Power of attorney (POA) is the legal authority to make decisions on behalf of another person. A power of attorney form is the document that gives this authority.
The person who assigns power of attorney is called the “principal,” and the person who is appointed to make decisions is the “agent.”
Depending on the type of power of attorney, the agent can make decisions for the principal about finances, medicine, vehicles, and more.
Find your specific North Carolina (NC) power of attorney form below.
North Carolina (NC) Power of Attorney Documents
North Carolina DMV Power of Attorney
To give an agent legal authority to manage affairs relating exclusively to vehicles, you should set up a DMV power of attorney.
Download: Adobe PDF
North Carolina Power of Attorney for Care of Minor Child
If your child is younger than 18 years and you wish to nominate another person to assume temporary parental responsibility for matters pertaining to medical care of the child, you should use a North Carolina power of attorney for the care of a minor child.
How to Get Power of Attorney in North Carolina
To get power of attorney, the principal and the designated agent both need to fill out a power of attorney form according to North Carolina requirements.
In North Carolina, powers of attorney for property and financial affairs are regulated by the North Carolina Uniform Power of Attorney Act.
Powers of attorney for health care decisions must be created according to the North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 32A, Article 3.
All the forms provided on this page comply with North Carolina laws.
North Carolina POA Requirements
North Carolina law requires the following for a power of attorney form to be valid:
- The principal (or another individual, in the conscious presence of the principal) must sign the POA document.
- The principal must acknowledge their signature in front of a notary public.
- The POA document must include the following information:
- The names, signatures, and contact information of the principal and agent(s)
- What powers are granted to the agent
- When the agent’s powers go into effect (if not specified, they will take effect upon signing)
- When the agent’s powers expire (if the power of attorney is not durable)
If you choose to designate multiple co-agents, you should indicate whether they will act together to make decisions on your behalf or have separate powers.
In North Carolina, powers of attorney are presumed durable unless the document specifies that the agent’s powers are revoked if the principal becomes incapacitated.