Yes, a notary is required.
The principal's signature is acknowledged the way a deed's is, before a notary.
In the official wording
"duly acknowledged in the manner prescribed for the acknowledgment of a conveyance of real property"
From the official pages listed below, checked November 2026.
What else the signing needs
- Witnesses
- Two witnesses. Two witnesses who aren't agents or permitted gift recipients; the person taking the acknowledgment may be one of them.
- Agent's acknowledgment
- Each agent signs and dates it, with an acknowledged signature; the agent can act only from that date.
"duly acknowledged in the manner prescribed for the acknowledgment of a conveyance of real property"
- Official form
- Power of Attorney New York Statutory Short Form. GOL 5-1513 sets the form, with the caution to the principal and the agent's signature and acknowledgment section. Open the official form
- Durable after incapacity
- The statutory short form isn't affected by later incapacity unless the principal changes that under Modifications.
"This POWER OF ATTORNEY shall not be affected by my subsequent incapacity"
Not confirmed on the pages we read: recording for real estate. Check with General Obligations Law 5-1501B, Creation of a valid power of attorney (NY Senate).
Next step
Sign by video with our New Jersey notary while you're in New York, 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 New York treats it: The state amended Real Property Law §299-a in 2024 so that a certificate of conformity is no longer required when a notary in another state takes an acknowledgment. More on New York signers.
If the agent will use it for real estate, ask the title company or the county clerk 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 New York
In person, we look for a notary commissioned in New York near you; you approve the price first.
If a local notary in New York does it: Acknowledgment or proof of execution of a written instrument, first person, $2; Acknowledgment or proof, each additional person, $2, under the state's fee rules (New York notary fees).
And a health care power of attorney?
No notary is required. A health care proxy is signed and dated before two adult witnesses who also sign; the agent can't witness. No notary is required by the section.
"signed and dated by the adult in the presence of two adult witnesses who shall also sign the proxy."
Two adult witnesses.
From Public Health Law 2981, Appointment of health care agent; health care proxy (NY Senate). A health care document follows its own signing rule, separate from the financial one.
Official sources
- General Obligations Law 5-1501B, Creation of a valid power of attorney (NY Senate) (checked November 2026)
- General Obligations Law 5-1513, Statutory short form power of attorney (NY Senate) (checked November 2026)
- Public Health Law 2981, Appointment of health care agent; health care proxy (NY Senate) (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 New York?
Yes, a notary is required. The principal's signature is acknowledged the way a deed's is, before a notary.
Are witnesses needed for a New York power of attorney?
Two witnesses. Two witnesses who aren't agents or permitted gift recipients; the person taking the acknowledgment may be one of them.
Does the agent sign anything in New York?
Each agent signs and dates it, with an acknowledged signature; the agent can act only from that date.
Does a medical power of attorney need a notary in New York?
No notary is required. A health care proxy is signed and dated before two adult witnesses who also sign; the agent can't witness. No notary is required by the section.
Can I sign a New York power of attorney with an online notary?
Our New Jersey notary can notarize it by video while you're in New York. New York amended Real Property Law §299-a in 2024 so that a certificate of conformity is no longer required when a notary in another state takes an acknowledgment. Witnesses are required too, so talk to us before booking, or sign in person.
What does a notary charge in New York?
$2 for an oath or an acknowledgment, under the state's fee rules. A mobile notary may add a travel fee; ask for the total first.
Keep going
- New York power of attorney signing requirements
- Signing checklist
- Power of attorney rules in every state
- A will in New York
- A small estate affidavit in New York
A power of attorney in another state: New Mexico · North Carolina · every state