Not required, but recommended.
A signature is presumed genuine if acknowledged before a notary; the section doesn't make notarization a condition of validity. To be recordable it must meet 55.1-600.
In the official wording
"in order to be recordable shall satisfy the requirements of § 55.1-600."
From the official pages listed below, checked November 2026.
What else the signing needs
- Witnesses
- None under the execution rule we read. The execution section doesn't mention witnesses.
"signed by the principal"
- Agent's acknowledgment
- An agent accepts by acting or other conduct showing acceptance.
"Unless the power of attorney provides otherwise, a person accepts appointment as an agent by acting"
- Recording for real estate
- The chapter has no separate real estate recording rule; to be recordable a power of attorney must satisfy 55.1-600.
"in order to be recordable shall satisfy the requirements of § 55.1-600."
- Official form
- The chapter's form (64.2-1639) is an agent's certification, not a power of attorney form.
- Durable after incapacity
- Durable unless it expressly says otherwise.
Next step
Sign by video with our New Jersey notary while you're in Virginia, 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 Virginia treats it: Virginia recognizes notarial acts from other states on paper or electronic documents (Va. Code §47.1-13.1). More on Virginia signers.
If the agent will use it for real estate, ask the title company or the circuit court clerk before you sign.
Book an online notarization Request a mobile notary in Virginia
In person, we look for a notary commissioned in Virginia near you; you approve the price first.
If a local notary in Virginia does it: Acknowledgment, oath, affidavit certification or true-copy certification (statutory maximum), $10, under the state's fee rules (Virginia notary fees).
And a health care power of attorney?
Witnesses; the rule we read doesn't mention a notary. A written advance directive is signed before two subscribing witnesses; the section doesn't mention a notary.
"A written advance directive shall be signed by the declarant in the presence of two subscribing witnesses"
Two adult witnesses.
From Va. Code 54.1-2983, Procedure for making advance directive (Virginia Law). A health care document follows its own signing rule, separate from the financial one.
Official sources
- Code of Virginia Title 64.2, Chapter 16, Uniform Power of Attorney Act (Virginia Law) (checked November 2026)
- Uniform Power of Attorney Act, popular name table (Virginia Law) (checked November 2026)
- Va. Code 54.1-2983, Procedure for making advance directive (Virginia Law) (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 Virginia?
Not required, but recommended. A signature is presumed genuine if acknowledged before a notary; the section doesn't make notarization a condition of validity. To be recordable it must meet 55.1-600.
Are witnesses needed for a Virginia power of attorney?
None under the execution rule we read. The execution section doesn't mention witnesses.
Does the agent sign anything in Virginia?
An agent accepts by acting or other conduct showing acceptance.
Does a Virginia power of attorney have to be recorded for a house sale?
The chapter has no separate real estate recording rule; to be recordable a power of attorney must satisfy 55.1-600.
Does a medical power of attorney need a notary in Virginia?
Witnesses; the rule we read doesn't mention a notary. A written advance directive is signed before two subscribing witnesses; the section doesn't mention a notary.
Can I sign a Virginia power of attorney with an online notary?
Our New Jersey notary can notarize it by video while you're in Virginia. Virginia recognizes notarial acts from other states on paper or electronic documents (Va. Code §47.1-13.1).
Keep going
A power of attorney in another state: Vermont · Washington · every state