Power of attorney (POA) is the legal authority to make decisions for someone else.
A Pennslyvania (PA) power of attorney is a document that lets a Pennsylvania resident choose a person (or “agent”) to make decisions for them. The individual who assigns an agent (known as the “principal”) can revoke the agent’s power of attorney whenever they want.
There are different types of power of attorney in Pennsylvania. To legally appoint somebody as your agent to help you manage your business, property, medical, or other affairs, you must fill out a power of attorney form.
Find your document below.
Pennsylvania (PA) Power of Attorney Documents
Pennsylvania Real Estate Power of Attorney
With a real estate power of attorney, your agent or proxy may act on your behalf for real estate affairs and no other matter.
In the form’s list of powers, sign only against the real estate powers you wish to hand over to your agent, and leave the line beside the other powers blank.
Download: MS Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney
A vehicle or DMV power of attorney gives a trusted third party the authorization to manage your affairs in relation to motor vehicles.
In Pennsylvania, vehicle powers of attorney are “secure” documents, meaning they have certain security features built in. PA state agencies are the sole distributors of the forms. Please contact your vehicle dealer or insurance company to obtain a legal form.
How to Get Power of Attorney in Pennsylvania
To set up a power of attorney, both parties (the agent and principal) fill out and sign a power of attorney form.
Chapter 56 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes governs power of attorney documents in the state of Pennsylvania. All forms available on this page comply with the regulations set forth by this chapter.
Pennsylvania POA Requirements
Although Pennsylvania legislature does not provide a standardized form for residents to use, in order for a power attorney to be valid in Pennsylvania, it must be in writing and adhere to the following strict requirements:
- The power of attorney must contain a:
- Signed and dated “NOTICE” provided in 5601-C
- Signed and dated by “Acknowledgment executed by agent’ provided in 5601-D
- Signature of the principal
- Name of the principal
- Name of the agent(s)
- Description of the powers granted
- Details of when the powers start and finish
- Acknowledgment of a notary public
- Signatures from two witnesses
- Date the document was signed
- If the principal is unable to write out their signature, they may sign using a mark (for example, the letter “X”) or by directing another individual to sign on their behalf.
- If the document is signed using a mark or by another individual, it must be witnessed by two individuals.
- Witnesses must be 18 years or older and may not be the individual who signed the POA on behalf of the principal.
- It is recommended that you use the language outlined in §5602 and §5603 to describe the powers you wish to grant your agent.
- Completed documents (including electronic forms) may be filed with the clerk of the orphans’ court division of the court of common pleas in which the principal resides.
- If the power of attorney authorizes real estate transactions and is acknowledged by a notary public, it should be recorded in the office for the recording deeds in the county in which the principal resides and any counties in which real estate transactions may take place.
If you need to revoke a power of attorney, you can use a revocation of power of attorney form.