Updated on 01 March 2026
Preparing an Indian Power of Attorney from the United Kingdom involves a number of distinct steps, each of which carries its own cost. Understanding what those costs are, what they cover and why they arise is essential for any NRI who wants to plan the process properly and avoid unexpected expenses along the way.
The total cost of making an Indian Power of Attorney in the UK will vary depending on the complexity of your situation, the number of documents involved, the type of authentication required and whether you engage a professional legal adviser to assist you. As a general guide, NRIs should expect the overall cost to fall somewhere between £150 and £350 and potentially more, depending on the specific circumstances.
This post sets out each of the costs involved in preparing, authenticating and registering an Indian Power of Attorney from the UK, so you can approach the process with a clear and realistic picture of what to expect.
For professional advice or assistance with your Indian Power of Attorney, please contact our experienced Indian legal team in London on 0208 757 5751 or complete our Contact Form to get in touch.
Indian Power of Attorney Costs at a Glance: 2026
The table below summarises the key costs involved in preparing, authenticating and registering an Indian Power of Attorney from the UK.
| Fee Type | Estimated Cost | Paid To |
| Legal Advice | Free initial advice to £350+ per hour | Indian Legal Adviser |
| Drafting Fee | £250 and above | Indian Legal Adviser |
| Notarisation Fee | £20 to £60+ per applicant | Notary Public |
| Consular Attestation | £20 per applicant | High Commission of India |
| UK Apostille (FCDO) | £30 to £55 | Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office |
| Document Translation | £5 to £50 per document | Translation Service |
| Postage to India | £15 to £50 | Postal or Courier Service |
| Stamp Duty (India) | ₹100 to ₹500+ | State Government, India |
| Registration Fee (India) | ₹500 to ₹5,000 | Sub-Registrar, India |
| Revocation (Deed of Revocation) | Similar to or more than original PoA cost | Legal Adviser and Indian Authorities |
The amounts above are indicative estimates as at March 2026. Actual costs will vary depending on your specific circumstances, the complexity of the document and the service providers you use. All costs are subject to change.
Legal Advice
Before proceeding with any Power of Attorney, it is strongly recommended that you seek legal advice tailored to your specific situation. An experienced legal adviser will be able to confirm whether a Power of Attorney is the right instrument for your needs, what type of PoA is most appropriate, who should be appointed as your attorney and what powers should be included or excluded.
The cost of legal advice will vary considerably depending on the adviser. Some firms offer a free initial consultation, while more senior practitioners may charge upwards of £350 per hour. Seeking proper advice at the outset is far more cost-effective than dealing with a rejected document or a legal dispute arising from a poorly drafted Power of Attorney at a later stage.
Drafting the Power of Attorney
The Power of Attorney must be drafted in precise legal language that complies with the requirements of Indian law and is appropriate for the specific purpose it is intended to serve. Many NRIs are tempted to use generic templates sourced from the internet in order to save on drafting costs. However, this approach carries a significant risk. A document that is incorrectly structured, uses vague language or fails to specify the relevant property or powers with sufficient precision is likely to be rejected by Indian authorities, which will ultimately cost more to resolve than the original drafting fee.
Professional drafting costs will vary depending on the complexity of the matter and the level of the adviser instructed. As a general guide, NRIs should expect to pay from £250 upwards for a professionally drafted Indian Power of Attorney.
Notarisation by a Notary Public
Before the Power of Attorney can be authenticated by the FCDO or the High Commission of India, it must first be notarised by a Notary Public in the United Kingdom. The Notary Public verifies your identity, witnesses your signature and stamps the document with their official credentials.
Notarisation fees vary between firms and by location, but NRIs should generally expect to pay between £20 and £60 or more per applicant. You will be required to attend the appointment in person with valid photographic identity, and at least two independent witnesses must also be present at the time of signing.
UK Apostille through the FCDO
Where the relevant Indian authority will accept an apostille in place of consular attestation, you can have your notarised Power of Attorney apostilled by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The apostille is a certificate that confirms the authenticity of the notary’s signature and seal under the Hague Convention of 1961.
The current cost of an FCDO apostille is between £30 and £55, depending on the service selected.
Consular Attestation by the High Commission of India
Although an FCDO apostille is technically sufficient under the Hague Convention, some Indian authorities continue to require attestation directly from the High Commission of India in London. Where attestation is required, you will need to attend an appointment at the High Commission and submit the notarised Power of Attorney along with supporting identity documents and the applicable fee.
The current fee for consular attestation is £20 per applicant, though this is subject to change and you should confirm the current fee with the High Commission before attending your appointment. Processing times may vary, so it is advisable to book well in advance.
Document Translation Costs
In some situations, additional documents will be required alongside the Power of Attorney, particularly where you are dealing with property transactions or home loan applications in India. If any of these supporting documents, such as title deeds or property registration papers, are not in English, they will need to be professionally translated before they can be accepted by the relevant Indian or UK authority.
Translation costs will vary depending on the nature and length of the document and the service provider used. As a general guide, you should expect to pay between £5 and £50 per document.
Sending the Power of Attorney to India
Once the Power of Attorney has been notarised and authenticated, the original document must be sent to your attorney in India by post or courier. It is essential that you use a tracked and signed-for service, as the loss or damage of an original authenticated document will require the entire process to be repeated from the beginning.
Postage and courier costs will vary depending on the urgency of the situation and the service provider you use. NRIs should expect to pay between £15 and £50. Retaining proof of postage and the tracking reference is strongly advisable.
Stamp Duty in India
Once the authenticated Power of Attorney arrives in India, it must be stamped by the Collector within 90 days of the date of notarisation. Stamp duty is payable at this stage in accordance with Schedule I of the Indian Stamp Act 1899. The applicable rate of stamp duty will vary depending on the state in India in which the document is to be used and the nature of the transaction involved.
As a general guide, stamp duty on a Power of Attorney in India typically ranges from Rs 100 to Rs 500 or more. Your attorney in India will be able to advise you on the exact amount payable based on the state and the type of PoA.
Registration Fees in India
Where the Power of Attorney relates to immovable property or is required to be registered under Indian law, your attorney in India will need to attend the Sub-Registrar’s Office to complete the registration formalities. Registration fees are payable at this stage and will vary from state to state.
As a general guide, registration fees for a Power of Attorney in India typically range from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000, including government fees and any professional fees charged by a local advocate for attending the registration on your behalf. Your attorney in India will be able to confirm the applicable fees for the relevant state.
Fees of the Attorney in India
If you appoint a family member or close relative as your attorney, there will generally be no professional fee involved. However, if you choose to appoint a lawyer or professional representative in India to act as your attorney, you should expect to pay a fee for their services. The amount will vary depending on the location in India, the seniority and experience of the professional, and the nature and complexity of the matters they will be handling on your behalf.
It is important to agree the scope of the attorney’s authority and any associated fees clearly before the Power of Attorney is finalised, to avoid any misunderstanding at a later stage.
Cost of Cancelling an Indian Power of Attorney
A step that many NRIs overlook is the cost of formally revoking a Power of Attorney once it is no longer needed. Unless the document includes a specific expiry date, it will remain valid until it is formally cancelled. An unrevoked Power of Attorney that is no longer needed presents an unnecessary legal risk, as the attorney technically retains the authority to act under it.
Revoking an NRI Power of Attorney requires a formal deed of revocation, which must go through the same authentication process as the original document. In practice, the cost of revocation is broadly similar to, and in some cases more than, the cost of the original Power of Attorney. This is because the deed of revocation must also be notarised, authenticated and registered in India in the same manner.
Factoring in the cost of revocation from the outset is sensible, particularly where you know the Power of Attorney is only needed for a defined period or purpose.
Choosing the Right Service
One of the most important decisions you will make in this process is choosing who to instruct to assist you with your Indian Power of Attorney. A poorly drafted or incorrectly executed document will cost significantly more to resolve than the original professional fees involved in getting it right from the start.
Our POA Pack Service includes professional drafting by an experienced Indian legal adviser, step-by-step guidance on the execution and authentication process, and a Deed of Revocation template for use when the Power of Attorney is no longer needed. We work with NRIs across the United Kingdom and internationally and are well placed to assist with straightforward and complex matters alike.
To find out more about our Indian Power of Attorney services, please visit our Indian Power of Attorney Services page or call us on 0208 757 5751.
