How to Get Power of Attorney in Nepal from Abroad (NRN POA Guide 2025)

Need to sell land, register a marriage, or handle a court case in Nepal but can't travel? This complete guide explains how NRNs can create a legally valid Power of Attorney from Australia, USA, UK, or any country.

Why NRNs Need Power of Attorney

Living abroad doesn’t freeze your legal responsibilities in Nepal. You may need to:

Sell or buy property (land, house, apartment)
Collect rent from tenants
File or defend court cases
Register a marriage or divorce
Claim inheritance from deceased parents
Open or manage bank accounts
Handle government paperwork (citizenship, passport renewal)

Since you can’t be physically present, you authorize someone else to act on your behalf. This is done through a Power of Attorney (Mujuri Nama).

Types of Power of Attorney

1. General Power of Attorney (GPA)

Grants broad powers to handle multiple types of transactions.

Use Case: You’re moving abroad permanently and want a family member to manage all your affairs.

Risk: Very powerful—can be misused. Only grant to completely trusted individuals.

2. Special Power of Attorney (SPA)

Grants specific powers for one transaction only.

Use Case: You want to sell one specific plot of land, and nothing else.

Advantage: Limited scope = lower risk of abuse. Expires after the task is done.

Step-by-Step: Creating a POA from Abroad

Step 1: Prepare the POA Document

Your lawyer in Nepal drafts the document in Nepali (required for land/court matters) or bilingually.

Contents:

Your full name, citizenship number, and current address abroad
The agent’s (POA holder’s) full name, citizenship number, address
Specific powers being granted
Duration (indefinite or time-limited)
Signature and date

Note: Be VERY specific about what powers you’re granting. Vague language can be exploited.

Step 2: Visit Nepal Embassy or Consulate

You cannot simply sign a POA at a local notary in your foreign country. It must be authenticated by a Nepali diplomatic mission.

Process:

Book an appointment at the Nepal Embassy/Consulate in your city.
Bring:
- Original POA document (from your Nepal lawyer)
- Your valid passport
- Nepal citizenship or NRN ID card (if applicable)
- Passport-sized photos
Sign the POA in front of the consular officer.
Pay the notarization fee (varies by embassy, usually $20-$50).
Receive the notarized POA with embassy seal.

Step 3: Additional Authentication (Sometimes Required)

For certain transactions (especially property), you may need:

Apostille (for countries in the Hague Convention)
MOFA Attestation (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal)

Your lawyer in Nepal will advise if this is necessary.

Step 4: Send the Original to Nepal

Courier the original notarized POA to your lawyer or the POA holder in Nepal.

Do NOT send photocopies for legal use. Only the original is valid.

Embassy Locations for POA Notarization

Country	Embassy/Consulate Location	Contact
Australia	Sydney (Embassy in Canberra)	au.nepalembassy.gov.np
USA	Washington D.C., New York (Consulate)	us.nepalembassy.gov.np
UK	London	uk.nepalembassy.gov.np
Qatar	Doha	qa.nepalembassy.gov.np
UAE	Abu Dhabi, Dubai (Consulate)	ae.nepalembassy.gov.np
Saudi Arabia	Riyadh	sa.nepalembassy.gov.np
Malaysia	Kuala Lumpur	my.nepalembassy.gov.np

Pro Tip: Some embassies require prior appointment. Check the website before visiting.

What Can a POA Holder Do?

Transaction	Can POA Be Used?
Sell land/property	✅ Yes
Buy land/property	✅ Yes
File court cases	✅ Yes
Attend court hearings	✅ Yes
Sign settlement agreements	✅ Yes
Register marriage	✅ Yes*
Register divorce	✅ Yes
Claim inheritance (Ansabanda)	✅ Yes
Open bank account	⚠️ Limited (some banks refuse)
Vote in elections	❌ No
Execute a will	❌ No (only testator can sign)

*Marriage POA is complex—some courts require both parties to appear.

Revoking a Power of Attorney

You can cancel a POA at any time. This is called revocation.

How to Revoke:

In Person: Visit the same Land Revenue Office (Malpot) or court where the POA is registered and file a revocation.
From Abroad: Grant a new POA specifically authorizing revocation of the old one. Your new agent registers the revocation at Malpot.
Notify the Agent: Send a formal written notice to the POA holder that their authority is revoked. Keep proof (email/courier receipt).

Why Revoke?

POA holder has finished the task
You no longer trust the person
You’re returning to Nepal permanently

Common POA Scams Targeting NRNs

1. Agent Sells Property to Themselves

An untrustworthy POA holder transfers your land to their own name.

Prevention: Use SPA (Special POA) with specific property details. Add a clause: “Cannot transfer to self or family members.”

2. Forged POA

Fraudsters create fake POA documents to sell your land without your knowledge.

Prevention: Register your land at Malpot with your photo and biometrics. Require “Owner Verification” for any transfer.

3. Overreaching POA

Agent uses a General POA to do things you never intended (e.g., take loans against your property).

Prevention: Always use Special POA for limited tasks.

Cost of POA Notarization

Location	Approximate Fee
Nepal Embassy (anywhere)	$20-$50 USD
MOFA Nepal (re-attestation)	NPR 500-1000
Lawyer drafting (Nepal)	NPR 5,000-15,000

Checklist for NRN POA

✅ Identify the specific task(s) you need done in Nepal

✅ Choose a trusted agent (family member or lawyer)

✅ Have your Nepal lawyer draft the POA document

✅ Gather your documents (passport, citizenship, photos)

✅ Book an appointment at the nearest Nepal Embassy

✅ Sign the POA before a consular officer

✅ Get proper authentication if required

✅ Courier the original to Nepal

✅ Keep a scanned copy for your records

✅ Revoke the POA immediately after the task is complete

Special Case: NRN ID Card Holders

If you’re a foreign citizen of Nepali origin with an NRN ID card, you can still execute a POA.

Process:

Use your foreign passport + NRN ID for verification
The POA will reference your NRN ID number
Certain property transactions have restrictions for NRNs (e.g., agricultural land)

Conclusion

A Power of Attorney is your legal arm in Nepal when you’re thousands of miles away. It can unlock property sales, resolve disputes, and handle family matters—all without you stepping on a plane.

But a POA is also a weapon that can be turned against you if given to the wrong person. Choose your agent carefully, keep the scope narrow (use SPA), and revoke immediately when the job is done.

Disclaimer: POA requirements vary by district and transaction type. For a tailored POA draft and guidance, consult our NRN legal services team.