Short answer. A notary is required; no witnesses under the execution rule; the agent signs an acknowledgment before acting.
At a glance
- Notary
- On the statutory short form, the principal's signature must be acknowledged.
- Witnesses
- The statutory short form's requirements don't mention witnesses.
- Agent's acknowledgment
- Before acting, each agent signs the statutory short form, acknowledging the notice to agents; that signature needn't be notarized.
- Official form
- Statutory short form of general power of attorney (Minn. Stat. 523.23). Section 523.23 sets the form and its formal requirements. Open it
- Recording for real estate
- When the agent signs a recordable instrument, the power of attorney is also recordable if authenticated.
- Durable
- Durable only with language such as the statute's sample sentence.
- Healthcare document
- Verified by a notary or by witnesses. The agent can't witness or notarize, and at least one witness must not be a provider giving direct care.
In the official wording
Notary
"the signature of the principal must be acknowledged."
Agent
"Before acting on behalf of the principal, the attorney(s)-in-fact must sign this form"
Recording
"are also recordable"
Durability
"This power of attorney shall not be affected by incapacity or incompetence of the principal"
Healthcare
"either by a notary public or by witnesses as provided under this chapter"
Signing-day steps
- Statutory form: recommended or optional
- Notary: required
- Witnesses: not required
- Agent's acknowledgment: required
- Recording for real estate: recommended or optional
- Durable after incapacity: required
Full checklist with the reasons: financial · healthcare.
Not stated on the pages we read: uniform act status.
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
- Minnesota Statutes 2025, chapter 523, Powers of Attorney (Minnesota Revisor of Statutes) (checked November 2026)
- Minn. Stat. 145C.03, Requirements for a health care directive (Minnesota Revisor of Statutes) (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 Minnesota?
Yes. On the statutory short form, the principal's signature must be acknowledged.
How many witnesses does a Minnesota power of attorney need?
None under the execution rule we read. The statutory short form's requirements don't mention witnesses.
Does the agent have to sign anything in Minnesota?
Yes. Before acting, each agent signs the statutory short form, acknowledging the notice to agents; that signature needn't be notarized.
Must a Minnesota power of attorney be recorded to sell or mortgage real estate?
When the agent signs a recordable instrument, the power of attorney is also recordable if authenticated.
Is a Minnesota power of attorney durable?
Only if it says so. Durable only with language such as the statute's sample sentence.
How is a healthcare power of attorney signed in Minnesota?
Verified by a notary or by witnesses. The agent can't witness or notarize, and at least one witness must not be a provider giving direct care.
All states: power of attorney requirements by state · Michigan · Nevada · Signing a healthcare proxy or medical power of attorney