Power of attorney guide
Power of Attorney in Washington
A Washington 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. Washington publishes a statutory form (RCW 11.125.050 (execution)). An online notarization performed under another state's law is recognized in Washington.
Washington power of attorney at a glance
Notary
Required unless witnessed
Witnesses
2 witnesses
Online notarization
Accepted
Statutory form
RCW 11.125.050 (execution)
Financial (property) power of attorney under RCW Chapter 11.125. Health-care documents follow their own rule — see below. Checked 2026-10-17.
The Washington statutory form
No statutory form; Washington did not enact the uniform act's optional form — RCW 11.125.050 (execution).
The statutory form is the one banks and recorders in Washington 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 Washington
A power of attorney must be signed by the principal and either acknowledged before a notary or attested by two competent witnesses (RCW 11.125.050). Notarize it: a power used for real estate must be acknowledged to be recorded.
Two witnesses only if you do not use a notary.
Who may not witness
- The agent
- Anyone related to the principal or the agent by blood, marriage or domestic partnership
- A home care provider or an employee of a long-term care facility where the principal lives
Online notarization in Washington
Washington's RULONA gives a notarial act performed in another state the same effect as a Washington act (RCW 42.45.090); Washington remote notarization has run since 2020.
Rush Notary’s notaries are commissioned online notaries public in Florida and notarize for Washington signers over live video under Florida’s remote online notarization law. The certificate they complete is a Florida certificate; Washington honors it under the recognition rule above. Details for this state are on the Washington online notarization requirements page.
Using it for real estate
A power of attorney for a conveyance must be acknowledged and recorded with the county auditor (RCW 64.04.020).
Title companies also ask the agent to sign an affidavit at closing that the principal is alive and the power has not been revoked, and lenders review the document before closing.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 Washington
A Washington health care power of attorney follows the same execution rule as the financial power (RCW 11.125.050, 11.125.400): a notary or two qualified witnesses; the agent and the health-care provider may not witness.
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 Washington power of attorney
Written revocation delivered to the agent; record it with the county auditor if the power was recorded.
Washington power of attorney questions
- Does a power of attorney need to be notarized in Washington?
- A power of attorney must be signed by the principal and either acknowledged before a notary or attested by two competent witnesses (RCW 11.125.050). Notarize it: a power used for real estate must be acknowledged to be recorded.
- Does a Washington power of attorney need witnesses?
- Two witnesses only if you do not use a notary. The agent; Anyone related to the principal or the agent by blood, marriage or domestic partnership; A home care provider or an employee of a long-term care facility where the principal lives may not witness.
- Can a Washington power of attorney be notarized online?
- Washington's RULONA gives a notarial act performed in another state the same effect as a Washington act (RCW 42.45.090); Washington remote notarization has run since 2020.
- Is there an official Washington power of attorney form?
- Yes — the No statutory form; Washington did not enact the uniform act's optional form (RCW 11.125.050 (execution)).
- Does a power of attorney have to be recorded in Washington?
- 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 county auditor (RCW 64.04.020).
- How is a medical power of attorney signed in Washington?
- A Washington health care power of attorney follows the same execution rule as the financial power (RCW 11.125.050, 11.125.400): a notary or two qualified witnesses; the agent and the health-care provider may not witness.
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
- Michigan
- 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, 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.