Short answer: A power of attorney for NRI property purchase lets a trusted person in India sign and register documents for you, so you can buy a home in Mumbai without travelling. For a purchase it is usually a specific power of attorney that names the property and the exact acts allowed. If you sign it abroad, sign before an Indian embassy or consulate officer, or before a local notary with an apostille in countries that follow the Hague Apostille Convention. Once it reaches India it must be stamped within three months, and the sub-registrar will check it before your attorney can register anything for you.
Most non-resident Indians (NRIs) buying in Mumbai cannot be present for every signature, bank visit and registration appointment. This guide walks through each step, what the document should cover, and the mistakes that cause delays. It builds on our nri property buying mumbai guide, which covers eligibility, payments and documents in general. The rules below are general information, not legal advice; have the final document drafted by a lawyer in India.
What a power of attorney does
A power of attorney (PoA) is a legal document in which you, the principal, authorise another person, the attorney or agent, to act on your behalf. For a property purchase it typically lets your attorney sign the agreement for sale, appear before the sub-registrar to register it, deal with the developer and your bank, and later take possession.
NRIs and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) can buy residential and commercial property in India. Agricultural land, plantations and farmhouses are not allowed for them. A PoA does not change those rules: it only changes who does the paperwork.
General vs specific power of attorney
| General PoA | Specific (special) PoA | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Wide powers over many matters or properties | Limited to named acts for one named property |
| Typical use | Long-term management of assets in India | Buying, registering and taking possession of one home |
| Risk | Higher: more room for misuse | Lower: powers end with the named tasks |
| Suited to a purchase? | Rarely needed | Usually preferred |
For one home, a specific PoA is the safer choice. It should name the project, the unit (once allotted), the developer, and each act the attorney may perform.
Who to appoint
Choose someone you trust completely, who lives in or near Mumbai and can attend appointments at short notice. Most NRIs appoint a parent, sibling or close relative. A lawyer can also act as attorney, but family members are more common for a home purchase.
Your attorney should not use their own money or bank account for the purchase. Payments should go from your own NRE, NRO or FCNR account directly to the developer, so the money trail stays in your name.
What the PoA should cover for a home purchase
- Signing the agreement for sale and any supplementary documents for the named property.
- Appearing before the sub-registrar to admit execution and register the agreement.
- Paying stamp duty and registration fees from funds you provide.
- Corresponding with the developer on allotment, demand letters and receipts.
- Dealing with your home loan lender, if you take a loan.
- Taking possession, signing the possession letter and joining the society.
Leave out powers you do not need, such as selling, mortgaging or gifting the property. If you want those later, sign a new document.
Step by step: signing a PoA from abroad
1. Get the draft from a lawyer in India
Ask a property lawyer in Mumbai to draft the PoA in the format the sub-registrar accepts. Read it carefully and check names, passport numbers and addresses.
2. Sign before the right authority
You have two routes, depending on where you live:
- Consular route: sign in person before an officer at the Indian embassy or consulate, who attests the document.
- Apostille route: in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention, sign before a local notary and then get an apostille from the designated authority of that country.
Some offices and banks in India are more familiar with consular attestation, so ask your lawyer which route suits your case.
3. Send the original to India
Courier the signed original to your attorney or lawyer. Scans and copies are not enough for registration.
4. Get it stamped within three months
A PoA signed outside India must be stamped in India within three months of first arriving in the country. In Maharashtra this is done through the stamp office, where the document is adjudicated and the duty paid. A PoA that misses this window can face penalties and problems being accepted.
5. Use it at the sub-registrar
When your agreement for sale is registered, your attorney presents the stamped PoA. The sub-registrar checks that it is properly authenticated and that it covers the act being performed. Ask your lawyer whether your PoA also needs to be registered in India for the tasks you have in mind.
Mistakes that delay NRI purchases
- Signing a broad general PoA when a specific one would do.
- Spelling or passport details that do not match your other documents.
- Missing the three-month stamping window.
- Letting the attorney pay from their own account.
- Not keeping a certified copy, and not recording who holds the original.
- Forgetting to revoke the PoA once the purchase is complete.
Revoking a power of attorney
You can revoke a PoA at any time by signing a revocation deed, attested in the same way as the original, and informing your attorney, the developer, your bank and the sub-registrar where it was used. A specific PoA can also be written to end automatically once possession is taken.
Using a PoA for a pre-launch project like Adani Bandra Reclamation
Adani Bandra Reclamation by Adani Realty is a pre-launch sea-front project at Bandra Bay, beside the Bandra–Worli Sea Link, with 3, 4 and 5 BHK residences and the 3 BHK sea-facing residence listed from Rs 29 Cr* onwards. It is pending RERA registration, which means no bookings, agreements or allotments can be made yet.
That timing works in favour of overseas buyers. There is nothing to sign today, so you have time to:
- Enquire from abroad and get the brochure and price sheet.
- Choose your attorney and have a lawyer prepare a draft PoA.
- Line up your NRE, NRO or FCNR funds and any home loan.
- Check the registration once granted, using our MahaRERA check guide.
The PoA itself is signed later, once the project is registered and you know the unit you are buying. For the project-specific steps, read Adani Bandra Reclamation for NRIs. To understand the area before you commit, see our Bandra Reclamation coastal road guide and places near Bandra Reclamation, or visit our homepage for the project overview.
Related guides
- Documents to check before buying an under-construction flat in Maharashtra
- Cost of buying a flat in Mumbai: every charge beyond the base price
- Home loan for a luxury flat in Mumbai
- Adani Bandra Reclamation payment plan: how payments work under RERA
Frequently asked questions
Can an NRI buy property in Mumbai through a power of attorney?
Yes. A trusted person in India can sign and register documents for you using a power of attorney, so you do not need to travel for every step.
Which type of power of attorney should an NRI use to buy a flat?
A specific (special) power of attorney is usually preferred. It covers only the named property and the acts needed to buy, register and take possession.
How does an NRI sign a power of attorney abroad?
Sign before an Indian embassy or consulate officer, or before a local notary with an apostille in Hague Apostille Convention countries. Then send the original to India.
Does a PoA signed abroad need stamping in India?
Yes. It must be stamped in India within three months of first arriving in the country, and the sub-registrar checks it before it is used.
Can I use a power of attorney for Adani Bandra Reclamation?
Once the project is registered under RERA and a unit is allotted, a PoA can be used to sign and register for you. Until then, no agreements can be signed.
Enquire from abroad
If you are an NRI considering a sea-front home at Bandra Bay and want the brochure, floor plans and price details, message us on WhatsApp, call +91 80503 63647 or send an enquiry. Zero brokerage and a priority site visit are available on request.
RERA notice: Adani Bandra Reclamation is pending registration under RERA – as per Section 3 of the RERA Act 2016, no bookings, sale agreements or allotments shall be made until registration is granted, and the information here is for awareness only.
*Indicative, as per developer-authorised listings (September 2026), approximate, exclusive of statutory charges, and subject to change. Areas, layouts and pricing do not constitute an offer and will be confirmed on RERA registration. Images: artist’s impressions, indicative only.
This is a marketing page and is not the official Adani Realty website. The project is developed by Adani Realty; all trademarks and project names belong to their respective owners and are used here solely to identify the project represented.
