and pay the fee
The Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf is the service provider. The National Portal lists the Notary Directorate head office or its branch inside the Ministry of Justice building as the physical route.
The published fee for the special power of attorney is BHD 6. The listed process time is 1 working day. These figures belong to the special service. The related customary-document service separately lists BHD 3 for each additional copy.
A certified private notary can also provide the special service, and the National Portal carries the certified list. Check the official page before travel so you use a current service location.
| Item | Official information |
|---|---|
| Special power of attorney fee | BHD 6 |
| Special power of attorney process time | 1 working day |
| Additional copy under the customary-document service | BHD 3 for each additional copy |
06If a lawyer must submit it to the Public Prosecution
The Public Prosecution submission service is for lawyers or legal agents placing a power of attorney on a client matter. The applicant must be a lawyer representing one of the parties to the case. That lawyer must hold a valid license registered with the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments.
The mandatory document for that electronic request is a copy of the power of attorney.
For Public Prosecution questions, the official page lists +973 17570000 and [email protected]. For Ministry of Justice customer service, the ministry lists [email protected].
- Confirm that the applicant is the lawyer representing a party to the case.
- Confirm that the lawyer's Ministry of Justice license is valid.
- Prepare a copy of the power of attorney for the electronic request.
- Open the Public Prosecution service and submit the document for the client matter.
07What the official pages don't say
The special-service page lists a physical-location route and a certified private-notary option. It does not publish document-drafting instructions or a model clause on that service page. Use the exact authority needed for your intended court, police or Public Prosecution task, and confirm the document wording with the receiving authority or a qualified professional before notarization.
The Public Prosecution page covers submission by a licensed lawyer and requires a copy of the power of attorney.
08FAQs
What is a special power of attorney used for in Bahrain?
The official service is for notarizing authority to attend courts, police stations and the Public Prosecution.
How much does a special power of attorney cost?
The National Portal lists a BHD 6 fee for the special power of attorney service.
How long does it take?
The published process time is 1 working day.
What identification should a foreign national bring?
The official attachment list says foreign nationals use the original passport.
Can a private notary provide the service?
Yes. The official page says a private notary can provide the service and links to the certified list on the National Portal.
What happens if the existing power of attorney was issued abroad?
It must be notarized by the Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs or carry an Apostille stamp.
Can anyone submit it to the Public Prosecution online?
No. The applicant must be a lawyer representing a party to the case and must hold a valid Ministry of Justice license.
What document does the Public Prosecution submission require?
A copy of the power of attorney is mandatory.
09Official sources
- Bahrain National Portal: Special power of attorney
- Bahrain National Portal: Notarized power of attorney or declaration
- Public Prosecution: Request to Submit a Power of Attorney
- Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf
- Bahrain National Portal: General power of attorney for disposal and management
Official details checked 17 October 2026.