Quick Answer
A general Power of Attorney is no longer accepted by the Iranian Affairs office for most transactions. Iranian authorities now require task-specific POAs that name the exact property deed number, bank account number, or government case — not blanket authority. Beyond compliance, a general POA is dangerous because it gives the holder sweeping authority that is difficult to revoke if misused.
The Instinct to Sign a General POA — and Why It Backfires
When Iranians living abroad need someone to handle a matter for them in Iran — selling a property, managing a rental, dealing with a bank account, or following up at a government office — the instinct is often to sign one broad, general Power of Attorney and hand it over. That instinct is understandable, but it is also risky, and increasingly, it is not even accepted by Iranian authorities.
The Problem with General Powers of Attorney
A general Power of Attorney gives the holder sweeping authority to act on your behalf across nearly anything. That is exactly what makes it dangerous: it opens the door to fraud and misuse, sometimes by the very person you trusted to help you. Once broad authority is granted, it can be very difficult to undo damage done with it — especially from thousands of miles away.
Why Iranian Authorities Now Require Specificity
Beyond the risk of fraud, the Iranian Affairs office now requires that a Power of Attorney be drafted for very specific tasks — not blanket authority. Examples of what is required:
- Selling or managing a rental property: The POA must include the specific title deed number and address of the property. It cannot cover "all your properties" — each one requires its own POA naming that exact property.
- Managing a bank account: The POA must include the exact bank account number and clearly state what the person is authorized to do with it.
- Handling a matter at a government office: The POA must name the specific office, the specific task, and the specific case being followed up on — not general authority to "handle government matters."
What a Task-Specific POA Must Include
If you are planning to grant someone Power of Attorney for a matter in Iran, come prepared with these specifics before drafting the document:
- For real estate: the exact property address and title deed number (سند مالکیت)
- For banking: the exact account number and a clear list of authorized actions (withdraw, transfer, close, etc.)
- For government matters: the name of the specific office, the nature of the task, and the relevant case or reference number
How Iranian Citizen Services Can Help
Iranian Citizen Services helps clients prepare the correct, task-specific Power of Attorney documents required for property, banking, and government matters in Iran. We also have a legal office in Tehran that can help ensure your POA is drafted correctly and used appropriately once it is in place. Before you sign anything broad, talk to us about what the process actually requires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use one Power of Attorney to cover multiple properties in Iran?
No. Iranian authorities require a separate POA for each property, each naming the specific title deed number and address. A single POA attempting to cover multiple properties will be rejected.
What is the difference between a general and a specific Power of Attorney in Iran?
A general POA grants broad authority across almost any transaction. A specific (task-limited) POA authorizes the holder to perform only a named action on a named asset or case. Iranian consular and government offices now require the specific form — the general form is no longer accepted for most transactions and creates significant fraud risk.
Does a Power of Attorney signed in the United States need to be authenticated before use in Iran?
Yes. A POA signed in the United States typically must be notarized, then authenticated by the U.S. Secretary of State (apostille or state-level authentication), and in some cases further certified at the Iranian Interests Section before it will be recognized in Iran. ICS can advise on the exact chain of authentication required for your specific transaction.
Can someone misuse a general Power of Attorney before I can revoke it?
Yes, and this is the central risk. A general POA can be used immediately once signed. If the holder acts improperly — selling property without your consent, draining a bank account — reversing those transactions from abroad is extremely difficult. A task-specific POA limits exposure to the one authorized action.
How long does a Power of Attorney remain valid in Iran?
The validity period should be stated explicitly in the POA document itself. Without a stated expiration, the POA may be treated as open-ended, which increases misuse risk. ICS recommends including a specific expiration date tied to the completion of the authorized task.