General Power of Attorney Format & Template
Power of Attorney · ₹150 · ~8 min · Sign in free, fill the guided form with a live preview, pay to download.
Stamp paper required — state stamp duty on power of attorney. You'll receive the draft; e-stamping is done separately per your state's rules.
What is a General Power of Attorney?
A general power of attorney (GPA) is a document by which one person (the principal) authorises another (the agent or attorney) to act on their behalf across a broad range of matters — operating bank accounts, dealing with government offices, managing property, signing documents and representing them in legal matters.
The agent’s acts within the authority given bind the principal as if the principal had done them personally, which is why a GPA should be given only to someone you trust fully. It ends when you revoke it, and by law also on the principal’s death or loss of mental capacity.
When to use it
- You will be abroad or unavailable for an extended period and someone needs to handle your affairs.
- An elderly parent wants a family member to manage banking, pensions and paperwork.
- You own property in another city and need someone local to deal with tenants, taxes and utilities.
- You want one document covering many routine matters rather than a separate authority for each.
What you'll need
Keep these details ready — the form asks for them in this order.
Principal
Your full name · Your address
Agent
Agent's / Attorney's full name · Agent's address
Powers
Powers being granted
Execution
City · State · Execution date
How it works
Name the principal and the attorney
Full names, ages, addresses and ID details of both.
Choose the powers
Select the matters the attorney may act on — banking, property management, government offices, litigation — and any limits.
Preview, pay and download
Read the full wording carefully, pay ₹150 and download.
Stamp and execute
Print on stamp paper of your state’s value, sign before a notary (or the Sub-Registrar if it will be registered), with witnesses.
How to make it legally valid
- Stamp duty at your state’s rate for a power of attorney.
- Notarised, or registered with the Sub-Registrar where it will be used for property transactions — many Sub-Registrars will only act on a registered or authenticated power of attorney.
- Signed by the principal in person, with witnesses.
- Executed abroad? It generally needs attestation by an Indian embassy or consulate (or as your state accepts) and stamping in India within three months of arriving here.
Stamp paper. Stamp duty on a power of attorney is set by each state, and is often higher where it authorises the sale of immovable property or is given for consideration. Confirm the value with the stamp vendor or Sub-Registrar.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Relying on a GPA to transfer ownership of property. The Supreme Court held in Suraj Lamp & Industries v. State of Haryana (2011) that sales through a GPA, sale agreement and will do not convey title; the sale needs a registered sale deed.
- Granting broader powers than needed — use a special power of attorney for a single transaction.
- Forgetting to revoke it formally, and to tell banks and offices, when it is no longer needed.
- Not checking whether the bank or office that will act on it has its own format requirements.
Ready to prepare your General Power of Attorney?
₹150 · live preview before you pay
This is a self-help template for common situations — it is not legal advice and LawMitran is not a law firm. Need help with your general power of attorney? Find a documentation lawyer · Legal documents FAQs.