A Power of Attorney (POA) is one of the most legally powerful documents a person can sign. It grants another individual — your appointed attorney-in-fact — the authority to act on your behalf in financial, legal, or property matters. In Nepal, a notarized POA is not just recommended — it is a legal requirement for most transactions. This guide explains why notarization matters, which situations require a notarized POA, and exactly how the process works at Hamro Notary in Kathmandu.
What Is a Power of Attorney Under Nepali Law?
Under the National Civil Code 2074 (2017) and related property laws, a Power of Attorney is a legal instrument that allows one person (the principal) to authorize another person (the agent or attorney-in-fact) to perform specific acts on their behalf. These acts can include selling or purchasing property, managing bank accounts, signing contracts, conducting court proceedings, or managing a business.
In Nepal, two types of POA are commonly used:
- General Power of Attorney (GPA) — grants broad authority across multiple matters (financial, legal, and property)
- Special Power of Attorney (SPA) — grants limited authority for a specific transaction or purpose (e.g., selling a specific piece of land or opening a specific bank account)
Why Must a POA Be Notarized?
The notary seal serves three functions that no other stamp can replace:
- Authentication of identity — the notary verifies the identity of the person granting the POA using government-issued ID, confirming that the person signing is genuinely who they claim to be
- Witnessed execution — the notary witnesses the signature being placed, creating a tamper-evident record that the document was signed voluntarily and without coercion
- Legal standing — only a notarized POA is accepted by the Land Revenue Office (Malpot), banks, the Company Registrar, and courts in Nepal
Without notarization, a POA is effectively unenforceable. Land Revenue Offices across Nepal will not register any property transaction based on an un-notarized POA, regardless of how the document is worded. This requirement is grounded in the Notary Public Act 2063 administered by Nepal’s Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.
When Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) Need a Notarized POA
One of the most common use cases for a notarized POA at Hamro Notary involves Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) who own property in Nepal but live abroad. If you are in Australia, the USA, Canada, the UK, or the Gulf states, you cannot personally appear at the Land Revenue Office to sell property, transfer title, or conduct other transactions. A notarized POA allows you to appoint a trusted family member or representative in Nepal to act on your behalf.
For NRN-specific POA, the process involves an additional step: the POA executed and notarized in Nepal (or at a Nepali embassy abroad) must usually be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) for international use. If you are executing the POA from outside Nepal, it must be notarized in your country of residence and then authenticated by the Nepali embassy there, followed by MoFA attestation upon arrival in Nepal.
Even a close family member has no legal authority to conduct property transactions, sign contracts, or access bank accounts on someone else’s behalf without a valid notarized POA — regardless of their relationship to the principal.
Situations Requiring a Notarized Power of Attorney in Nepal
- Land and property sales — the Land Revenue Office (Malpot Karyalay) will not process a sale deed without a notarized SPA from the property owner
- Bank account management — Nepali banks require a notarized POA to allow a third party to operate another person’s account
- Company representation — the Office of the Company Registrar requires a notarized POA for certain filings and shareholder actions
- Court representation — a notarized POA is required for a representative to appear in court on behalf of a principal
- Passport and visa applications on behalf of a minor
- Overseas employment contracts — some Gulf country employers require a notarized POA from an employee’s family member for certain administrative processes
- Pension and retirement fund access — government institutions require notarized authorization for a third party to collect payments
What to Include in a Power of Attorney
A properly drafted POA for Nepal should contain:
- Full legal names, addresses, and citizenship numbers of both the principal and the agent
- A precise description of the powers being granted (for SPA: specific property, specific bank account, specific legal matter)
- Geographic and time limitations if applicable
- Clear language on whether the POA survives the principal becoming incapacitated (relevant for financial POAs)
- Revocation terms
At Hamro Notary, we assist clients in drafting POA documents correctly so that they are accepted on the first submission by the Land Revenue Office or other authorities. An imprecise or ambiguous POA is a common cause of rejection — particularly for property transactions where the SPA must match the exact plot number (khasra number) recorded in the Land Revenue Office records.
The Notarization Process for POA at Hamro Notary
Consultation
Contact us by phone (+977 984-134-6966) or visit our office in Chabahil to discuss the scope of authority you need to grant. We will advise on whether a General or Special POA is appropriate and what specific language the receiving institution requires.
Document Drafting
If you do not already have a drafted POA, our office can draft it for you. This ensures the document uses the correct legal terminology required by Nepali courts and government offices. Drafting typically takes 30 to 60 minutes for a standard SPA.
Identity Verification
Both the principal (the person granting the POA) and the document are presented to the notary. You must bring your original citizenship card, passport, or driving licence. For property transactions, bringing the land ownership certificate (lalpurja) allows us to verify the plot details match the POA text.
Signing in the Presence of the Notary
You must sign the POA document in front of the notary. This is a non-negotiable legal requirement — a pre-signed POA cannot be notarized. The notary witnesses the signature and may ask you to confirm verbally that you understand the powers you are granting.
Notary Seal Applied
The notary stamps and signs the POA, making it legally valid. If MoFA attestation is also required (common for NRN property transactions), we can guide you through that next step, which involves submitting the notarized POA to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a government attestation seal.
Need a POA Notarized in Kathmandu?
Same-day service available. Walk-ins welcome Sunday–Friday, 9 AM–6 PM at Naramaya Bhawan, Chabahil.
Contact Us →POA Notarization Fees at Hamro Notary
| Service | Fee (NPR) | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Special Power of Attorney — notarization only | NPR 1,000 – 1,500 | Same day |
| General Power of Attorney — notarization only | NPR 1,500 – 2,000 | Same day |
| POA drafting assistance | NPR 500 – 1,000 | 30–60 min |
| MoFA attestation (after notarization) | NPR 500 + MoFA government fee | 1–3 business days |
| Certified translation of POA (Nepali to English) | NPR 1,000 – 1,500 per page | 1–2 business days |
How to Revoke a Power of Attorney
A POA can be revoked at any time by the principal while they are mentally competent. Revocation should be done in writing, notarized, and formally communicated to the agent and any institution that was relying on the POA. If a property transaction is in progress, the Land Revenue Office must also be notified. Hamro Notary can assist with drafting and notarizing a Revocation of Power of Attorney document.
Frequently Asked Questions About POA Notarization
Can I grant Power of Attorney to someone overseas?
Yes, but the process works in reverse: the person overseas executes the POA in front of a notary (or Nepali consulate) in their country, which is then authenticated by the Nepali embassy there and attested by MoFA in Kathmandu upon arrival. Hamro Notary can advise on exactly what is needed for your specific country.
How long is a notarized POA valid in Nepal?
There is no fixed expiry unless one is written into the document. However, government offices may question very old POA documents. For property transactions, we recommend using a POA executed within the last six to twelve months. Always check with the receiving institution.
Can a family member act without a POA if I am abroad?
No. Under Nepali property law, even a close family member has no legal authority to conduct a land transaction, sign contracts, or access bank accounts on behalf of someone else without a valid notarized POA. This is one of the most common and costly misunderstandings among NRNs.
Do I need a lawyer to create a Power of Attorney in Nepal?
Not necessarily. For straightforward Special POAs, Hamro Notary can draft the document for you at our office. For complex multi-party or international arrangements, consulting a lawyer alongside the notarization process is advisable. We can refer you to trusted legal counsel if needed.
For POA notarization or any document authentication service in Kathmandu, contact Hamro Notary or visit our office in Chabahil. We are open Sunday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. See all our services here.
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