Do I Need A Witness Present To Have A Durable Power Of Attorney?

Do-I-Need-Witness-Present-For-POA

By NotaryLive Staff

Published on 01/28/2021

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

  • Witness requirements for a durable power of attorney (POA) vary by state—check your state's laws
  • Some states require notarization or witnesses to verify mental competence
  • Consult an attorney for guidance on POA requirements in your state

 

Do I need a witness present for a durable power of attorney? 

The state where you sign the power of attorney form (POA) determines the answer. You must check with your state’s laws before you begin the process of drafting your power of attorney.

You can also check the National Notary Association (NNA) for notarization rules and law updates in each state.

 

1. What's the difference between a Durable Power of Attorney vs. a Regular Power of Attorney? 

Before going into the blog, it's good to know the difference in DPOA vs. POA. 

Power of Attorney: is a document that gives a person you choose (your “agent”) the legal authority to make decisions on your behalf. 

The term “durable” simply means this authority remains in effect even if you become incapacitated or mentally incompetent. 

Regular (non-durable) poa: This is revoked immediately if you become incapacitated 

Durable POA: This is specifically written to survive your incapacitation.

 

2. Why do Power of Attorney laws vary?

The power of attorney (POA) must follow your state’s laws, or third parties may refuse your agent’s authority.

Each state has its own laws for notarizing your power of attorney form or requiring a witness at signing. 

Following these rules ensures your power of attorney is valid when you need it most.

In every state, you (the principal) must sign the power of attorney to appoint your agent.

Whether your power of attorney needs notarization depends on your state. If required, you can notarize online with NotaryLive.com, an online notary service.

Your state may not require notarizing your power of attorney form or having a witness. But doing so helps make sure it’s valid.

 

3. POA Witness Requirements By State 

Below is a list of the power of attorney witness requirements per state. 

Keep in mind that the different types of Power of Attorney Forms (POA), may differ in the number of witnesses required. The different types are: 

  • Financial Power of Attorney
  • Medical Power of Attorney (or Healthcare POA)

 

StatePOA Witness Requirements By State & Notarization Requirements 
Alabama

Financial

  • Witnesses not required (Recommended 2 witnesses)
  • Notarization required

Medical

  • 2 witnesses OR a notary public
Alaska

Financial

  • 2 adult witnesses OR notary public

Medical

  • 2 adult witnesses OR notarization
Arizona

Financial 

  • 1 witness
  • Notarization is required

Medical 

  • 1 witness OR a notary public
Arkansas

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization is required

Medical

  • 2 witnesses required OR notary public
California

Financial 

  • 2 witnesses required OR notary public

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses required OR notary public
Colorado

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required
  • Notarization not required

Medical 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization not required 
Connecticut

Financial 

  • 2 witnesses required
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses required
Delaware

Financial 

  • 1 witness required
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses required
Florida

Financial 

  • 2 witnesses required
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses required
Georgia

Financial 

  • 1 witness required
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses required
Hawaii

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses OR a notary public
Idaho

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • Witnesses or notarization not required
Illinois

Financial 

  • 1 witness required
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 1 witness required
Indiana

Financial 

  • 2 witnesses required OR notary public

Medical 

  • Notarization required
Iowa

Financial 

  • 2 witnesses required
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses required
  • Notarization is required
Kansas

Financial 

  • 2 witnesses required OR notary public
  • Notarization is recommended

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses required OR notary public
Kentucky

Financial 

  • Since 2018, witnesses no longer required
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses OR notary public
Louisiana

Financial 

  • 2 witnesses required
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses required
Maine

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses required
Maryland

Financial 

  • 2 witnesses required
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses required
Massachusetts

Financial 

  • 2 witnesses required
  • Notarization not required but highly recommended

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses required
Michigan

Financial 

  • 2 witnesses required OR notary public

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses required
Minnesota

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses OR notary public
Mississippi

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses OR notary public
Missouri

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • Notarization required (If you plan to give an agent authority for burial/cremation, you'll need 2 witnesses.
Montana

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses required
Nebraska

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses OR notary public
Nevada

Financial 

  • 2 witnesses required
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses OR notary public  (If agent has authority to direct burial/cremation, notarization is required).
New Hampshire

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses OR notary public
New Jersey 

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses OR notary public
New Mexico 

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • Witnesses or notarization not required (but recommended)
New York

Financial 

  • 2 witnesses required
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses required
North Carolina

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses required
  • Notarization required
North Dakota

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses OR notary public
Ohio

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses OR notary public
Oklahoma

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization not required (but recommended) 

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses required
Oregon

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses OR notary public
Pennsylvania

Financial 

  • 2 witnesses required
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses required
Rhode Island 

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses OR notary public (must be notarized if agent will direct burial/cremation)
South Carolina

Financial 

  • 2 witnesses required
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses required
  • Notarization required
South Dakota

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses OR notary public
Tennessee

Financial 

  • 2 witnesses OR notary public

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses OR notary public
Texas

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses OR notary public (if agent directs burial/cremation, you must have both)
Utah

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 1 witness (if agent directs burial/cremation, you must have 2 witnesses)
Vermont

Financial 

  • 1 witness required
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses required
Virginia

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses required (must be notarized if agent directs burial/cremation)
Washington

Financial 

  • 2 witnesses OR notary public

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses OR notary public
West Virginia

Financial 

  • 2 witnesses required
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses AND a notary public
Wisconsin

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses required
Wyoming

Financial 

  • Witnesses not required 
  • Notarization required

Medical 

  • 2 witnesses OR notary public

Remember, these requirements can change, so it's always best to consult legal resources or an attorney for the most up-to-date information specific to your state. 

 

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And there you have it, a sneak peek into the world of online notary services and its most popular states and the documents. Remember, each state has its jurisdiction, so it's important to check your state-specific laws!

 

For more information on notarizations, visit NNA (National Notary Association) for regular updates.

 

Does NotaryLive sound like the right fit for you and your business?

Learn more about our NotaryLive Business account can help your firm. 

For pricing info, click here to visit our Pricing page!

If you have any questions, contact our sales team, and schedule a demo. We will be happy to help!

 

 

**Legal Disclaimer - We are not lawyers or attorneys and do not give any legal advice. Please check with your attorneys, advisors, or document recipients if you have any unanswered questions about your documents.

 

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Updated Date: 09/17/2025


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