A power of attorney for India can be signed in India before a notary or sub-registrar, or abroad before a notary and then apostilled or attested by the Indian mission in that country. Signing in Afghanistan is possible only where India's mission in Kabul is offering attestation. An Afghan citizen cannot use a power of attorney to buy or sell immovable property in India without RBI permission.
- Document route
- Case by case: Indian mission in Kabul where available, or Indian documents and third-country routes
- Time difference
- IST is 1 hour ahead of Afghanistan all year
- Recognition
- Section 33, Registration Act 1908
- Authentication
- Indian mission, or notary plus apostille
Power of Attorney from Afghanistan: how it works
We start by finding out where each family member is and what identity documents they hold, because that decides where the power can be signed. A relative in Germany signs before a German notary with an apostille; one in Delhi signs before an Indian notary or sub-registrar; one in Kabul may need to wait for an available route. We draft a specific power for the task, such as collecting rent, operating an account or defending a case.
In India, we arrange stamping and authentication, and guide the attorney holder through the work. If the principal is an Afghan citizen and the task involves selling or transferring immovable property, we first deal with the RBI permission so that the transaction is valid.
What clients in Afghanistan should know
- Use passport details consistently; Afghan names are transliterated in many ways.
- Attach a translation of any Dari or Pashto text.
- Revoke old powers given before the family moved.
Step by step from Afghanistan
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Afghanistan, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Afghanistan
Case by case: Indian mission in Kabul where available, or Indian documents and third-country routes
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Afghanistan where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Afghanistan. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Power of Attorney, or see all services for clients in Afghanistan and the Inheritance & Documents practice area.
Questions from clients in Afghanistan
Can I sign the power in Kabul?
Only if the Indian mission is attesting documents at the time. Otherwise we use another route.
My brother is in London. Can he sign there?
Yes, before a UK notary with an apostille, or at the Indian High Commission.
Can the attorney holder sell our house in Delhi?
Only if the principals are legally able to transfer it; Afghan citizens need RBI permission.