Power of attorney guide
Power of Attorney in Wisconsin
Wisconsin law presumes a notarized signature is genuine rather than requiring a notary outright, but every bank and recorder treats notarization as required. Wisconsin publishes a statutory form (Wis. Stat. §244.61). An online notarization performed under another state's law is recognized in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin power of attorney at a glance
Notary
Recommended (required to record)
Witnesses
None required
Online notarization
Accepted
Statutory form
Wis. Stat. §244.61
Financial (property) power of attorney under Wis. Stat. Chapter 244. Health-care documents follow their own rule — see below. Checked 2026-10-17.
The Wisconsin statutory form
Wisconsin statutory form power of attorney for finances and property — Wis. Stat. §244.61.
The statutory form is the one banks and recorders in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
A notarized signature is presumed genuine (Wis. Stat. §244.05); the statutory form includes a notary block, institutions expect it, and a power used for real estate must be acknowledged to be recorded.
No witnesses are required for a financial power of attorney.
Online notarization in Wisconsin
Wisconsin's RULONA gives a notarial act performed in another state the same effect as a Wisconsin act (Wis. Stat. §140.11); Wisconsin remote notarization has run since 2020.
Rush Notary’s notaries are commissioned online notaries public in Florida and notarize for Wisconsin signers over live video under Florida’s remote online notarization law. The certificate they complete is a Florida certificate; Wisconsin honors it under the recognition rule above. Details for this state are on the Wisconsin 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 (Wis. Stat. §706.06, §706.05).
Title companies also ask the agent to sign an affidavit at closing that the principal is alive and the power has not been revoked, and lenders review the document before closing.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 Wisconsin
A Wisconsin power of attorney for health care (Wis. Stat. §155.10) must be signed before two adult witnesses; no notary is required. The agent, relatives, heirs, the health-care provider and facility employees 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 Wisconsin power of attorney
Written revocation delivered to the agent; record it with the register of deeds if the power was recorded.
Wisconsin power of attorney forms we index
Government forms in Wisconsin 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
Wisconsin power of attorney questions
- Does a power of attorney need to be notarized in Wisconsin?
- A notarized signature is presumed genuine (Wis. Stat. §244.05); the statutory form includes a notary block, institutions expect it, and a power used for real estate must be acknowledged to be recorded.
- Does a Wisconsin power of attorney need witnesses?
- No witnesses are required for a financial power of attorney.
- Can a Wisconsin power of attorney be notarized online?
- Wisconsin's RULONA gives a notarial act performed in another state the same effect as a Wisconsin act (Wis. Stat. §140.11); Wisconsin remote notarization has run since 2020.
- Is there an official Wisconsin power of attorney form?
- Yes — the Wisconsin statutory form power of attorney for finances and property (Wis. Stat. §244.61).
- Does a power of attorney have to be recorded in Wisconsin?
- 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 (Wis. Stat. §706.06, §706.05).
- How is a medical power of attorney signed in Wisconsin?
- A Wisconsin power of attorney for health care (Wis. Stat. §155.10) must be signed before two adult witnesses; no notary is required. The agent, relatives, heirs, the health-care provider and facility employees 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
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
- 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.