Does a power of attorney need to be notarized, and can you actually handle it with an online notary? In most states, yes to both. a POA typically requires notarization to be valid, and you can complete that step through a live video session – uploading the document, verifying your identity, and signing in front of a commissioned notary in about 10 minutes. A few states also require witnesses in addition to or instead of notarization, which this guide breaks down state by state.
Does a Power of Attorney Need to Be Notarized?
In most states, yes – a power of attorney generally needs notarization to be legally valid and accepted by banks, hospitals, and title companies. Requirements vary by state and POA type. some states require notarization for every POA, others allow witnesses as an alternative, and a smaller group require both a notary and witnesses, particularly for healthcare powers of attorney.
Even in states that don’t strictly require it, notarizing your POA strengthens its legal standing and makes it far more likely to be accepted without pushback by a bank, hospital, or financial institution – which is often the real-world test a POA has to pass.
How Do You Notarize a Power of Attorney Online?
To notarize a POA with an online notary, you upload the document, verify your identity, join a live video session with a commissioned notary, sign while they witness electronically, and receive the completed, sealed file – typically in about 10 minutes from start to finish.
- Upload your power of attorney document. BlueNotary accepts PDF, Word, and image files.
- Verify your identity. A government ID scan plus a knowledge-based or biometric check confirms who you are.
- Join a live video session. A commissioned notary reviews your document and ID in real time.
- Sign on camera. The notary witnesses your signature live, satisfying the notarization requirement.
- Receive your notarized document. A tamper-evident digital certificate is applied and returned immediately.
Does Your State Require Witnesses for a Power of Attorney?
Witness requirements for a power of attorney vary significantly by state. some require notarization alone, some require two witnesses in addition to notarization, and a handful let you choose either method. Florida notably allows an online notary to supervise remote witnessing over live video under Fla. Stat. § 117.285, meaning witnesses don’t have to be in the same room as the signer.
| Requirement Type | What It Means | Example States |
| Notarization only | A notary’s acknowledgment is sufficient; no separate witnesses required | Most states, for general/financial POAs, including Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, and Utah |
| Notarization AND witnesses | Both a notary and (typically two) independent witnesses are required | Florida, Maryland; North Carolina (healthcare POA) |
| Notarization OR witnesses | Either a notary’s acknowledgment or two witnesses satisfies the requirement – not both | California, Michigan, South Dakota, Washington |
If your POA involves healthcare decisions specifically, check your state’s rules separately; healthcare POAs often carry stricter witness requirements than financial ones, and some states disqualify relatives or care providers from serving as a witness. If you need witnesses, BlueNotary lets you bring your own for free or add a BlueNotary witness for $10.
What Happens If Your POA Grants Real Estate Authority?
If your power of attorney gives your agent authority over real estate – to sell, refinance, or manage property on your behalf – you should have it notarized regardless of whether your state technically allows witnesses as an alternative. Property records offices and title companies generally require a notarized POA before recording any transaction tied to it.
This is also where using a proper legal template matters. an improperly worded real-estate authority clause is one of the more common reasons a bank or title company rejects an otherwise validly-signed POA.
BlueNotary’s Durable Power of Attorney template is built to include the sections institutions typically look for, including real estate authority language, before you notarize.
How Much Does It Cost to Notarize a POA Online?
BlueNotary, an online notarization platform, charges $25 for one signer and one stamp. Each additional stamp is $8 and each additional signer is $5. A power of attorney usually has one signer, so $25 is the typical price, and the page count does not change it. Sessions typically take about 10 minutes.
For volume needs or business accounts managing POAs for multiple clients, the pricing page lists the plans. Business Pro costs $47 per seat per month for teams that use their own notaries, with $10 sessions and $0 for additional stamps.
For a single POA, remote online notarization is generally the fastest and most predictable option, since the $25 rate doesn’t change based on timing or urgency.
Have a question about a document in another language? Email BlueNotary at [email protected] and the team will help.
FAQ Section
1. Does a power of attorney need to be notarized?
In most states, yes. Some states allow witnesses as an alternative, and a few require both notarization and witnesses, especially for healthcare POAs.
2. Can you notarize a power of attorney with an online notary?
Yes, in states that authorize remote online notarization. The process typically takes about 10 minutes, including identity verification.
3. Does my state require witnesses in addition to a notary?
It depends on your state. Florida and Maryland require both for a general POA (North Carolina for healthcare POAs); California, Michigan, South Dakota, and Washington allow either notarization or witnesses; Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, and Utah require notarization only.
4. Can witnesses appear remotely for an online notarization?
In some states, yes. Florida, for example, allows an online notary to supervise remote witnessing over live video under Fla. Stat. § 117.285.
5. Do I need to notarize a POA that covers real estate?
Yes, generally. Property and title offices typically require a notarized power of attorney before recording any real estate transaction tied to it.
6. How much does it cost to notarize a power of attorney online?
BlueNotary charges $25 for one signer and one stamp, plus $8 for each additional stamp and $5 for each additional signer. Bring your own witnesses for free, or use a BlueNotary witness for $10 each. Sessions typically take about 10 minutes.
