Power of attorney guide
Power of Attorney in Michigan
A Michigan power of attorney must be either acknowledged before a notary or signed before two witnesses — and notarized if it will be used for real estate. Michigan publishes a statutory form (MCL 556.301). An online notarization performed under another state's law is recognized in Michigan.
Michigan power of attorney at a glance
Notary
Required unless witnessed
Witnesses
2 witnesses
Online notarization
Accepted
Statutory form
MCL 556.301
Financial (property) power of attorney under MCL 556.201 et seq.. Health-care documents follow their own rule — see below. Checked 2026-10-17.
The Michigan statutory form
Michigan statutory form power of attorney — MCL 556.301.
The statutory form is the one banks and recorders in Michigan see most often, and the one the statute requires third parties to accept when it is properly signed. A lawyer-drafted power of attorney is equally valid if it is executed the same way.
How to sign a power of attorney in Michigan
A power of attorney must be signed by the principal and either acknowledged before a notary or signed in the presence of two witnesses (MCL 556.205). Notarize it: a power used for real estate must be acknowledged to be recorded, and most institutions require it.
Two witnesses only if you do not use a notary.
Who may not witness
- The agent
Online notarization in Michigan
Michigan's notary law gives a notarial act performed in another state by an authorized notary the same effect as a Michigan act (MCL 55.291); Michigan's own remote notarization has run since 2020.
Rush Notary’s notaries are commissioned online notaries public in Florida and notarize for Michigan signers over live video under Florida’s remote online notarization law. The certificate they complete is a Florida certificate; Michigan honors it under the recognition rule above. Details for this state are on the Michigan online notarization requirements page.
Using it for real estate
A power of attorney for a conveyance must be acknowledged and recorded with the register of deeds in the county where the land lies (MCL 565.36).
Title companies also ask the agent to sign an affidavit at closing that the principal is alive and the power has not been revoked, and lenders review the document before closing. See the real estate power of attorney page.
Medical power of attorney in Michigan
A Michigan patient advocate designation (MCL 700.5506) must be signed before two adult witnesses; a notary is not required. The patient advocate, relatives, heirs, the physician and facility employees may not witness, and the advocate must sign an acceptance before acting.
What a health-care agent can decide, and how the document differs from a living will, is on the medical power of attorney page.
Revoking a Michigan power of attorney
Written revocation delivered to the agent; record it with the register of deeds if the power was recorded.
Michigan power of attorney forms we index
Government forms in Michigan that are powers of attorney — limited powers for permits, zoning and tax matters, and state-agency forms — each with the issuing office, the notary requirement and the PDF.
City and county forms
- Contractor Limited Power of Attorney (1 place)
- Limited Power of Attorney (1 place)
- Power Of Attorney Delegating Parent's Power Over Minor Child (1 place)
- Power Of Attorney Delegating Parental Powers (1 place)
- Power of Attorney for Minor (1 place)
Michigan power of attorney questions
- Does a power of attorney need to be notarized in Michigan?
- A power of attorney must be signed by the principal and either acknowledged before a notary or signed in the presence of two witnesses (MCL 556.205). Notarize it: a power used for real estate must be acknowledged to be recorded, and most institutions require it.
- Does a Michigan power of attorney need witnesses?
- Two witnesses only if you do not use a notary. The agent may not witness.
- Can a Michigan power of attorney be notarized online?
- Michigan's notary law gives a notarial act performed in another state by an authorized notary the same effect as a Michigan act (MCL 55.291); Michigan's own remote notarization has run since 2020.
- Is there an official Michigan power of attorney form?
- Yes — the Michigan statutory form power of attorney (MCL 556.301).
- Does a power of attorney have to be recorded in Michigan?
- Only when it is used to sign a deed, mortgage or other recorded instrument. A power of attorney for a conveyance must be acknowledged and recorded with the register of deeds in the county where the land lies (MCL 565.36).
- How is a medical power of attorney signed in Michigan?
- A Michigan patient advocate designation (MCL 700.5506) must be signed before two adult witnesses; a notary is not required. The patient advocate, relatives, heirs, the physician and facility employees may not witness, and the advocate must sign an acceptance before acting.
Types of power of attorney
Durable power of attorney
Stays in force if you later lose capacity. The standard choice for long-term planning.
Medical power of attorney
Names someone to make health care decisions when you cannot. Witness rules vary by state.
Limited power of attorney
Authority for one task or one period — a closing, a permit, a vehicle sale, a trip abroad.
Financial power of attorney
Banking, bills, investments, taxes and property. Usually durable; usually on the state's statutory form.
Springing power of attorney
Takes effect only when a stated event happens — usually a doctor's finding of incapacity.
Vehicle power of attorney
Lets someone title, register or sell a car for you. Most DMVs publish their own notarized form.
Real estate power of attorney
To buy, sell, mortgage or manage property. Must be notarized and is recorded with the deed.
Power of attorney for a minor child
Lets a grandparent, relative or friend care for your child and deal with schools and doctors while you are away.
Power of attorney for vital records
Lets an agent request a birth, death or marriage certificate for you where the state allows it.
Other states
- Texas
- California
- Florida
- New York
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
General information about how powers of attorney are signed, not legal advice. Execution rules are set by each state’s statute and change; the sources on each state page link to the current text. Whether a particular bank, recorder, agency or title company accepts a document is its own decision — confirm with the receiving party before signing. Rush Notary’s notaries are commissioned online notaries public in Florida who notarize for signers in every state under Florida’s remote online notarization law; see the online notarization requirements for your state.