Short answer. A notary or witnesses.
At a glance
- Uniform act
- RCW 11.125.010: chapter 209, Laws of 2016 may be cited as the uniform power of attorney act.
- Notary
- Signed and dated by the principal, then notarized or attested by two witnesses.
- Witnesses
- Two witnesses as the alternative to a notary. They can't be the principal's home care or facility care providers, or related to the principal or agent.
- Agent's acknowledgment
- An agent accepts by acting or other conduct showing acceptance.
- Official form
- The chapter has no statutory power of attorney form, only an optional agent's certification (RCW 11.125.430).
- Recording for real estate
- The chapter doesn't require recording a power of attorney to convey real property.
- Durable
- Not durable unless the writing says it survives incapacity.
- Healthcare document
- The same chapter covers health care decisions, so a health care power of attorney under it is signed the same way: notary or two qualified witnesses.
In the official wording
Witnesses
"unrelated to the principal or agent by blood, marriage, or state registered domestic partnership."
Agent
"by exercising authority or performing duties as an agent."
Recording
"filing notice with the county recorder's office in the county where the principal resides."
Durability
"This power of attorney shall not be affected by disability of the principal."
Healthcare
"authorized to provide informed consent for health care decisions on the principal's behalf."
Signing-day steps
- Statutory form: not required
- Notary or witnesses: your choice of two
- Witnesses: your choice of two
- Agent's acknowledgment: not required
- Recording for real estate: not required
- Durable after incapacity: required
Full checklist with the reasons: financial · healthcare.
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
- Chapter 11.125 RCW, Uniform Power of Attorney Act (Washington State Legislature) (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 Washington?
A notary or witnesses. Signed and dated by the principal, then notarized or attested by two witnesses.
How many witnesses does a Washington power of attorney need?
Two witnesses as the alternative to a notary. They can't be the principal's home care or facility care providers, or related to the principal or agent.
Does the agent have to sign anything in Washington?
Not before acting. An agent accepts by acting or other conduct showing acceptance.
Must a Washington power of attorney be recorded to sell or mortgage real estate?
The chapter doesn't require recording a power of attorney to convey real property.
Is a Washington power of attorney durable?
Only if it says so. Not durable unless the writing says it survives incapacity.
How is a healthcare power of attorney signed in Washington?
The same chapter covers health care decisions, so a health care power of attorney under it is signed the same way: notary or two qualified witnesses.
All states: power of attorney requirements by state · South Carolina · West Virginia · Signing a healthcare proxy or medical power of attorney