Yes, a notary is required.
The form isn't effective unless the principal's signature is notarized; the notary can't also be the witness.
In the official wording
"will not be effective unless it is signed by at least one witness and your signature is notarized."
From the official pages listed below, checked November 2026.
What else the signing needs
- Witnesses
- One witness. At least one witness. The witness can't be an agent or successor agent, the principal's doctor or mental health provider, or a close relative of the principal or agent.
"Illinois requires only one witness, but other jurisdictions may require more than one witness."
- Official form
- Illinois Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney for Property. The statutory short form under 755 ILCS 45/3-3, with notices to the principal and the agent. Open the official form
- Durable after incapacity
- The form's notice says the agent may act before and after incapacity, unless the principal limits the period.
"throughout your lifetime, both before and after you become incapacitated"
Not confirmed on the pages we read: an agent acknowledgment and recording for real estate. Check with Illinois Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney for Property, 755 ILCS 45/3-3 (Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission).
Next step
Sign by video with our New Jersey notary while you're in Illinois, 7 AM to 9 PM Eastern, seven days a week, by appointment. New Jersey law lets a New Jersey notary notarize for a signer located in another state (N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.10). How Illinois treats it: Illinois recognizes acknowledgments by a notary authorized where the act is performed (765 ILCS 30/2). More on Illinois signers.
If the agent will use it for real estate, ask the title company or the county recorder before you sign.
Witnesses are required too. Talk to us before booking so we can plan the session, or sign in person with a notary and witnesses.
Book an online notarization Request a mobile notary in Illinois
In person, we look for a notary commissioned in Illinois near you; you approve the price first.
If a local notary in Illinois does it: Up to $5 per notarial act (non-electronic), under the state's fee rules (Illinois notary fees).
And a health care power of attorney?
No notary is required. One witness, 18 or older, who isn't the agent, a relative of the principal or agent, the principal's clinician, or an owner or operator of the facility. No notary is needed.
"There is no need to have the form notarized."
One adult witness.
From 755 ILCS 45/4-10, Statutory short form power of attorney for health care (Illinois General Assembly). A health care document follows its own signing rule, separate from the financial one.
Official sources
- Illinois Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney for Property, 755 ILCS 45/3-3 (Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission) (checked November 2026)
- 755 ILCS 45/4-10, Statutory short form power of attorney for health care (Illinois General Assembly) (checked November 2026)
We are not lawyers, and this is general information, not legal advice. Checked November 2026. Rules change, and whoever receives the document decides what it accepts; we can't guarantee acceptance.
Common questions
Is notarization required for a power of attorney in Illinois?
Yes, a notary is required. The form isn't effective unless the principal's signature is notarized; the notary can't also be the witness.
Are witnesses needed for a Illinois power of attorney?
One witness. At least one witness. The witness can't be an agent or successor agent, the principal's doctor or mental health provider, or a close relative of the principal or agent.
Does a medical power of attorney need a notary in Illinois?
No notary is required. One witness, 18 or older, who isn't the agent, a relative of the principal or agent, the principal's clinician, or an owner or operator of the facility. No notary is needed.
Can I sign a Illinois power of attorney with an online notary?
Our New Jersey notary can notarize it by video while you're in Illinois. Illinois recognizes acknowledgments by a notary authorized where the act is performed (765 ILCS 30/2). Witnesses are required too, so talk to us before booking, or sign in person.
What does a notary charge in Illinois?
Up to $5 per notarial act (non-electronic), under the state's fee rules. A mobile notary may add a travel fee; ask for the total first.
Keep going
A power of attorney in another state: Idaho · Iowa · every state