Ministry of Justice Issues New Notarization Regulations: Remote Notarization Goes Live and Private Notaries Arrive

The Minister of Justice, Counsellor Nasser Yousef Al-Sumait, issued Decision No. 590 of 2026 on 28 July 2026, promulgating new Executive Regulations for the Notarization Law No. 10 of 2020 as amended by Decree-Law No. 147 of 2025. The Regulations repeal Decision No. 348 of 2021, run to sixty articles with three schedules, and apply from the date of issue.

The centrepiece is a complete electronic track. Notarization and attestation may now be carried out by recorded video session, with identity verified through the Hawiyati digital ID, a protected electronic signature or sight of the civil ID on camera (Articles 17 to 22). Routine special powers of attorney listed in Schedule 1 can be completed through a fully automated system with no notary intervention, under the Department's electronic seal and at the same fees as in-person service (Article 19). Remote channels are closed to persons with a mental disability, persons aged seventy-five or above, and those under judicial assistance (Article 18).

The Regulations also operationalize the private notary profession created by Decree-Law No. 147 of 2025. Licensed private notaries may notarize powers of attorney of all kinds except those relating to real-estate ownership or real rights, notarize company incorporation, amendment, dissolution and exit contracts, attest signatures and certify dates (Article 39). Licences run for two renewable years and require Kuwaiti nationality, a law degree, ten years of legal experience and professional indemnity cover of at least KD 100,000; Schedule 2 caps fees, including KD 100 for a company contract (Articles 40, 44 and 47).

Notarized powers of attorney are now valid for five years, or ten years for litigation powers granted to registered lawyers and powers used exclusively outside Kuwait, and the expiry date must appear on the deed itself (Article 16).

WEFAQ's view: the Regulations take effect immediately, so the practical changes begin today. Businesses should record the new validity limits against existing powers of attorney and expect banks, counterparties and government bodies to start asking when a notarized power expires.

Read more: for the full analysis, read our companion blog article: "Kuwait's New Notarization Regime: Remote Deeds, Private Notaries and a Five-Year Clock on Powers of Attorney".

Source: Ministry of Justice Decision No. 590 of 2026, dated 28 July 2026 (certified copy, Ministry of Justice, General Registration Section); publication in Kuwait Al-Youm pending.

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact WEFAQ Law Firm.