A notary or witnesses.
To be durable: acknowledged before a notary, or signed before two witnesses who also sign.
In the official wording
"Be acknowledged by the principal before a notary public or other individual authorized to take acknowledgments."
From the official pages listed below, checked November 2026.
What else the signing needs
- Witnesses
- Instead of a notary: Two witnesses as the alternative to a notary. A witness can't be an agent named in it; a witness may also be the notary.
"A witness may not be an agent nominated in the power."
- Agent's acknowledgment
- Before acting under a durable power of attorney, the agent signs an acknowledgment of duties, substantially in the statute's form (MCL 556.402).
"Before exercising authority under a durable power of attorney, an agent shall execute an acknowledgment"
- Recording for real estate
- The act has no recording requirement; a power to convey real property doesn't need the legal description.
"does not need to contain the real property's legal description."
- Official form
- Statutory form power of attorney (MCL 556.401). Section 301 of the act sets out a statutory form. Open the official form
- Durable after incapacity
- Durable if executed with a notary or two witnesses, unless it says incapacity ends it.
"is durable unless it expressly provides that it is terminated by the incapacity of the principal."
Next step
Sign by video with our New Jersey notary while you're in Michigan, 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 Michigan treats it: Michigan gives a notarial act performed in another state the same effect (MCL 55.285a). More on Michigan signers.
If the agent will use it for real estate, ask the title company or the register of deeds before you sign.
The notary route means no witnesses are needed for that part; the witness route needs no notary.
Book an online notarization Request a mobile notary in Michigan
In person, we look for a notary commissioned in Michigan near you; you approve the price first.
If a local notary in Michigan does it: Up to $10 for each notarial act, under the state's fee rules (Michigan notary fees).
And a health care power of attorney?
Witnesses; the rule we read doesn't mention a notary. A patient advocate designation is signed, dated and witnessed by two people; close relatives, heirs and the physician can't witness.
"in writing, signed, dated, witnessed by two people, and executed voluntarily."
Two adult witnesses.
From Uniform Power of Attorney Act, Act 187 of 2023 (Michigan Legislature) · Planning for Your Peace of Mind (Michigan Legislature, revised 12/2025). A health care document follows its own signing rule, separate from the financial one.
Official sources
- Uniform Power of Attorney Act, Act 187 of 2023 (Michigan Legislature) (checked November 2026)
- Planning for Your Peace of Mind (Michigan Legislature, revised 12/2025) (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 Michigan?
A notary or witnesses. To be durable: acknowledged before a notary, or signed before two witnesses who also sign.
Are witnesses needed for a Michigan power of attorney?
Instead of a notary: Two witnesses as the alternative to a notary. A witness can't be an agent named in it; a witness may also be the notary.
Does the agent sign anything in Michigan?
Before acting under a durable power of attorney, the agent signs an acknowledgment of duties, substantially in the statute's form (MCL 556.402).
Does a Michigan power of attorney have to be recorded for a house sale?
The act has no recording requirement; a power to convey real property doesn't need the legal description.
Does a medical power of attorney need a notary in Michigan?
Witnesses; the rule we read doesn't mention a notary. A patient advocate designation is signed, dated and witnessed by two people; close relatives, heirs and the physician can't witness.
Can I sign a Michigan power of attorney with an online notary?
Our New Jersey notary can notarize it by video while you're in Michigan. Michigan gives a notarial act performed in another state the same effect (MCL 55.285a).
Keep going
- Michigan power of attorney signing requirements
- Signing checklist
- Power of attorney rules in every state
- A will in Michigan
- A small estate affidavit in Michigan
A power of attorney in another state: Maryland · Minnesota · every state