Are Witnesses Required to Notarize a Power of Attorney?

What is a Power of Attorney?

A power of attorney allows an agent appointed by the principal to sign on their behalf if they are unable to for some reason. The most common reason I come across is due to sickness.

Commonly I am called to hospitals or convalescent homes because a patient’s sickness or injury has reached the point where they need someone to make financial or healthcare decisions for them.

Is a Witness Required?

Sometimes I am asked if witnesses are required to be present at the time of the signing. The short answer is no because in California the notary is the only independent witness needed. But if the document requires it and it’s being used in another state then yes, witnesses are required.

The only requirement is that the witnesses cannot be mentioned in the document. They can even be relatives as long as they, once again, are not mentioned in the power of attorney.

How The Document Diva can help

I provide a convenient mobile notary service. I would be happy to make an appointment to notarize your Power of Attorney.

I cover Long Beach, Carson, Signal Hill, El Camino Village, Cerritos, San Pedro, Wilmington, Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Harbor City, Torrance, Compton, El Segundo, Lomita, Gardena, Rolling Hills, Lawndale.

I can be reached at 562-314-4319 by phone or text.