Yes, a notary is required.
Acknowledged by the principal before a notary, in person or electronically.
In the official wording
"Acknowledged by the principal in the physical or electronic presence of a notary public."
From the official pages listed below, checked November 2026.
What else the signing needs
- Witnesses
- Two witnesses. Two adult witnesses sign in the presence of the principal and each other; the notary may be one of them.
"Attested and signed by two or more adult witnesses."
- Recording for real estate
- The act doesn't require recording; it mentions recording only in passing, for example that a clerk may refuse to record a photocopy.
- Official form
- Maryland Statutory Form Personal Financial Power of Attorney (17-202) and Limited Power of Attorney (17-203). Sections 17-202 and 17-203 set the general and limited forms; 17-204 is an optional agent's certification. Open the official form
- Durable after incapacity
- A written power of attorney is durable unless its terms say otherwise (17-105).
"IT IS A DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY ITS TERMS."
Not confirmed on the pages we read: an agent acknowledgment. Check with Estates and Trusts 17-110, Execution of power of attorney (Maryland General Assembly).
Next step
Sign by video with our New Jersey notary while you're in Maryland, 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 Maryland treats it: Maryland recognizes notarial acts performed in another state (State Government §18-210). More on Maryland signers.
If the agent will use it for real estate, ask the title company or the land records office 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 Maryland
In person, we look for a notary commissioned in Maryland near you; you approve the price first.
If a local notary in Maryland does it: $8 per notarial act, under the state's fee rules (Maryland notary fees).
And a health care power of attorney?
No notary is required. Two witnesses; the health care agent can't be one, and at least one must not inherit or otherwise benefit financially. No notary is needed.
"Maryland law does not require this document to be notarized."
Two adult witnesses.
From Maryland Advance Directive, revised May 2024 (Maryland Office of the Attorney General, via Maryland Department of Health). A health care document follows its own signing rule, separate from the financial one.
Official sources
- Estates and Trusts 17-110, Execution of power of attorney (Maryland General Assembly) (checked November 2026)
- Estates and Trusts 17-203, Maryland Statutory Form Limited Power of Attorney (Maryland General Assembly) (checked November 2026)
- Maryland Advance Directive, revised May 2024 (Maryland Office of the Attorney General, via Maryland Department of Health) (checked November 2026)
- 2010 Chapter 689 (HB 659), Maryland General and Limited Power of Attorney Act (Maryland 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 Maryland?
Yes, a notary is required. Acknowledged by the principal before a notary, in person or electronically.
Are witnesses needed for a Maryland power of attorney?
Two witnesses. Two adult witnesses sign in the presence of the principal and each other; the notary may be one of them.
Does a Maryland power of attorney have to be recorded for a house sale?
The act doesn't require recording; it mentions recording only in passing, for example that a clerk may refuse to record a photocopy.
Does a medical power of attorney need a notary in Maryland?
No notary is required. Two witnesses; the health care agent can't be one, and at least one must not inherit or otherwise benefit financially. No notary is needed.
Can I sign a Maryland power of attorney with an online notary?
Our New Jersey notary can notarize it by video while you're in Maryland. Maryland recognizes notarial acts performed in another state (State Government §18-210). Witnesses are required too, so talk to us before booking, or sign in person.
What does a notary charge in Maryland?
$8 per notarial act, 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: Maine · Michigan · every state