Official Power of Attorney Forms in Every State (2026)
Where to get each state's statutory or official power of attorney form, and the signing rules, from the state legislature or court.
| State | The rule |
|---|---|
| Alaska | Alaska has a statutory form power of attorney for financial matters based on AS 13.26.600-965. The Alaska Court System's self-help center posts a Power of Attorney booklet and form (provided by Alaska Legal Services Corporation); you choose which powers (A-N) to grant and whether the power of attorney is durable, and it must be signed in front of a notary. Health care decisions are not covered by this form: a separate Alaska Advance Health Care Directive form (AS 13.52) is used to name a health care agent and give instructions, and the court's self-help page links to it as well. AS 13.26.600-965; Alaska Court System, Self-Help: Powers of Attorney (Power of Attorney booklet) |
| Arizona | Arizona has no fill-in statutory financial power of attorney form, but A.R.S. 14-5501(D) sets execution rules and gives the required wording for the principal's declaration, witness affidavit and notary jurat. A financial (durable) power of attorney must clearly state the intent to create a power of attorney and identify the agent; be signed by the principal (or by another person in the principal's conscious presence and at their direction); be witnessed by one person who is not the agent, the agent's spouse or children, or the notary; and be acknowledged before a notary, with the witness's affidavit sworn before the notary. For health care, the Arizona Attorney General's Life Care Planning page offers free forms: Health Care Power of Attorney, Mental Health Care Power of Attorney, Living Will, and Pre-Hospital Medical Directive (Do Not Resuscitate, printed on orange paper). A.R.S. 14-5501; Arizona Attorney General, Life Care Planning |
| California | For health care, California law (Probate Code section 4701) governs the advance health care directive. The California Attorney General says there is no required form to document your wishes, although state law requires certain provisions to appear in the directive; sample forms are available from health and hospice care providers. Cal. Prob. Code 4701; California Attorney General, Advance Health Care Directive |
| Colorado | Colorado has an optional "State of Colorado Statutory Form Power of Attorney" for property and finances (C.R.S. 15-14-741, part of its Uniform Power of Attorney Act). A power of attorney must be signed by the principal, or by another person in the principal's conscious presence at the principal's direction; the signature is presumed genuine if the principal acknowledges it before a notary public (C.R.S. 15-14-705). The statutory form does not cover health care decisions; those are made through a medical durable power of attorney, which can set out an agent's authority to consent to or refuse medical treatment (C.R.S. 15-14-506). C.R.S. 15-14-741, 15-14-705, 15-14-506 |
| Connecticut | Connecticut has two statutory financial forms: the "Durable Statutory Power of Attorney - Short Form" and the "Durable Statutory Power of Attorney - Long Form" (Conn. Gen. Stat. 1-352(a)). A power of attorney must be dated, signed by the principal (or by another person in the principal's conscious physical presence at the principal's direction), and witnessed by two witnesses; the signature is presumed genuine if acknowledged before a notary public, commissioner of the Superior Court or other authorized person (1-350d), and the statutory forms include a notary acknowledgment block. For health care, Conn. Gen. Stat. 19a-575a provides a combined form for health care instructions, appointment of a health care representative, designation of a conservator for future incapacity and anatomical gift; any adult may sign and date it in the presence of two adult witnesses who also sign, and the person appointed as representative may not be a witness (19a-576(a)). Conn. Gen. Stat. 1-350d, 1-352; 19a-575a, 19a-576 |
| Delaware | Delaware has an optional statutory "Durable Personal Power of Attorney Form" with a notice and an agent's certification (12 Del. C. 49A-301); an agent may not act until signing the certification. A personal power of attorney must be in writing, dated, signed by the principal (or by another person signing the principal's name in the principal's presence at the principal's express direction), and signed in front of a notarial officer and one adult witness; the witness cannot be related to the principal by blood, marriage or adoption, or be entitled to any part of the principal's estate under an existing will, codicil or trust (49A-105). For health care, Delaware's optional "Advance Health-Care Directive" form is in 16 Del. C. 2511. A power of attorney for health care must be in a record, signed by the individual and by one adult witness who is present at signing; the witness cannot be the agent or the agent's spouse, domestic partner or cohabitant, or (in a nursing home or long-term care facility) an owner, operator, employee or contractor of the facility (2508(d)). 12 Del. C. 49A-105, 49A-301; 16 Del. C. 2508, 2511 |
| District of Columbia | D.C. has an optional "District of Columbia Statutory Power of Attorney Form" for finances (D.C. Code 21-2603.01). A power of attorney must be signed by the principal (or by another person in the principal's conscious presence at the principal's direction) and is invalid unless acknowledged before a notary public or other official authorized to take acknowledgments (21-2601.05). For health care, a durable power of attorney for health care must clearly authorize the agent to make health-care decisions and be signed and dated by the principal and two adult witnesses who affirm the principal was of sound mind and free from duress; the principal's health-care provider and the provider's employees cannot witness, and at least one witness must be unrelated to the principal and not entitled to any part of the estate (21-2205). D.C. Code 21-2207 contains the related form. D.C. Code 21-2601.05, 21-2603.01, 21-2205 |
| Florida | Florida does not provide a fill-in statutory financial power of attorney form. A power of attorney must be signed by the principal and by two subscribing witnesses and acknowledged by the principal before a notary public (or as otherwise allowed by s. 695.03); if the principal cannot sign, the notary may sign the principal's name (Fla. Stat. 709.2105). For health care, Fla. Stat. 765.203 gives a suggested form titled "Designation of Health Care Surrogate." Fla. Stat. 709.2105; 765.203 |
| Georgia | For health care, Georgia has a statutory form, the Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care (O.C.G.A. 31-32-5), offered free by the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services. It can name a health care agent, state choices about life support and nutrition/hydration, and nominate a guardian; Part Four (signature and witnessing) must be completed. You sign and date it (or acknowledge doing so) in the presence of two witnesses who are of sound mind and 18 or older; a witness cannot be your health care agent, someone who will knowingly inherit or gain financially from your death, or someone directly involved in your health care, and only one witness may be an employee, agent or medical staff member of the facility where you are receiving care. Using the form is never required. O.C.G.A. 31-32-5; Georgia Division of Aging Services, Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care |
| Hawaii | For health care, the Hawaii Department of Health's Executive Office on Aging links to the Hawaii Advance Health Care Directive form in fillable and printable versions (hosted by Kokua Mau); electronic signatures are not accepted. Hawaii Department of Health, Executive Office on Aging, Advance Healthcare Directive |
| Idaho | Idaho has an optional "Idaho Statutory Form Power of Attorney" for finances (Idaho Code 15-12-301). A power of attorney must be signed by the principal, or by another person in the principal's conscious presence at the principal's direction; the signature is presumed genuine if acknowledged before a notary public or other official authorized to take acknowledgments (15-12-105). For health care, Idaho uses an advance care planning document (ACPD) that must contain the person's name, date of birth, phone number and postal address, the person's (or an authorized agent's) signature, and the signing date; witnesses and notarization are optional, and the Department of Health and Welfare may publish an optional, non-mandatory form (Idaho Code 39-4510). Idaho Code 15-12-105, 15-12-301; 39-4510 |
| Illinois | Illinois has statutory forms under the Illinois Power of Attorney Act (755 ILCS 45): a Power of Attorney for Property (financial decisions) and a Power of Attorney for Health Care. The Illinois Department on Aging also lists a Living Will Declaration (755 ILCS 35), a Declaration for Mental Health Treatment (755 ILCS 43) and the POLST form (755 ILCS 40); free copies are available from the Department on Aging Senior HelpLine (1-800-252-8966), the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission and the Department of Public Health (also in Spanish). The Department of Public Health advises having someone who is not your agent witness your signing of a health care power of attorney (your agent cannot be your health care provider), and a living will must be witnessed by two people, not including your health care professional. 755 ILCS 45; Illinois Department on Aging, Legal Forms - Advance Directives; Illinois Department of Public Health, Advance Directives |
| Indiana | For health care, Indiana has no official or mandatory advance directive form; a directive must meet the requirements of the health care advance directives chapter, IC 16-36-7. The Indiana Department of Health's Advance Directives Resource Center links to sample forms. Financial powers of attorney are governed by the Indiana Powers of Attorney Act, IC 30-5. IC 16-36-7; IC 30-5; Indiana Department of Health, Advance Directives Resource Center |
| Iowa | Iowa has an optional "Iowa Statutory Power of Attorney Form" for property and finances under the Iowa Uniform Power of Attorney Act (Iowa Code 633B.301); it does not cover health care decisions. A power of attorney must be signed by the principal (or, in the principal's conscious presence, by another person other than a prospective agent at the principal's direction) and must be acknowledged before a notary public; an agent named in it may not notarize the principal's signature (633B.105). A durable power of attorney for health care must explicitly authorize health care decisions, be dated, and be either signed by two witnesses in the presence of each other and the principal or acknowledged before a notarial officer; attending health care providers and their employees, the named agent and anyone under 18 cannot witness, and at least one witness must not be related to the principal within the third degree (Iowa Code 144B.3). Iowa Code 633B.105, 633B.301; 144B.3 |
| Kansas | Kansas law sets out a statutory form titled "Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions" (K.S.A. 58-632); it is signed and dated by the principal and either witnessed by two adults or acknowledged before a notary public. Witnesses cannot be the agent, a relative of the principal by blood, marriage or adoption, someone entitled to part of the principal's estate, or someone financially responsible for the principal's health care. A financial power of attorney under the Kansas power of attorney act must be signed by the principal and dated and acknowledged under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (a physically unable but competent principal may have an adult designee sign in the principal's presence before a notary); powers of attorney executed on or after July 1, 2021 are sufficient if they substantially comply with the form set out by the Kansas Judicial Council (K.S.A. 58-652). K.S.A. 58-632; 58-652 |
| Kentucky | Kentucky has a "Kentucky Statutory Form Power of Attorney" for property and finances under the Uniform Power of Attorney Act (KRS 457.420); it does not authorize health care decisions. A power of attorney must be signed by the principal, or by another person in the principal's conscious presence at the principal's direction (with the reason stated in the document); the signature is presumed genuine if acknowledged before a notary public or other person authorized to take acknowledgments (KRS 457.050). For health care, KRS 311.625 sets out a "Living Will Directive" form, which also lets you designate a health care surrogate. An advance directive must be in writing, dated and signed, and either witnessed by two or more adults in the presence of the grantor and each other or acknowledged before a notary public; a blood relative, a beneficiary under the intestacy statutes, an employee of the health care facility where the grantor is a patient (unless serving as notary), the attending physician, or anyone directly financially responsible for the grantor's care cannot serve as witness or notary. KRS 457.050, 457.420; KRS 311.625 |
| Louisiana | Louisiana has no statutory fill-in form for a financial power of attorney (called a mandate or procuration in Louisiana). A mandate is not required to be in any particular form, but when the law prescribes a form for an act, a mandate authorizing that act must be in that same form (Civil Code art. 2993). For end-of-life decisions, R.S. 40:1151.2 provides an optional illustrative "Declaration" (living will) form; a written declaration must be signed by the declarant in the presence of two witnesses, and an adult may also make an oral or nonverbal declaration before two witnesses after diagnosis of a terminal and irreversible condition. La. Civil Code art. 2993; La. R.S. 40:1151.2 |
| Maine | A Maine power of attorney must be signed by the principal (or by another person in the principal's conscious presence at the principal's direction) and is not valid unless acknowledged before a notary public or other person authorized by law to take acknowledgments. A durable power of attorney is not valid unless it contains the "Notice to the Principal" and "Notice to the Agent" set out substantially in the statute (18-C M.R.S. 5-905). For health care, 18-C M.R.S. 5-805 provides an optional "Advance Health Care Directive" form, which must be signed and dated by you and signed by 2 other individuals as witnesses. 18-C M.R.S. 5-905, 5-805 |
| Maryland | Maryland has a "Maryland Statutory Form Personal Financial Power of Attorney" (Md. Code, Estates and Trusts 17-202), with a signature and notary acknowledgment block and a two-witness attestation. A power of attorney executed on or after October 1, 2010 must be signed by the principal (or by another person at the principal's explicit direction and in the principal's physical presence), acknowledged by the principal before a notary public, and attested and signed by two or more adult witnesses in the principal's presence and each other's presence (Estates and Trusts 17-110). For health care, Health-General 5-603 provides the form "Maryland Advance Directive: Planning for Future Health Care Decisions," with signature and witness lines. Md. Code, Est. & Trusts 17-110, 17-202; Health-Gen. 5-603 |
| Michigan | Michigan has a "Michigan Statutory Form Power of Attorney" for finances and property under the Uniform Power of Attorney Act (MCL 556.401); it does not authorize health care decisions. A power of attorney must be signed by the principal (or by another person in the principal's conscious presence at the principal's direction). To be durable it must either be acknowledged before a notary public or be signed in the presence of 2 witnesses who also sign; a witness may not be an agent named in the power, and one witness may also be the notary (MCL 556.205). For health care, a patient advocate designation must be in writing, signed, dated, executed voluntarily, and executed in the presence of and signed by 2 witnesses; a witness cannot be the patient's spouse, parent, child, grandchild, sibling, presumptive heir, known devisee, physician or patient advocate, or an employee of the patient's life or health insurer or of a treating health facility, among others (MCL 700.5506). MCL 556.205, 556.401; MCL 700.5506 |
| Minnesota | Minnesota has a "Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney" for general (financial) powers (Minn. Stat. 523.23); the principal's signature must be acknowledged before a notary public or other official, while the attorney-in-fact's acknowledgment and specimen signature does not need notarization. A health care directive must be signed by the principal (or an authorized person for the principal) and the signature verified either by a notary public or by witnesses; a named health care agent or alternate may not act as witness or notary, and at least one witness must not be a health care provider (or provider's employee) giving direct care to the principal, though a notary may be such an employee (Minn. Stat. 145C.03). Minn. Stat. 523.23; 145C.03 |
| Missouri | Missouri does not set out a fill-in statutory financial power of attorney form on the opened pages; instead, a durable power of attorney must be titled "Durable Power of Attorney," contain one of the durability statements prescribed by statute (for example, "THIS IS A DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY AND THE AUTHORITY OF MY ATTORNEY IN FACT SHALL NOT TERMINATE..."), and be signed by the principal and dated and acknowledged in the manner required for real estate conveyances (RSMo 404.705). An agent under a health care power of attorney may direct withholding or withdrawal of artificially supplied nutrition and hydration only if the power of attorney specifically grants that authority (RSMo 404.820). RSMo 459.015 provides a living will "Declaration" form; unless written entirely in the declarant's own handwriting, it must be signed in the presence of two or more witnesses at least 18 years old, neither of whom signed for the declarant. RSMo 404.705, 404.820, 459.015 |
| Montana | Montana has a statutory form for a financial power of attorney: the "Statutory Form Power of Attorney" in Mont. Code Ann. § 72-31-353 (Uniform Power of Attorney Act). The form covers property and finances only and says it does not authorize the agent to make health care decisions. It ends with a signature and acknowledgment block for a notary. For health care, Mont. Code Ann. § 50-9-103 (Rights of the Terminally Ill Act) provides optional declaration forms to direct withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment or to name another person to make those decisions; the declaration must be signed by the declarant (or by another person at the declarant's direction) and witnessed by two individuals. Mont. Code Ann. §§ 72-31-353, 50-9-103 |
| Nebraska | Nebraska has a statutory form for a financial power of attorney: the "Statutory Form Power of Attorney" in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-4041 (Nebraska Uniform Power of Attorney Act). The form ends with a signature and acknowledgment block for a notary and an optional signature line for the agent. For health care, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-3408 provides a power of attorney for health care form; it is signed by the principal and either witnessed by two people who declare the principal is personally known to them, or acknowledged before a notary. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 30-4041, 30-3408 |
| Nevada | Nevada has a statutory form for a financial power of attorney in NRS 162A.620 (Uniform Power of Attorney Act). The form states it is not valid unless the principal dates and signs it and it is acknowledged before a notary public. For health care, NRS 162A.855 provides an Advance Health-Care Directive form. A power of attorney for health care must be signed by the principal and either acknowledged before a notary public or witnessed by two adult witnesses; the agent cannot be a witness, and if the principal lives in a nursing home, the home's owner, operator or employees cannot serve as witnesses. NRS 162A.620, 162A.790, 162A.855 |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire has a statutory form for a financial power of attorney: the "Statutory Form Power of Attorney" in RSA 564-E:301. The principal must date and sign it (or have someone sign in their presence and at their express direction), and it must be acknowledged before a notary public or other individual authorized by law. An agent has no authority until the agent signs the attached acknowledgment. For health care, RSA 137-J:20 sets out an Advance Directive form with two parts, a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and a Living Will; it must be signed by two witnesses or by a notary public or justice of the peace. RSA 564-E:301; RSA 137-J:20 |
| New Jersey | For health care, the New Jersey Department of Health offers two advance directive forms developed by the New Jersey Commission on Legal and Ethical Problems in the Delivery of Health Care: a Proxy Directive (durable power of attorney for health care) and an Instruction Directive (living will). You can complete an advance directive without a lawyer. Sign and date it in front of two adult witnesses who also sign and date it, or have it notarized instead of using witnesses. The person you appoint as your health care representative cannot be a witness. New Jersey Department of Health, Advance Directives FAQs |
| New Mexico | New Mexico has a statutory form for a financial power of attorney: the "New Mexico Statutory Form Power of Attorney" in NMSA 1978 § 45-5B-301 (Uniform Power of Attorney Act). It covers property and money only and does not authorize health care decisions. The form ends with a signature and acknowledgment block for a notary public. For health care, the advance directive packet posted by the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department has four parts (power of attorney for health care, health care instructions, primary physician, and signatures); it says you must sign and date the form, and that witnesses are not required but may help if the directive is ever challenged. NMSA 1978 § 45-5B-301; New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department, Advance Directive |
| New York | New York has a statutory form for a financial power of attorney: the "Power of Attorney New York Statutory Short Form" in General Obligations Law § 5-1513. The principal signs with a notary's acknowledgment and two witnesses, who cannot be named as agents or as permitted gift recipients; the agent can act only after signing an acknowledgment of appointment before a notary public. For health care, Public Health Law § 2981 provides an optional health care proxy form; the proxy must be signed and dated by the adult in the presence of two adult witnesses who also sign it, and the appointed agent cannot be a witness. N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 5-1513; N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 2981 |
| North Carolina | North Carolina has a statutory form for a financial power of attorney: the "North Carolina Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney" in G.S. 32C-3-301, an optional form that the principal signs and dates before a notary, who completes the acknowledgment. For health care, G.S. 32A-25.1 provides a statutory "Health Care Power of Attorney" form; the principal's signature must be witnessed by two qualified witnesses and proved by a notary public, and the form says not to sign until two witnesses and a notary are present. Witnesses cannot be related to the principal by blood or marriage or be the principal's attending physician, among other listed exclusions. N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 32C-3-301, 32A-25.1 |
| North Dakota | For health care, N.D. Cent. Code § 23-06.5-17 sets out an optional "Health Care Directive" form that lets you name a health care agent, give health care instructions, and make an organ and tissue donation; another form may be used if it complies with the chapter. A health care directive must be in writing, dated, and signed by the principal (or by someone the principal authorizes), and the signature must be verified by a notary public or by at least two witnesses age 18 or older; at least one witness must not be a health care or long-term care provider giving direct care to the principal. North Dakota's durable power of attorney chapter (N.D. Cent. Code ch. 30.1-30) does not contain a statutory form for a financial power of attorney. N.D. Cent. Code §§ 23-06.5-05, 23-06.5-17; ch. 30.1-30 |
| Ohio | Ohio law sets out a "Statutory Form Power of Attorney" for property and financial matters (Ohio Rev. Code 1337.60). The form ends with a signature and acknowledgment section for the principal and a notary public. A signature on a power of attorney acknowledged before a notary public is presumed to be genuine (1337.25). A durable power of attorney for health care must be signed by the principal at the end of the document and dated, and either witnessed by at least two adults or acknowledged before a notary public. Relatives of the principal by blood, marriage or adoption, the named attorney in fact or alternate, the attending physician, and the administrator of a nursing home where the principal receives care cannot be witnesses (1337.12). Ohio Rev. Code 1337.60, 1337.25, 1337.12 |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma's "Oklahoma Advance Directive for Health Care" form, made under the Oklahoma Advance Directive Act, combines a living will, the appointment of a health care proxy (and alternate), and anatomical gifts. The person signing must be 18 or older, and the form is signed in the presence of two witnesses who must be 18 or older, not related to the person and not people who would inherit from them. Oklahoma Advance Directive Act; Oklahoma Health Care Authority, Oklahoma Advance Directive for Health Care form |
| Oregon | Oregon's statutes (ORS chapter 127) set out an official advance directive form for health care: an advance directive "must be in substantially the following form" (ORS 127.529), and the Oregon Health Authority posts the form. It must be signed by the principal and either witnessed and signed by at least two adults or notarized by a notary public. Witnesses may not be the principal's attending physician or attending health care provider, or the principal's appointed health care representative or alternate; if the principal lives in a long-term care facility, one witness must be a person designated by the facility (ORS 127.515). For finances, a power of attorney must be in writing and becomes effective when executed (ORS 127.005); the opened chapter text does not contain a statutory financial power of attorney form. ORS 127.005, 127.515, 127.529 |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania does not set out a fill-in statutory form for a financial power of attorney, but every power of attorney must begin with a statutory NOTICE in capital letters signed by the principal, and the agent must sign an acknowledgment of duties before acting (20 Pa.C.S. 5601(c), (d)). The power of attorney must be dated and signed by the principal (or by another person at the principal's direction), acknowledged before a notary public who is not the agent, and witnessed by two adults; the agent, the notary, and anyone who signed for the principal cannot be witnesses (5601(b)). For health care, the statute gives an example form, "Durable Health Care Power of Attorney and Health Care Treatment Instructions (Living Will)" (20 Pa.C.S. 5471). A health care power of attorney must be dated, signed by the principal and witnessed by two adults; a person who signs on the principal's behalf cannot be a witness (5452). Notarization is not required for a power of attorney used only for health care decisions (5601(e.2)). 20 Pa.C.S. 5601, 5452, 5471 |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island has a "Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney" for financial matters (R.I. Gen. Laws 18-16-2). It must be in writing and the principal's signature must be acknowledged in the same manner as a deed of real property; powers the principal does not want to grant are struck through and initialed. For health care, the statute sets out the "Statutory Form Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care" (R.I. Gen. Laws 23-4.10-2), which is not valid unless signed by a notary public or by two qualified witnesses who are present when the principal signs or acknowledges the signature. The named agent or alternate agent, a health care provider or its employee, and the operator of a community care facility or its employee may not serve as witnesses. R.I. Gen. Laws 18-16-2; 23-4.10-2 |
| South Carolina | South Carolina's Uniform Power of Attorney Act (S.C. Code Title 62, Article 8) does not include a statutory financial power of attorney form; it provides only an optional form an agent may use to certify facts about a power of attorney (62-8-119(f)). A power of attorney must be signed by the principal (or by another person in the principal's presence at the principal's direction), attested with the same formalities and witness requirements as a will in South Carolina, and acknowledged or proved under Section 30-5-30 (62-8-105). For health care, the Probate Code sets out a "Health Care Power of Attorney (S.C. Statutory Form)"; documents executed on or after January 1, 2007 must be substantially in that form. It is not valid unless two persons sign as witnesses who saw the principal sign or acknowledge the signature. Witnesses cannot include the principal's spouse, close relatives and their spouses, anyone financially responsible for the principal's medical care, heirs or will and life insurance beneficiaries, the named agents, the principal's physician or the physician's employees, or anyone with a claim against the estate; if the principal is a patient in a health facility, no more than one witness may be a facility employee. Notarization of the health care form is optional. S.C. Code 62-8-105, 62-8-119; S.C. Code Title 62, Article 5, Part 5 (Health Care Power of Attorney) |
| South Dakota | South Dakota law lets a principal name an attorney-in-fact (agent) with authority to make health care decisions through a durable power of attorney for health care, including consenting to, rejecting or withdrawing consent for any care, service or procedure. It must be signed by the principal, and the signature must be witnessed by two other adults or by a notary public (SDCL 59-7-2.1). SDCL 59-7-2.1 |
| Texas | Texas has an official form for a financial power of attorney: the "Statutory Durable Power of Attorney" in Tex. Est. Code 752.051. The form itself states that it does not authorize anyone to make medical or other health care decisions. To be a durable power of attorney it must be signed by the adult principal (or by another adult at the principal's direction in the principal's conscious presence), contain durability language, and be acknowledged before an officer authorized to take acknowledgments and administer oaths, such as a notary (Tex. Est. Code 751.0021). For health care, the "Medical Power of Attorney" must be in substantially the form in Tex. Health & Safety Code 166.164; it must be signed in the presence of two competent adult witnesses, at least one of whom is not the named agent, a relative, an heir, the attending physician or certain health care employees, or instead signed and acknowledged before a notary public (166.154, 166.003). Tex. Est. Code 751.0021, 752.051; Tex. Health & Safety Code 166.003, 166.154, 166.164 |
| Utah | Utah has an optional "Statutory Form Power of Attorney" for property and finances under the Uniform Power of Attorney Act (Utah Code 75A-2-301); the form states that it does not authorize the agent to make health care decisions. A power of attorney must be signed by the principal (or by another individual at the principal's direction in the principal's conscious presence) before a notary public or other person authorized to take acknowledgments, and the principal must have enough capacity to understand that they are appointing an agent for their financial affairs (75A-2-105). For health care, the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act (effective January 1, 2026) provides an optional "Advance Health Care Directive" form (75A-9-110). A power of attorney for health care must be in a record signed by the individual and by one adult witness who is present (in person or as the statute allows electronically) and is not the agent, the agent's spouse or cohabitant, or, for a nursing home or assisted living resident, the facility's owner, operator, employee or contractor (75A-9-107). Utah Code 75A-2-105, 75A-2-301; 75A-9-107, 75A-9-110 |
| Vermont | Vermont has an optional "Vermont Statutory Form Power of Attorney" for property and finances under the Vermont Uniform Power of Attorney Act (14 V.S.A. 4051), plus a statutory short form for real estate transactions (14 V.S.A. 4052); the general form states that it does not authorize health care decisions. A power of attorney must be signed by the principal or, in the principal's conscious presence, by another person at the principal's direction; acknowledging the signature before a notary public makes it presumed genuine (14 V.S.A. 4005). For health care, an advance directive must be signed by two or more witnesses at least 18 years old who affirm that the principal appeared to understand it and was free from duress; the named agent and the principal's spouse, parent, adult sibling, adult child or adult grandchild cannot witness. If the principal is being admitted to or lives in a nursing home or residential care facility, or is a hospital patient, a designated person (for example an ombudsman, clergy member or Vermont attorney) must also explain the directive and sign a statement (18 V.S.A. 9703). 14 V.S.A. 4005, 4051, 4052; 18 V.S.A. 9703 |
| Virginia | Virginia's Uniform Power of Attorney Act (Va. Code ch. 16 of Title 64.2) does not include a statutory fill-in form for a financial power of attorney; its only statutory form is an optional agent's certification (Va. Code 64.2-1639). A power of attorney must be signed by the principal or, in the principal's conscious presence, by another individual at the principal's direction; a signature acknowledged before a notary public is presumed genuine, and to be recordable it must also meet Va. Code 55.1-600 (64.2-1603). For health care, Va. Code 54.1-2984 provides an optional suggested "Advance Medical Directive" form; a written advance directive must be signed by the declarant in the presence of two subscribing witnesses (54.1-2983). Va. Code 64.2-1603, 64.2-1639; 54.1-2983, 54.1-2984 |
| Washington | Washington's Uniform Power of Attorney Act (chapter 11.125 RCW) does not provide a statutory fill-in form for a financial power of attorney; its form section is an agent's certification (RCW 11.125.430). A power of attorney must be signed and dated by the principal and either acknowledged before a notary public (or other person authorized to take acknowledgments) or signed by two or more competent witnesses in the principal's presence; witnesses cannot be the principal's home care providers or care providers at the principal's adult family home or long-term care facility, and cannot be related to the principal or agent by blood, marriage or state-registered domestic partnership (RCW 11.125.050). An agent may make health care decisions only if the power of attorney expressly grants that authority (RCW 11.125.240). Separately, RCW 70.122.030 provides an optional "Health Care Directive" form; it must be signed before two witnesses who are not relatives, heirs, creditors, the attending physician or that physician's or the facility's employees, or acknowledged before a notary. RCW 11.125.050, 11.125.240, 11.125.430; RCW 70.122.030 |
| West Virginia | West Virginia has an optional "Statutory Form Power of Attorney" for property and finances (W. Va. Code 39B-3-101); the form states that it does not authorize the agent to make health care decisions and ends with a signature and notary acknowledgment block. A power of attorney must be signed by the principal (or, in the principal's conscious presence, by another person at the principal's direction) and acknowledged before a notary public or other person authorized to take acknowledgments (39B-1-105). For health care, W. Va. Code 16-30-4 includes optional sample forms for a living will, a medical power of attorney and a combined medical power of attorney and living will. These must be in writing, dated and signed by the principal in the presence of two or more witnesses at least 18 years old, whose signatures and attestations are acknowledged before a notary public. Witnesses cannot be the person who signed for the principal, a relative by blood or marriage, someone entitled to part of the estate, someone directly financially responsible for the principal's medical care, the attending physician, or the named medical power of attorney representative or successor. W. Va. Code 39B-1-105, 39B-3-101; 16-30-4 |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin's Uniform Power of Attorney Act (Wis. Stat. ch. 244) includes a "Statutory Form Power of Attorney for Finances and Property" (Wis. Stat. 244.61). A power of attorney must be signed by the principal or, at the principal's express direction and in the principal's physical presence, by another adult; acknowledging the signature before a notarial officer makes it presumed genuine, and the statute also allows remote signing supervised by a Wisconsin attorney with two witnesses on live audio-video (244.05). For health care, Wis. Stat. 155.30 provides a "Power of attorney for health care instrument" form that the state prepares and distributes. A power of attorney for health care must be signed in the presence of two witnesses at least 18 years old who are not the principal's relatives by birth, marriage or adoption or domestic partner, people entitled to or with a claim on the estate, people directly financially responsible for the principal's health care, the principal's health care providers or their employees (chaplains and social workers excepted), employees of an inpatient facility where the principal is a patient, or the health care agent (155.10). Wis. Stat. 244.05, 244.61; 155.10, 155.30 |
| Wyoming | Wyoming has an optional "State of Wyoming Statutory Form Power of Attorney" for property and finances under the Uniform Power of Attorney Act (Wyo. Stat. 3-9-301); the form states that it does not authorize the agent to make health care decisions. A power of attorney must be signed by the principal or, in the principal's conscious presence, by another person at the principal's direction; a signature acknowledged before a notary public is presumed genuine (3-9-105). For health care, a power of attorney for health care must be in writing, signed by the principal (or by another person in the principal's presence at the principal's direction), and either acknowledged before a notarial officer or signed by at least two witnesses who each declare under penalty of perjury that the principal signed or acknowledged it in their presence. A treating health care provider or the provider's employee, the named attorney-in-fact, or the operator or an employee of a community or residential care facility cannot witness (Wyo. Stat. 35-22-403). Wyo. Stat. 3-9-105, 3-9-301; 35-22-403 |
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.