Justice Minister Nasser Al-Sumait said on 21 September that the new regulation takes effect immediately and rests on two changes: licensing private notaries, and capping a power of attorney at five years, except those granted to lawyers and those prepared for use outside Kuwait.
The Minister of Justice has issued ministerial decision 590 of 2026, the executive regulation of notarisation law 10 of 2020 as amended by decree-law 147 of 2025. It was published in the official gazette, replaces the 2021 regulation, and applies from the date of issue.
How long a power of attorney lasts
Five years from the date it is notarised, unless a shorter term is agreed or it ends earlier for another reason.
Ten years in two cases only: a power granted to a lawyer on the practising roll for litigation work, and a power prepared solely for use outside Kuwait.
In every case the document must state its own expiry date.
What you pay at the department
General and special powers of attorney: 10 dinars. Certifying a private document: 10. Fixing a date: 10. The writ of execution: 15. A certified copy: 10 for the first page and 2 for each page after.
Incorporating a company: 50 for the first page, 2 thereafter; amending a company contract: 5 for the first page, 2 thereafter. Contracts and acknowledgements: 10 for the first page, 2 thereafter.
The same fee applies if the transaction is completed electronically.
When the notary comes to you
Work is normally done at the department. The notary travels only where the person cannot attend for health reasons backed by a medical report the department accepts, has reached 65, is held in a prison or detention centre, is in a social circumstance the department recognises including a widow’s waiting period, or has requested the special visit service.
A visit on grounds of excuse costs 10 dinars on top of the service fee. The special visit service, outside those grounds, costs 50 dinars on top.
The private notary
The regulation licenses private notaries for two years, renewable, with renewal filed at least thirty days before expiry and professional indemnity cover of at least 100,000 dinars a year.
Their fees: 100 dinars for company contracts, 50 for individuals, 25 for a power of attorney covering up to five people in one transaction, 20 for certifying a private document, 20 for fixing a date and 50 for travelling outside the office. Departmental fees are deducted from these and remitted.
A private notary may not handle anything touching property ownership or rights in rem over property.
Remote powers of attorney
The regulation allows special powers of attorney to be completed by video call with a notary or through an automated electronic system. Identity is checked through the Hawyti app, an electronic-signature certificate, or by matching a civil ID or passport on camera. Three groups must still appear in person or be visited: people with an intellectual disability, anyone aged 75 or over, and anyone assigned a judicial assistant for the acts concerned.
An older rule that survives
A power of attorney written in general terms, with no type of act specified, gives the agent powers of administration only. An agent may not contract with himself on the principal’s behalf unless the instrument says so expressly.
Photo: A Ministry of Justice card designed by Kuwait One over a blurred judge’s gavel and law books. Photograph by succo, public domain (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons.
Source: Ministerial decision 590 of 2026 and its annexed regulation, published in the official gazette, 20 September 2026; Justice Minister’s remarks to Al-Anba, 22 September 2026.
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