Power of Attorney for Bahrain

Acting in Bahrain Through a Representative

Bahrain has accepted apostilles since December 31, 2013, which makes a U.S. power of attorney one of the simpler documents to prepare for the Kingdom. The challenge is not the authentication but the scope: Bahraini ministries, the land registry, banks and courts read a power of attorney closely and accept only acts that it clearly authorizes. A well-drafted document signed in the U.S. lets a lawyer, relative or business partner in Manama act for you without your travelling.

Business uses

Companies use powers of attorney to appoint a local representative to file on Sijilat, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce’s online commercial registration system: to register a branch or a new company, amend commercial registration details, or renew the registration each year. Others authorize a representative to open corporate bank accounts, deal with the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) on work permits, sign leases, or handle customs matters. When a company grants the power, the officer signing it should be authorized by a board resolution, which Bahraini offices may also want to see.

Personal and property uses

Individuals sign powers of attorney so that someone in Bahrain can buy, sell or register property with the Survey and Land Registration Bureau, manage a rental, deal with an inheritance, handle a vehicle registration, or represent them in court through a Bahraini lawyer. For property and court matters, Bahraini authorities generally expect a specific power naming the property or the case, rather than a broad general authority.

Signing and the apostille

You sign the power of attorney in person before a U.S. notary, with valid photo ID. The Secretary of State of the notary’s state then issues the apostille. No U.S. Department of State or Bahrain Embassy step is involved. If you are a Bahraini national abroad, the Bahrain Embassy in Washington may also offer consular notarization, so ask your Bahraini lawyer which form they prefer.

Language and drafting

Bahraini offices work in Arabic. An English power of attorney is usually translated into Arabic by a certified translator in Bahrain. A bilingual English/Arabic document, signed in that form before the notary, avoids translation disputes and is often preferred by the Ministry of Justice and the land registry. Include the attorney-in-fact’s full name as on their CPR card or passport, a precise list of powers, and an expiry date if you want the authority to end.

Revoking a power

If you later revoke the power of attorney, the revocation should also be notarized and apostilled, and copies should be given to the offices that relied on the original.