Notarial Power of Attorney
Some powers of attorney have no force at all without a notary. This guide explains when the law requires one, which types exist, and what changed on 3 February 2026 when Amendment 12 to the Notaries Law came into effect.
When a notary is required
A power of attorney is a document by which one person authorises another to act on his behalf. An act done by the attorney within the authority granted counts as an act of the principal himself. The basis for this is the Agency Law, 5725-1965.
Most powers of attorney do not require a notary. But section 20 of the Notaries Law, 5736-1976 provides that a general power of attorney, and a power of attorney for a real-estate transaction requiring registration in the Land Registry, are not valid unless drawn up by a notary or the signatures on them authenticated by a notary.
The distinction is practical: in these two cases the notarial step is a condition of validity, not a recommendation. A general power of attorney that never went through a notary is simply not valid.
The types
General power of attorney. Grants broad authority to act for the principal, other than acts requiring his personal presence. Requires a notary under section 20.
Power of attorney for a land transaction. For real-estate dealings requiring registration. Requires a notary under section 20.
Irrevocable power of attorney. Cannot be revoked unilaterally, because it secures an undertaking towards a third party. Common in real-estate transactions.
Consular power of attorney. Executed before an Israeli consul abroad, where the principal cannot attend in Israel.
Power of attorney to a banking corporation. Given to a bank for the registration of a mortgage. This is where the significant change applies, as set out below.
What Amendment 12 changed
Amendment 12 to the Notaries Law came into effect on 3 February 2026. It abolished the requirement of notarial authentication for a power of attorney given to a banking corporation for the purpose of registering a mortgage.
What did not change, and this is the essential point: all other notarial authentications remain in force, including other powers of attorney in real-estate transactions. The abolition is narrow and applies to one defined case. It does not mean that a power of attorney in a land transaction is exempt from a notary.
Before the amendment, a mortgage borrower had to sign the power of attorney to the bank before a notary as part of the routine of the loan. Since 3 February 2026 that step is no longer required in that context.
How the procedure runs
- Preparing the text. The scope of the authority is drafted according to what the attorney is actually meant to do.
- Attending before the notary. The principal attends with an original, valid identity document.
- Explanation and verification. The notary satisfies himself that the principal understands the scope of the authority and its meaning, and is acting of his own free will.
- Drawing up or authentication. The notary draws up the power of attorney, or authenticates the signature on it.
Where the principal does not command the language of the document, a notarial translation is arranged, or the dedicated authentication form is used, as set out on our page on authentication of signature.
What it costs
The notary's fee for drawing up a power of attorney or authenticating the signature on it is fixed by the Notaries Regulations (Service Fees), 5739-1978. It is identical at every notary in Israel and is updated on 1 January each year according to the consumer price index.
The full and current price list is kept in one place on our notary department page.
In summary
Two questions decide whether a notary is required: is the power of attorney a general one, and is it intended for a land transaction requiring registration. If either answer is yes, the notarial step is a condition of validity. And since 3 February 2026, a power of attorney to a banking corporation for the registration of a mortgage no longer requires notarial authentication.
For advice on a notarial power of attorney, contact us by phone at 02-5953322 or on WhatsApp at 050-441-1343.
What people ask most often
Which powers of attorney require a notary?
The requirement for a power of attorney to a bank was abolished. Does that cover all land dealings?
From when does the change apply?
Can a notarial power of attorney be revoked?
The principal is abroad. What then?
What should be brought to the meeting?
All Notary Department pages
Need a notarial power of attorney?
Tell us what the attorney is meant to do and in what context. That is enough for us to say which type is needed and whether the law requires a notary in your case.