- محمد امام عبد الرحيم
- certified translation, Egypt notarization, legal translation, power of attorney, real estate registry
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Egypt is moving notarization services into bank branches. In September 2026 the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) amended its rules to widen what banks can offer, and in October the Ministry of Justice signed a cooperation protocol with Commercial International Bank (CIB) to set up notarization offices inside CIB branches. For anyone who signs powers of attorney, contracts or property documents in Egypt, this could save a trip to a separate notary office.
But the announcements leave important questions open. This guide separates what is confirmed from what is not, and explains how to prepare translated documents for any notarization in Egypt.
What the Central Bank of Egypt changed
According to press reports, the CBE board approved amendments at its meeting on 23 September 2026 to the rules it issued in June 2021 for commercial registry and real estate registry notarization services at banks. The reported points are:
- A bank must have prior approval from the CBE before offering these services.
- The services may be offered only through branches the bank designates.
- Commercial registry services are available to the public.
- Real estate notarization is limited to the customers of the bank providing it.
- The other provisions of the 2021 rules remain in force.
The Justice Ministry and CIB protocol
In October 2026 the Minister of Justice, CIB’s chief executive and a CBE deputy governor attended the signing of a protocol under which notarization offices will operate inside CIB branches. Reports describe the aim as letting customers complete banking transactions and the related notarization in one place, and some highlight vehicle and real estate transactions.
What is not yet known
| Question | Status in the reports we reviewed |
|---|---|
| When will the first bank notary office open? | No start date or timeline published |
| Which CIB branches will have one? | No branch list published |
| Can non-customers use it? | Real estate notarization is limited to the bank’s customers under the CBE rules |
| Can foreigners and companies use it? | Not addressed in the reports |
| Which documents and fees apply? | Not published |
| Will other banks follow? | Any bank needs CBE approval, but no other bank is named |
Until the Ministry or the bank publishes the details, assume the usual notary office or Real Estate Registry procedures still apply to your transaction, and confirm before you plan around a bank branch.
Who might benefit first
- Property buyers and sellers who already bank with a participating bank and need to complete registry steps.
- Business owners who handle commercial registry services.
- Families who need powers of attorney or other signatures as part of a bank transaction.
These are likely uses based on the reports, not guaranteed services. Check the services list of the specific branch.
Translation still matters for foreign documents
Whatever the location, Egyptian notarization and registry work is done in Arabic. If a document was issued abroad, such as a passport, a foreign power of attorney, a company certificate or a contract, you will usually need an Arabic translation to use it in an Egyptian transaction. Conversely, if an Egyptian notarized document must be used abroad, it will usually need an English translation and sometimes extra authentication steps.
To avoid delays:
- Match names across all documents. A passport spelling that differs from the one on a contract is a common reason to be sent back.
- Translate the whole document, including stamps, seals and handwritten notes.
- Keep the original and the translation together and present both.
- Ask the office handling your transaction which type of translation it accepts before you order one.
We explain the usual translation and format points for powers of attorney in our guide to power of attorney translation in Egypt.
Documents people usually notarize, and what to prepare
Notarization in Egypt covers many everyday transactions. The documents that most often need translation alongside them are:
- Powers of attorney: for property, vehicles, bank accounts and court cases. If you sign abroad and use the document in Egypt, or the other way round, the translation and authentication steps need planning.
- Sale and lease contracts: especially property contracts involving a foreign buyer, seller or company.
- Company documents: commercial registry extracts, board resolutions and articles of association when a foreign partner is involved.
- Personal documents: marriage, birth and other civil certificates that support a property or inheritance procedure.
For each one, ask the receiving office which version it wants: the original, a certified copy, or an official translation. Requirements differ between offices, and a document prepared for the wrong format is the most common reason for a second visit.
Why the bank-branch model matters
Many property and business transactions already involve a bank: payment of the price, a mortgage, a company account, or a guarantee. Doing notarization in the same building could reduce the number of appointments and the risk of mismatched documents between the bank and the registry. That is the stated aim of the new arrangements. Whether it works well in practice will depend on how many branches open, how long appointments take and which transactions each branch can handle.
Until then, plan your paperwork as if you will need to present everything twice: once for the bank and once for the notary or registry. Documents that are consistent in names, dates and numbers pass both checks faster.
Checklist before you go to a bank notary office
- Confirm that your branch has an active notarization or registry service
- Ask if you must be a customer of that bank
- Take your original ID or passport and the original documents
- Prepare Arabic translations of any foreign documents
- Ask what fees apply and how you pay them
Frequently asked questions
Can I notarize a power of attorney at an Egyptian bank branch now?
The protocol announced in October 2026 provides for notarization offices inside CIB branches, but no start date or branch list has been published. Ask your bank before you go.
Do I need to be a bank customer?
Under the CBE rules as reported, real estate notarization at a bank is limited to that bank’s customers, while commercial registry services are open to the public.
Can foreigners use these services?
The reports do not say. Confirm with the bank or the competent notary office before you plan.
Will translated documents still be needed?
Yes, in most cases. Egyptian procedures run in Arabic, so documents in another language usually need an Arabic translation.
Can COT translate documents for a notarization in Egypt?
Yes. COT provides certified translation of powers of attorney, contracts and company documents. Send your documents on WhatsApp and we will confirm the price and timing before we start.
Need documents translated for a notarization or property transaction? COT, Consulting Office for Translation, has provided certified translation in Cairo since 1992, with branches in Maadi, Mohandessin and Downtown and online service across Egypt. Send your documents on WhatsApp 01111760177 or call the same number.
This article is for general information, based on press reports from September and October 2026 about Central Bank of Egypt and Ministry of Justice announcements. It is not legal advice. Confirm the current procedure with the bank or the competent authority before you act.
