• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Legal Templates

Legal Templates
  • Business Forms
    • Business Formation
      • LLC Operating Agreement
      • Articles of Incorporation
      • Shareholder Agreement
      • Partnership Agreement
      • Business Purchase Agreement
      • Joint Venture Agreement
      • Single-Member LLC Operating Agreement
    • Business Operations
      • Letter of Intent
      • Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
      • Non-Compete Agreement
      • Invoice Template
      • Purchase Order
      • Hold Harmless Agreement
      • Release of Liability Form (Waiver)
      • Buy-Sell Agreement
      • Construction Contract
      • Licensing Agreement
    • Employment
      • Independent Contractor Agreement
      • Employment Contract
      • Freelance Contract
      • Leave of Absence Letter
      • Leave of Absence Agreement
      • Resignation Letter
    • Cease and Desist Letter
      • Copyright Infringement
      • Debt Collection
      • Defamation
      • Harassment
      • Trademark Infringement
  • Real Estate Forms
    • Lease Agreements
      • Lease/Rental Agreement
      • Sublease Agreement
      • Room Rental Agreement
      • Month-to-Month Lease Agreement
      • Commercial Lease Agreement
      • Short Term Lease Agreement
      • Land Lease Agreement
      • Lease Renewal
      • Lease Amendment
    • Lease Termination Letter
      • Eviction Notice
      • Notice to Vacate
      • Early Lease Termination Letter
      • Late Rent Notice
    • Deeds & Property
      • Warranty Deed
      • Mortgage Deed
      • Quitclaim Deed
      • Deed of Trust
      • Mechanic’s Lien
      • Property Management Agreement
    • Rental Application
    • Real Estate Purchase Agreement
    • Employment Verification Letter
  • Estate Planning Forms
    • Power of Attorney
      • Medical Power of Attorney
      • Durable Power of Attorney
      • Revocation of Power of Attorney
    • Wills
      • Living Will
      • Last Will and Testament
      • Codicil to Will
    • Advance Directive
    • Living Trust
    • DNR Form
  • Finance Forms
    • Loans
      • Promissory Note
      • Loan Agreement
      • IOU
      • Demand For Payment Letter
    • Bill of Sale
      • Vehicle Bill of Sale
      • Boat Bill of Sale
      • Firearm Bill of Sale
      • Horse Bill of Sale
      • Trailer Bill of Sale
    • Sales & Purchases
      • Sales Agreement
      • Purchase Agreement
      • Gift Affidavit
      • Stock Purchase Agreement
  • Personal/Family Forms
    • Affidavits
      • Affidavit of Death
      • Affidavit of Domicile
      • Affidavit of Heirship
      • Affidavit of Identity
      • Affidavit of Residence
      • Affidavit of Service
      • Affidavit of Title
      • Financial Affidavit
      • Gift Affidavit
      • Small Estate Affidavit
    • Marriage
      • Divorce Agreement
      • Prenuptial Agreement
      • Cohabitation Agreement
      • Separation Agreement
      • Postnuptial Agreement
    • Child & Pet Forms
      • Child Medical Consent
      • Child Travel Consent Form
      • Child Custody Agreement
      • Pet Care Agreement
    • Medical Records Release Form
  • Resources
    • All Legal Documents
    • Article Categories
      • Business
      • Estate Planning
      • Financial
      • Personal & Family
      • Real Estate
  • Help
    • Email Us
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
  • Sign In
  • :email
    • Dashboard Home
    • My Account
    • My Billing History
    • Sign Out
  • Help
    • Contact Us
    • Email Us
    • About Us
    • (855) 335-9779 Monday-Friday, 10AM - 6PM EDT
  • Sign In
  • :email
    • Dashboard Home
    • My Account
    • My Billing History
    • Sign Out

Home Resources Estate Planning How to Sign as Power of Attorney

How to Sign as Power of Attorney

Mollie Moric

Published December 20, 2019 | Written by Mollie Moric

When someone gives you power of attorney (POA), you’re legally able to sign legal documents on their behalf if necessary. However, signing as power of attorney isn’t as simple as writing down both of your names. For a power of attorney signature to be valid, you must take the proper steps.

Read on to learn how to sign as power of attorney correctly, so you don’t encounter any issues if you need to sign documents on someone’s behalf.

Is your power of attorney valid? Avoid common mistakes to ensure you don’t end up with a powerless power of attorney.

What Is a Power of Attorney?

A power of attorney is a document that creates a legally binding agreement between two parties — a principal and an attorney-in-fact.

A power of attorney form grants an attorney-in-fact the right to:

  • access the principal’s financial accounts
  • sign legal documents on the principal’s behalf
  • manage the principal’s legal and business affairs

As an attorney-in-fact, you must act in the principal’s best interest, and adhere to their wishes when signing documents for them. This means doing what the principal would want you to do, no matter what.

A durable power of attorney form remains effective if you become incapacitated and unable to communicate your wishes.

Related Resource: What is Power of Attorney

If loved ones suspect an agent isn’t acting in the principal’s best interests, they can take steps to override the power of attorney designation.

6 Steps for Signing as Power of Attorney

Acting as someone’s attorney-in-fact can feel a bit complicated. Follow these steps to ensure the process runs smoothly, and meets legal requirements:

Step 1: Bring Your Power of Attorney Agreement and ID

When signing as a POA, you need to bring the original power of attorney form to the meeting — even if you’ve already registered a copy of the document with the institution (such as a bank, financial agency, or a government institution).

You also need to bring government-issued photo identification with you. This allows the institution to confirm that you’re the person named in the agreement, and let’s them verify the signature on the power of attorney is yours.

Step 2: Determine the Preferred Signature Format

Most agencies or institutions require a specific format when signing under power of attorney. Consider calling ahead to establish what format is preferred — if any.

If there’s no preference, use a standard format such as the one in the power of attorney signature sample below:

[Principal’s name]
by [Your name]
Power of attorney

Designating power of attorney is a difficult decision. Learn how to prevent arguments over power of attorney in your family once you’ve made your choice.

Step 3: Sign as the Principal

The proper way to sign as power of attorney is to first write the principal’s signature. This shows that you’re acting on the principal’s behalf, and not your own.

And remember to use the principal’s full legal name. If you see their name listed on any pre-existing paperwork at the institution, be sure to replicate its format.

Step 4: Sign Your Own Name

Sign your name below the principal’s name. Simply add the word “by” in front of your name to indicate you’re signing as POA on the principal’s behalf.

A power of attorney isn’t the only document you should have in your estate plan. Consider writing a will to allocate your possessions to loved ones.

Step 5: Express Your Authority as Attorney-in-Fact

Below your own name is where you make it clear that you have the authority to sign on the principal’s behalf. To indicate that you’ve been given power of attorney for signing authority, write “attorney-in-fact” under your name. Other variations are also acceptable to write out, like POA, or “power of attorney.”

Failing to indicate that you’re signing on the principal’s behalf can invalidate the agreement, and even lead to civil or criminal lawsuits.

Here’s a sample of what a power of attorney signature should look like:

power of attorney signature sample

Step 6: File the Documentation Somewhere Safe

The final step is to make sure you file each document you’ve signed as power of attorney in a secure location.

It can be difficult to know how to sign as power of attorney for a loved one, but it can be a simple task if you prepare accordingly.

Be sure to follow any directions you’re given, while maintaining a clear record of the proceedings for future use.

It should be noted that using power of attorney after death of the principal is prohibited by law.

Mollie Moric

Mollie Moric

Staff Writer

Mollie Moric is a staff writer at Legal Templates. She translates complex legal concepts into easy to understand articles that empower readers in their legal pursuits. Her legal advice and analysis...

Related Articles

  • Living Will vs Will: What is the Difference?
  • Protecting Yourself from a “Powerless” Power of Attorney
  • Preventing Family Feuds After Power of Attorney
  • Tax Deductions for Landlords: What are they, and how do you get them?
  • Advance Directive vs Living Will

In This Article

  • What Is a Power of Attorney?
  • Steps for Signing as Power of Attorney

Free Power of Attorney Form

Use our free power of attorney form to let someone make legal and financial decisions for you.

Get Started

Legal Documents

  • All Legal Forms
  • Bill of Sale Forms
  • Quitclaim Deed
  • Cease and Desist
  • Last Will and Testament
  • Articles of Incorporation

Popular Forms

  • Lease Agreements
  • Power of Attorney Forms
  • Eviction Notice
  • Living Will
  • Non-Disclosure Agreement

Resources

  • Business
  • Estate Planning
  • Financial
  • Personal & Family
  • Real Estate

Company

  • Home
  • Pricing
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Partner With Us

Users

  • Account
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
McAfee - Together is power.
Trustpilot
BBB Accredited Business

(855) 335-9779, Monday-Friday, 10AM - 6PM EDT

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Copyright 2021 Legal Templates LLC. Legal Templates LLC is not a lawyer, or a law firm and does not engage in the practice of law. Legal Templates cannot and does not provide legal advice or legal representation. All information, software and services provided on the site are for informational purposes and self-help only and are not intended to be a substitute for a lawyer or professional legal advice. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use.