A plain guide from the DUNES Power of Attorney team. Last reviewed 4 November 2026.
A special power of attorney for use in the Philippines is normally signed in front of a consular officer at the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai or the Embassy in Abu Dhabi. You name your attorney-in-fact and list each act they may perform. The bank or registry in the Philippines that receives it may have its own requirements, so check them first.
What does a special power of attorney do?
A special power of attorney, often called an SPA, authorises your representative, called the attorney-in-fact, to do specific acts for you in the Philippines. Philippine consulate guidance explains that a general power covers acts of administration, while the sale, mortgage or other encumbrance of property needs a special power.
How do you get a special power of attorney at the Philippine Consulate in Dubai?
- List the acts. Write each act your attorney-in-fact may perform, such as selling a named property, withdrawing from a named bank account or processing a document. The more exact the list, the fewer questions the receiving office will ask.
- Draft the SPA. Include full names, civil status, addresses and passport details for both people, the acts, and how long the SPA lasts. The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai publishes forms on its website, and the receiving office may prefer its own wording.
- Check the consulate’s current requirements. Ask the consulate for its checklist and appointment rules. Expect to bring your valid passport and details of your attorney-in-fact. Leave the document unsigned until the consular officer asks you to sign.
- Appear in person. You sign in front of the consular officer. The consulate’s published schedule lists four working days for special powers of attorney and attestation of documents, so plan for that and check its website for the current schedule.
- Send the original to the Philippines. Courier the signed original to your attorney-in-fact and keep a copy. Ask the receiving bank or Registry of Deeds whether it needs anything more.
Consulate or UAE notary: which route should you use?
Consulates perform notarial functions for their citizens abroad, which is why many people sign the SPA there. If you notarise in the UAE instead, the document may need further attestation steps before Philippine offices accept it. Ask the receiving office which route it prefers before you choose. See Does a Foreign Power of Attorney Need MOFA Attestation in the UAE? for how UAE attestation works.
Should you get help with the SPA?
We can prepare the SPA wording, check that every name and passport detail matches, and prepare any Arabic or English version needed for UAE use. You still sign in person at the consulate. See our Special Power of Attorney and Power of Attorney attestation services.
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This guide is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change, so check with the office that will receive your document.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to sign at the Philippine Consulate in person?
Yes. You sign in front of the consular officer, so plan the visit and check the consulate’s current appointment rules.
How long does a special power of attorney take at the consulate?
The consulate’s published schedule lists four working days for special powers of attorney and attestation of documents. Check the website for the current schedule.
Can I sign the SPA before a UAE notary instead?
You can, but Philippine offices may then ask for further attestation steps. Ask the receiving bank or Registry of Deeds which route it prefers.
Is a general power of attorney enough to sell property in the Philippines?
Philippine consulate guidance says the sale or mortgage of property needs a special power, so a general power is usually not enough.
What happens after I sign?
Courier the signed original to your attorney-in-fact and keep a copy. The receiving office may ask for more, so check with it.
Need a power of attorney arranged in Dubai?
Tell us what the POA is for and where you are signing. We will confirm the type, the documents, the timeline and the cost.
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