Legal document authorising someone to act on your behalf
Visit Official Portal →💡 A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that authorises one person (the attorney/agent) to act on behalf of another (the donor/principal) in specified or all matters. In India, POAs are governed by the Powers of Attorney Act, 1882 and the Registration Act, 1908. A General POA grants broad authority for financial and legal matters and needs only notarisation. A Special POA used for property transactions must be registered with the Sub-Registrar. The POA automatically becomes invalid upon the death of the donor.
Registration: 1 day; Stamp duty: varies by state and property value
Stamp duty: 1% - 5% of the transaction value depending on the state and type of POA
Any Indian citizen above 18 years of sound mind can execute a POA. The attorney (agent) must also be above 18 and of sound mind.
Individuals who cannot be physically present for property transactions, bank operations, or legal proceedings, and want to delegate authority to a trusted person.
Decide whether you need a General POA (all matters), Special POA (specific acts), or Limited/Irrevocable POA depending on the scope of powers to be delegated.
Buy non-judicial stamp paper of the value prescribed by your state government (ranges from ₹100 to ₹5,000+ based on the nature of the transaction).
Clearly mention the principal's name, attorney's name, powers granted, duration, and any restrictions. Vague language can invalidate the POA.
Sign the POA in the presence of a notary public (for general POA) or at the Sub-Registrar's office (for special/irrevocable POA requiring registration).
For immovable property transactions, registration is mandatory under Section 17 of the Registration Act, 1908. Register at the local Sub-Registrar office.
Hand over the original or certified copy to the attorney so they can exercise the powers granted on your behalf.
To revoke or modify a POA, execute a revocation deed and serve notice to the attorney. For a registered POA, file the revocation at the same Sub-Registrar office where the original was registered.
Draft a revocation deed on stamp paper stating the POA reference number, date, and your intention to revoke it.
Sign the revocation deed before a notary public.
If the POA was registered, file the revocation at the same Sub-Registrar office.
Send written intimation of the revocation to the attorney, banks, government offices, and any other institutions where the POA was being used.
Request the return of the original POA document from the attorney if possible.
Standard POA format templates are available at government legal services portals, court service centres, and legal aid websites. For property-related POAs, consult a lawyer to ensure the document is correctly drafted.
Obtain a standard POA format from the National Judicial Reference System, government legal aid portal, or legal websites.
Enter the principal's and attorney's details, the nature and scope of powers, duration, and any restrictions.
Have a lawyer review the draft to ensure it accurately reflects the intended scope and is legally enforceable.
Print or write the final version on appropriate stamp paper and sign before witnesses.
To verify if a registered POA is still active or has been revoked, you can check the Sub-Registrar's records or file a formal query with the registration office where it was registered.
Go to the registration office where the POA was registered.
Submit Form 16 (for index search) or a written application to search the records.
Request a certified copy of the POA or the revocation deed if any has been filed.
A General POA grants broad powers to handle all or multiple categories of your affairs. A Special POA is limited to specific acts such as selling a particular property or signing a specific document.
For General POA (financial/banking matters), notarisation is sufficient. For Special POA involving immovable property transactions, registration is mandatory under the Registration Act.
Yes. The principal can revoke a General or Special POA at any time by executing a revocation deed and intimating the attorney and relevant third parties in writing. An Irrevocable POA requires court intervention to revoke.
The donee (also called attorney-in-fact or agent) is the person who receives the authority to act on behalf of the donor/principal.
No. A POA automatically terminates upon the death of the principal. After death, the legal heirs must obtain a succession certificate or legal heir certificate to deal with the estate.
Visit the official government portal to start your application
Go to Official Portal →