Power of Attorney Notary: How, Where, and Why to Get It Done

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a powerful legal document that grants someone else the authority to act on your behalf. Whether for financial, medical, or legal matters, a Power of Attorney must often be notarized to be considered valid especially if it’s going to be used in legal or official transactions.

In this guide, we explain how to notarize a Power of Attorney, where to get it done, how much it costs, and how Notary Public Center can assist you with in-person and online notary services across the United States.

What Is a Power of Attorney and Why Does It Need to Be Notarized?

A Power of Attorney (POA) authorizes someone (the agent) to make decisions or take actions on behalf of another person (the principal). This can include signing documents, managing bank accounts, or making healthcare decisions.

In most cases, for the POA to be legally binding and accepted by banks, hospitals, or government agencies, it must be:

1. Signed voluntarily by the principal
2. Notarized by a certified notary public
3. Possibly witnessed, depending on your state’s requirements

How to Notarize a Power of Attorney

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Prepare the POA document

You can have it drafted by a lawyer or use a template (some states have specific formats).

2. Schedule a notary appointment

This can be done in person, through a mobile notary, or online in states where remote notarization is allowed.

3. Present valid identification

The notary will confirm the principal’s identity.

4. Sign in front of the notary

The principal must sign the POA while the notary is present. ( Not applicable in the case of online notarization).

5. The notary certifies the document.

The notary adds their stamp, signature, and date.

At Notary Public Center, we offer flexible POA notarization options online appointments.

Where to Notarize a Power of Attorney

Depending on your location and preferences, you have several options:

• At a Notary Public Center office
• Online via a remote online notary (if allowed in your state)

If you’re searching for “where to notarize a power of attorney near me”, Notary Public Center can set up a virtual session if your state allows.

Do You Need a Notary for a Power of Attorney?

In most states, yes. A notarized POA:

• Confirms the identity and intent of the signer
• Makes the document legally valid for use in financial institutions, courts, and other entities
• Protects against fraud or disputes
• Without notarization, many organizations will not accept the POA even if it’s legally valid under state law.

Online Notary for Power of Attorney

Many states now allow remote online notarization (RON). This means you can:

• Connect with a notary via video call or other on line identity verification methods
• Sign and notarize your POA document electronically
• Receive the notarized PDF instantly

This is a great option if you’re traveling, live abroad, or need to notarize a document quickly.

At Notary Public Center, we provide secure online notary services for POAs and other legal documents in states where this is permitted.

Cost to Notarize a Power of Attorney

Prices vary based on location and service type:

Notary Public Center offers competitive pricing and bundled services if you also need translation or apostille processing.