Authorization Letter To Close Bank Account Template for the United Arab Emirates

An Authorization Letter To Close Bank Account is a formal legal document that allows you to delegate the authority to close your bank account to another person in the United Arab Emirates. Under UAE banking law, this document serves as your official instruction to the bank, authorizing a trusted representative to complete the account closure process on your behalf when you cannot personally attend the bank.

When do you need this document?

You need this authorization letter when circumstances prevent you from visiting the bank personally to close your account. Common situations include being abroad for business or personal reasons, medical conditions that limit your mobility, or when managing multiple accounts across different emirates. Corporate account holders frequently use this document to authorize specific employees or legal representatives to handle account closures. The document is also essential for joint account holders who need to authorize one party to close the account, or when elderly account holders require family members to handle their banking affairs.

Key legal considerations

Your authorization letter must include specific elements to be legally valid under UAE law. You must clearly identify yourself as the account holder with full personal details, specify the complete account information including account number and type, and provide comprehensive details about your authorized representative including their Emirates ID or passport number. The scope of authority must be explicitly defined, stating that the representative is authorized specifically to close the account and handle related procedures. You should include any limitations on the authority, such as restrictions on transferring funds above certain amounts. The letter must be dated and signed in your presence, and depending on your bank's requirements, may need notarization or witnessing. Consider including provisions for the representative to receive account closure confirmation and final statements.

Legal requirements in United Arab Emirates

Under UAE Federal Law No. 14 of 2018 (Central Bank Law), banks must follow strict procedures for account closures, including proper verification of authorization documents. Your letter must comply with UAE Federal Law No. 5 of 1985 (Civil Transactions Law) regarding powers of attorney and delegation of authority. Banks are required under Central Bank of UAE Notice No. 3668/2018 to verify the identity of both the account holder and authorized representative, and maintain proper documentation for regulatory compliance. Anti-money laundering provisions under UAE Federal Decree Law No. 20 of 2018 require banks to conduct due diligence checks during account closure procedures. Many UAE banks require the authorization letter to be attested by a notary public or include witness signatures, and some may require the document to be in both English and Arabic. You should ensure your authorized representative carries valid identification and is prepared to answer questions about the account closure request.