
Witnesses' signatures may make the power of attorney more acceptable to lawyers, banks, insurance companies and other entities the attorney-in-fact may have to deal with. Most states don't require the durable power of attorney to be signed in front of witnesses Nevertheless, it doesn't hurt to have a witness or two watch you sign, and sign the document themselves.

Expect to pay a reasonable extra fee for mobile notary services. To arrange it, call around to notaries listed in the yellow pages. If needed, you may be able to find a notary who will come to your home or hospital room. Mailbox stores, real estate offices and title companies may also have notaries. Or check with your bank, which may provide notarizations as a service to customers. The notary's fee is usually inexpensive-less than $20 in most places.įinding a notary public shouldn't be a problem many advertise online or in the yellow pages.
#DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR FINANCES LICENSE#
The notary will want proof of your identity, such as a driver's license that bears your photo and signature. The notary public watches you sign the durable power of attorney and then signs it, too, and stamps it with an official seal. A durable power of attorney that isn't notarized may not be accepted by people with whom your attorney-in-fact tries to deal. But even where law doesn't require it, custom usually does. See "Witnessing," below.) In many states, notarization is required by law to make the durable power of attorney valid. (In just a few states, you can choose to have your document witnessed or notarized. In almost all states, you must sign your durable power of attorney in the presence of a notary public. Signing and NotarizingĪ durable power of attorney is a serious document, and to make it effective you must observe certain formalities when you sign the document. If you don't want to change your durable power of attorney, find another bank that will accept the document as it is.

You may have to go along if you want cooperation later. An institution may require that you include specific language in your durable power of attorney, authorizing the attorney-in-fact to do certain things on your behalf.

