Legal help in Pakistan for Pakistanis living in Germany.
Property, inheritance, family and child adoption matters in Pakistan, run from Lahore while you stay in Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg, Munich or Cologne.
Short answer. Pakistanis living in Germany can instruct a Lahore firm on property, inheritance, family and child adoption matters in Pakistan without travelling. The power of attorney is signed through NADRA’s online system or at the Embassy of Pakistan, Berlin, or the Consulate General in Frankfurt — but not by local notary and apostille, because Germany objected to Pakistan’s accession to the Apostille Convention and it does not operate between the two countries.
Reviewed by Khalil Ahmad Bhullah, Founding Partner · Last reviewed 22 September 2026 · Pakistani law only
What Pakistanis in Germany bring us.
Germany objected to Pakistan joining the Apostille Convention
Germany lodged an objection in October 2022, so the Convention does not operate between Germany and Pakistan. A German notary plus apostille is not the route. Sign at the Embassy in Berlin or the Consulate General in Frankfurt, or use NADRA’s online power of attorney.
The same problem runs the other way
Pakistani documents you need in Germany — a court order, a succession certificate, a nikahnama — cannot be apostilled for German use either. German authorities may require checks through the German Embassy in Islamabad. Build that time into any German deadline.
Property occupied or sold behind your back
Relatives, qabza groups, tenants in default, forged transfers. Special courts for overseas Pakistanis, the Illegal Dispossession Act and civil suits.
Power of attorney from Germany
Drafted narrowly for one property or one case, signed by the route that works from Germany. Revocation if one is being misused.
Inheritance and succession
NADRA succession certificates with biometric verification from Germany through the Pak ID app, inheritance mutation, and court cases when a share is withheld.
Divorce, khula and custody
Talaq notice, khula, maintenance and custody in Pakistan, with a straight note on how Germany treats Pakistani family orders.
Documents from Germany.
The single most expensive mistake overseas clients make is paying for the wrong signing route.
No apostille between Germany and Pakistan
Germany lodged an objection to Pakistan’s accession to the Apostille Convention, so a local notary plus apostille is not an accepted route. Execute the power of attorney at the Embassy of Pakistan, Berlin, or the Consulate General in Frankfurt, or use NADRA’s online system and choose that mission.
NADRA’s online power of attorney
CNIC, NICOP and POC holders can apply at poa.nadra.gov.pk: upload the document, give biometrics for yourself and two witnesses, pay online, and take an online interview with the Pakistani mission you select. Foreign nationals with no Pakistani identity document must attend the mission.
Documents issued in Germany for use in Pakistan
A death certificate or court document from Germany needed in Pakistan goes through legalisation via the Pakistani mission, not an apostille. Ask the mission which local pre-certification it requires first.
Child guardianship and adoption.
Pakistan has guardianship, not adoption
Pakistani Family Courts appoint guardians under the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890; they do not make adoption orders. We file and argue the guardianship petition in Pakistan. Read the full guide.
Ask Germany first
Whether a child under a Pakistani guardianship order can join you, and whether you can later adopt, is decided by the Federal Office of Justice (Bundesamt für Justiz) and your Land adoption office. Get that answer before a petition is filed in Pakistan; starting in the wrong order can damage the application at home.
Working with Lahore from Germany.
- In Berlin, a 10:00 AM Lahore hearing is 6:00 AM outside daylight saving and 7:00 AM during it. Our office day, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM in Lahore, runs 5:00 AM to 2:00 PM (6:00 AM to 3:00 PM in daylight saving). Pakistan does not change its clocks, so the gap moves when yours do.
- WhatsApp is read Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Pakistan time. A message sent after hours is answered the next business morning in Lahore.
Questions from Pakistanis in Germany.
Germany lodged an objection to Pakistan’s accession to the Apostille Convention, so a local notary plus apostille is not an accepted route. Execute the power of attorney at the Embassy of Pakistan, Berlin, or the Consulate General in Frankfurt, or use NADRA’s online system and choose that mission.
In Berlin, a 10:00 AM Lahore hearing is 6:00 AM outside daylight saving and 7:00 AM during it. Our office day, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM in Lahore, runs 5:00 AM to 2:00 PM (6:00 AM to 3:00 PM in daylight saving). Pakistan does not change its clocks, so the gap moves when yours do. We book calls in the overlap.
Usually, yes. With a power of attorney signed from Germany, we file in Punjab’s special court for overseas Pakistanis’ property, under the Illegal Dispossession Act, 2005, or by civil suit, depending on the facts, and appear at the hearings. A court can require your attendance or evidence by video link at a particular stage.
That is decided under the law of Germany, not Pakistani law. For a child, ask the Federal Office of Justice (Bundesamt für Justiz) and your Land adoption office before anything is filed in Pakistan. For a divorce, take local family-law advice. We make the Pakistani process correct and properly documented so it has the best chance of being accepted.