--- title: "Maryland Power of Attorney Signing Requirements | MCC" description: "Maryland power of attorney: A notary is required; 2 witnesses. From the state's own pages." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/power-of-attorney-requirements-maryland" --- Power of attorney · Maryland # Maryland power of attorney signing requirements How a power of attorney is signed under this state's law: the notary, the witnesses, what the agent signs, recording for real estate and the healthcare document. ✓ New Jersey commissioned notary, no. 50244803, insured for errors and omissions. [See the credentials](/about/credentials) **Short answer.** A notary is required; 2 witnesses. ## At a glance Uniform act Maryland's law is its own Maryland General and Limited Power of Attorney Act (Estates and Trusts 17-116). Notary Acknowledged by the principal before a notary, in person or electronically. Witnesses Two adult witnesses sign in the presence of the principal and each other; the notary may be one of them. Agent's acknowledgment The statutory forms (17-202 general and 17-203 limited, as amended in 2023) have no agent signature or acceptance block; the agent signs as agent when acting. 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 it](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2010rs/chapters_noln/Ch_689_hb0659E.pdf) 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. Durable A written power of attorney is durable unless its terms say otherwise (17-105). Healthcare document 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. ## In the official wording **Notary** Need this notarized? [Online notarization for signers in Maryland](/notary/online-notary/maryland). "Acknowledged by the principal in the physical or electronic presence of a notary public." **Witnesses** "Attested and signed by two or more adult witnesses." **Agent** "(Principal's Name) by (Your Signature) as Agent" **Durability** "IT IS A DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY ITS TERMS." **Healthcare** "Maryland law does not require this document to be notarized." ## Get it notarized online today Online notary: open now until 9 PM ET · sessions by appointment · times confirmed by email A New Jersey notary can notarize this with you on a video call, wherever you are in the U.S. $50 for the session, $10 for each extra signer. Any other fee shows in the booking form before you confirm. Open 7 am to 9 pm ET, every day, by appointment. **What you need** - A valid government photo ID - A computer or phone with a camera - The unsigned document [Book an online session](/notary/?service=ron#order) Our certificate states the act was performed using communication technology, as New Jersey law requires. [What it must say](/notary/remote-online-notarization-certificate-wording) Most U.S. recipients accept a remotely notarized document; check with whoever will receive it. [What to ask them](/notary/will-my-online-notarization-be-accepted) · [Several signers](/notary/online-notarization-multiple-signers) ## Signing-day steps - **Statutory form:** recommended or optional - **Notary:** required - **Witnesses:** required - **Agent's acknowledgment:** not required - **Recording for real estate:** not required Full checklist with the reasons: [financial](/notary/power-of-attorney-signing-checklist?state=md&type=financial) · [healthcare](/notary/power-of-attorney-signing-checklist?state=md&type=healthcare). ## Worth knowing These rules apply to a power of attorney executed on or after October 1, 2010. Signing in New Jersey? MCC Solutions provides [mobile notarization](/notary/mobile-notary), [hospital notarization](/notary/hospital-notary) and [remote online notarization](/notary/remote-online-notarization) for New Jersey signers. Elsewhere, a local notary can help. ## Official sources - [Estates and Trusts 17-110, Execution of power of attorney (Maryland General Assembly)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/laws/StatuteText?article=get§ion=17-110) (checked November 2026) - [Estates and Trusts 17-203, Maryland Statutory Form Limited Power of Attorney (Maryland General Assembly)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2022RS/Statute_Web/get/17-203.pdf) (checked November 2026) - [Maryland Advance Directive, revised May 2024 (Maryland Office of the Attorney General, via Maryland Department of Health)](https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/ccdb/ADP/Documents/advance%20directive%20form%20-%20fillable%20pdf%2052025.pdf) (checked November 2026) - [2010 Chapter 689 (HB 659), Maryland General and Limited Power of Attorney Act (Maryland General Assembly)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2010rs/chapters_noln/Ch_689_hb0659E.pdf) (checked November 2026) - [Estates and Trusts 17-202, Statutory form personal financial power of attorney (Maryland General Assembly)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2020RS/Statute_Google/get/17-202.pdf) (checked November 2026) - [2023 Laws of Maryland Chapter 696 (HB 18), amending 17-202 and 17-203 (Maryland General Assembly)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2023RS/chapters_noln/Ch_696_hb0018T.pdf) (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 Maryland?** Yes. Acknowledged by the principal before a notary, in person or electronically. **How many witnesses does a Maryland power of attorney need?** Two adult witnesses sign in the presence of the principal and each other; the notary may be one of them. **Does the agent have to sign anything in Maryland?** Not before acting. The statutory forms (17-202 general and 17-203 limited, as amended in 2023) have no agent signature or acceptance block; the agent signs as agent when acting. **Must a Maryland power of attorney be recorded to sell or mortgage 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. **Is a Maryland power of attorney durable?** Yes, by default. A written power of attorney is durable unless its terms say otherwise (17-105). **How is a healthcare power of attorney signed in Maryland?** 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. All states: [power of attorney requirements by state](/notary/power-of-attorney-requirements-by-state) · [Maine](/notary/power-of-attorney-requirements-maine) · [Michigan](/notary/power-of-attorney-requirements-michigan) · [Signing a healthcare proxy or medical power of attorney](/notary/guides/healthcare-proxy-and-medical-poa-signing) Do it yourself ### Maryland Power of Attorney Signing Kit Get your Maryland power of attorney signed the way the state's own law describes. Acknowledged by the principal before a notary, in person or electronically. [See what's inside ($19)](/toolkits/maryland-power-of-attorney-signing-kit) [Free sample](/toolkits/maryland-power-of-attorney-signing-kit#free-starter)14-day full refund ## Signing a power of attorney in New Jersey? [Book a mobile notary](/notary/mobile-notary)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)