Short answer. Notarizing is recommended, not required; 2 witnesses.
At a glance
- Uniform act
- Public Act 15-240 adopted the Connecticut Uniform Power of Attorney Act; Public Act 16-40 moved its start to October 1, 2016.
- Notary
- The probate courts' summary says acknowledging isn't a requirement, though it matters when a bank or other third party is asked to accept the power of attorney; the statutory forms include an acknowledgment.
- Witnesses
- Dated and signed by the principal and witnessed by two witnesses.
- Official form
- Connecticut statutory short form and long form power of attorney. Public Act 16-40 added a short form with some of the long form's powers, meant for a limited purpose such as a real estate closing. Open it
- Durable
- Durable unless the document says incapacity ends it.
- Healthcare document
- An advance directive is signed before two witnesses; the health care representative can't be one. A notary is needed only for the optional witnesses' affidavit.
In the official wording
Notary
"While not a requirement, the POA may also be acknowledged."
Witnesses
"witnessed by two witnesses"
Durability
"is durable, unless the instrument specifically provides that it is terminated by the incapacity of the principal"
Healthcare
"You must sign the document in the presence of two witnesses in order for the advance directives to be valid."
Signing-day steps
- Statutory form: recommended or optional
- Notary: recommended or optional
- Witnesses: required
- Agent's acknowledgment: not confirmed
- Recording for real estate: not confirmed
Full checklist with the reasons: financial · healthcare.
Worth knowing
Under the act, an agent may make gifts or create trusts only if the power of attorney expressly grants that authority.
Not stated on the pages we read: an agent acknowledgment, recording for real estate.
Signing in New Jersey? MCC Solutions provides mobile notarization, hospital notarization and remote online notarization for New Jersey signers. Elsewhere, a local notary can help.
Official sources
- 2015 Legislative Summary, Public Act 15-240 (Connecticut Office of the Probate Court Administrator) (checked November 2026)
- 2016 Legislative Summary, Public Act 16-40 (Connecticut Office of the Probate Court Administrator) (checked November 2026)
- Connecticut Advance Directives: Planning for Future Health Care Decisions (Connecticut Department of Social Services, Pub. 06-14) (checked November 2026)
General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Have a lawyer prepare or review the power of attorney itself.
Common questions
Does a power of attorney have to be notarized in Connecticut?
It isn't a condition of validity. The probate courts' summary says acknowledging isn't a requirement, though it matters when a bank or other third party is asked to accept the power of attorney; the statutory forms include an acknowledgment.
How many witnesses does a Connecticut power of attorney need?
Dated and signed by the principal and witnessed by two witnesses.
Is a Connecticut power of attorney durable?
Yes, by default. Durable unless the document says incapacity ends it.
How is a healthcare power of attorney signed in Connecticut?
An advance directive is signed before two witnesses; the health care representative can't be one. A notary is needed only for the optional witnesses' affidavit.
Is there an official power of attorney form in Connecticut?
Yes. Connecticut statutory short form and long form power of attorney. Public Act 16-40 added a short form with some of the long form's powers, meant for a limited purpose such as a real estate closing.
All states: power of attorney requirements by state · Florida · Signing a healthcare proxy or medical power of attorney