In short:
- A power of attorney (wakala) issued in Saudi Arabia is in Arabic; to use it abroad you will usually need a certified translation.
- The key details to check are names, ID numbers, the scope of authority and the validity period.
- The foreign authority may also ask for legalisation or an apostille, and it decides what it needs.
- Translation is not legal advice. If you are unsure how the wakala should be worded, consult a professional before it is issued.
Picture this: you live in Riyadh, you own property back home, and you want your brother to sell it on your behalf. Or you are a Saudi citizen with a bank account abroad and want a relative to handle a transaction for you. Either way, the power of attorney will be issued in the Kingdom, in Arabic, and the bank or notary abroad will not be able to read it. That is where a certified power of attorney translation into English, or the destination country’s language, comes in. This guide covers what to know before you order and what we check most carefully in this kind of document.
Types of power of attorney, briefly
In Saudi Arabia people often say “wakala shar’iya” to mean a formally notarised power of attorney. Many are now issued electronically through Najiz, the Ministry of Justice platform. By scope, they generally fall into two groups.
General power of attorney
This gives the agent broad powers across several areas, such as dealing with government bodies, managing funds or handling bank matters. The list of powers is long and varied, so the translation needs great precision.
Specific power of attorney
This is limited to a defined act, such as selling a particular property, receiving a specific sum or representing the principal in a particular case. Here the description of the act and the property or case details are the heart of the translation.
A translation office does not decide which type you need; that is a legal question between you and the party you will deal with. Our job is to render what the document says accurately and completely.
Why does a wakala need translating?
Banks, notaries, land registries and courts abroad need to understand who the principal is, who the agent is, what the agent may do and for how long. If that is unclear, they may refuse to deal with the agent. That is why most of them ask for a certified translation, and possibly legalisation or an apostille as well.
Details we check carefully
Full names
We write the principal’s and agent’s names in English exactly as they appear in their passports, so please send the passport data pages if you can. A spelling mismatch between the wakala and the passport is a common reason for files stalling abroad.
ID and passport numbers
National ID, iqama and passport numbers are carried over exactly and checked digit by digit. One wrong digit can make the document unusable.
Scope of authority
This is the most important part. Arabic legal terms carry precise meanings, for example terms for selling and transferring title, receiving funds, acknowledging and settling. We choose English equivalents that reflect the meaning without widening or narrowing the authority, and we never add or drop a power, even if a phrase looks repetitive.
Date and validity
We carry over the issue date and validity period as written, state the calendar used where a date is Hijri, and add the Gregorian equivalent in brackets when helpful to avoid confusion.
Reference number and verification details
Electronic powers of attorney usually carry a number and a verification code. We translate these too, because the foreign authority may want to check the document.
Common mistakes with a wakala for use abroad
- Sending only the first page: an electronic wakala can run to several pages, and an incomplete translation may be refused.
- Inconsistent name spelling: especially when the principal has earlier translations with a different spelling. Send them and we will keep the spelling consistent.
- Ignoring the expiry date: some foreign bodies refuse a power of attorney that is close to expiring.
- Translating before knowing the legalisation route: you may need a new translation if the stamps must be translated too.
- Using an uncertified translation: machine or personal translations carry no stamp or signature and are rarely accepted.
After translation: what might the foreign authority want?
Some authorities accept the certified translation on its own. Others want an apostille if their country is a Hague Convention member, or traditional legalisation through MOFA and the destination embassy if it is not. Our guide to apostille in Saudi Arabia explains the difference. Either way, ask the receiving authority about the order first, because translating before or after legalisation changes what the translation must cover.
Translation is not legal advice
We are a translation office, not a law firm. We translate the wakala as issued and cannot advise on its type or wording. If you are unsure what the foreign party needs, ask it or a lawyer in that country before the wakala is issued, because changing it afterwards means repeating every step.
How to order
- Send a photo of the full wakala on WhatsApp to +966569442222, with the parties’ passport pages if possible.
- Tell us the country, the receiving authority and the target language.
- We send a quote and delivery time before you confirm.
- A legal translator translates it, a second translator checks it, and we stamp and sign it.
- You receive a stamped e-copy on WhatsApp plus a printed copy.
If your trip or appointment is close, ask for urgent certified translation, which carries an extra fee shown in your quote. For other legal documents we handle, see legal translation. We can also sign a non-disclosure agreement on request, since powers of attorney contain sensitive personal and financial data.
FAQ
Do you translate electronic powers of attorney from Najiz?
Yes. We translate the full document, including its number and any verification details shown.
Can you translate into languages other than English?
Yes. We work with almost any language, including French, Urdu and African languages. Just tell us which one you need.
Will the foreign authority accept your translation?
Our translations are certified, stamped, signed and checked by a second translator, but acceptance is always decided by the receiving authority. Some require their own sworn translators.
Can you change the wording of my wakala?
No. We translate it as issued. Any change in wording requires a new power of attorney through official channels.
Can I order from outside Riyadh?
Yes. Order on WhatsApp from any city, receive the stamped e-copy, and we will agree with you on collecting the printed copy.
Note: This article is general information, not legal advice. Requirements differ between countries and change over time, and the receiving authority decides whether it accepts a translation and in what form.
Written by the Almadani Translation Team · Information last reviewed: October 2026