centilio
Start free
Centilio

Explore the products

A business OS.
Room to grow.

Start with one tool. Explore the wider suite as your needs grow.

Explore Centilio One ↗Product availability follows the catalogue.
Signby Centilio
Templates ⌄
Open Sign
FREE TEMPLATE / PERSONAL, FAMILY AND LEGAL

Durable Power of Attorney for Finances (United States)

A general durable power of attorney for money and property, for a principal in any US state. It names an agent and a successor, says whether it works now or only on incapacity, gives authority over the usual financial matters, limits gifts unless the principal allows them, and ends with the agent's acceptance. It is notarized, and witnessed where the state requires.

For the United States.

Download the free PDF

This page lists how to sign it in the United States. See how it is signed

First page of the Durable Power of Attorney for Finances (United States) template
PDF, 5 pages, 21 KB
THE DOCUMENT

What it covers

The template has 15 parts.

  1. My agent
  2. Successor agent
  3. When this power takes effect
  4. Durability
  5. General authority
  6. Special instructions
  7. Gifts and other acts that need my express permission
  8. Pay and expenses
  9. Reliance on this document
  10. Earlier powers of attorney
  11. Other terms
  12. Signature of the principal
  13. Witnesses, where the state requires them
  14. Notary acknowledgment
  15. Agent's acceptance
BEFORE YOU START

What you will be asked

Have these details ready. The template needs them before anyone signs.

  • What is your full legal name?
  • What is your home address?
  • In which state do you live?
  • Who will be your agent, the person who handles your money and property for you? Give their full name, address and phone number.
  • Who should act if your agent cannot or will not? Give the same details, or say none.Optional
  • Should this power of attorney work as soon as you sign it, or only if you become incapacitated?
  • Do you want to limit your agent's powers or add instructions, such as allowing gifts? Say none if not.Optional
  • Should your agent be paid for this work, or only repaid expenses?
  • Do you have other financial powers of attorney that should stay in force? Name them, or say none.Optional
THE PEOPLE

Who signs

Everyone the template names, and what each one does.

  • PrincipalSigns
  • AgentSigns
  • First witness, where the state requiresWitness
  • Second witness, where the state requiresWitness
  • Notary publicNotary
SIGNING RULES

How it is signed in the United States

The rules for a power of attorney for property and money depend on where it is signed. Laws change, so check the sources before anyone signs.

United States

Print and sign in ink

Print it and sign it in ink. A notary or other authorized officer must take the signature.

Steps

  1. Print the power of attorney.
  2. Sign it in ink before a notary, who completes the acknowledgment.
  3. Add witnesses where your state requires them.
  4. Have the agent sign the acceptance.
  5. Give the agent the original and keep a copy. Record it with the county if it covers real estate.

What the law asks for

E-signature
Only in some casesBanks, title companies and county recorders expect a notarised power of attorney. An electronic one works where it is notarised online under state law.
Witnesses
NoneMost states need no witness.
Notary
RequiredUnder the Uniform Power of Attorney Act a signature acknowledged before a notary is presumed genuine, and third parties rely on that.
Remote signing
Online notary allowedRemote online notarization is in force in 42 states and DC (not Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Mississippi or South Carolina, mid 2026).
Registration
OptionalRecord it with the county recorder when the agent will sell or mortgage real estate.
Stamp duty
Not needed

Where the rules differ

Signing rules by state in the United States
StateHow it is signedE-signatureWitnessesNotaryRegistrationStamp duty
CaliforniaPrint and sign in inkOnly in some casesNoneOptionalOptionalNot needed

Remote online notarization is enacted in California but not in force until 2030.

FloridaPrint and sign in inkOnly in some casesTwoRequiredOptionalNot needed

Florida allows online notarization and witnessing under its own rules.

IllinoisPrint and sign in inkOnly in some casesOneRequiredOptionalNot needed

Illinois requires a witness and a notary for every power of attorney for property.

MichiganPrint and sign in inkOnly in some casesNoneOptionalOptionalNot needed

Michigan adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act.

New YorkPrint and sign in inkOnly in some casesTwoRequiredOptionalNot needed

New York needs its statutory short form or wording that substantially conforms to it.

PennsylvaniaPrint and sign in inkOnly in some casesTwoRequiredOptionalNot needed

Pennsylvania adds a notice the principal signs and an acknowledgment the agent signs.

South CarolinaPrint and sign in inkNot acceptedTwoRequiredOptionalNot needed

South Carolina has no remote online notarization law in force.

TexasPrint and sign in inkOnly in some casesNoneRequiredOptionalNot needed

Texas allows online notarization.

Sources

Checked October 25, 2026 against these sources.

QUESTIONS

Common questions

Answers from the signing rules on this page.

Can the durable power of attorney for finances be signed electronically in the United States?

Only in some cases in the United States. Banks, title companies and county recorders expect a notarised power of attorney. An electronic one works where it is notarised online under state law.

How many witnesses does the durable power of attorney for finances need in the United States?

None. No witness is needed in the United States. Most states need no witness.

Does the durable power of attorney for finances need a notary in the United States?

Yes. A notary or other authorized officer must take the signature. Under the Uniform Power of Attorney Act a signature acknowledged before a notary is presumed genuine, and third parties rely on that.

Does the durable power of attorney for finances need to be registered in the United States?

No. Registration is optional. Record it with the county recorder when the agent will sell or mortgage real estate.

Is stamp duty due on the durable power of attorney for finances in the United States?

No stamp duty is due.

Can the durable power of attorney for finances be signed or witnessed remotely in the United States?

Yes. Online notarization is allowed. Remote online notarization is in force in 42 states and DC (not Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Mississippi or South Carolina, mid 2026).

Can the durable power of attorney for finances be signed electronically in the United States?

It depends on the state. Of the 8 states on this page, 1 does not and 7 accept it only in some cases.

How many witnesses does the durable power of attorney for finances need in the United States?

It depends on the state. The 8 states on this page ask for none to two. The table lists each one.

Does the durable power of attorney for finances need a notary in the United States?

It depends on the state. 6 of the 8 states on this page require a notary for it.

Does the durable power of attorney for finances need to be registered in the United States?

No, in all 8 states on this page.

Is stamp duty due on the durable power of attorney for finances in the United States?

No, in all 8 states on this page.

THE RIGHT TEMPLATE

Where it fits

For a principal in any US state who wants an agent to handle money and property, now or if they become incapacitated. Not for health care decisions. In New York, use the state statutory short form or wording that substantially conforms to it, Pennsylvania requires a notice signed by the principal and an acknowledgment signed by the agent, and California and Texas have optional statutory forms. To sell or mortgage land, the power may need to be recorded with the county.

A CAREFUL CHECK

Before you rely on it

Original Centilio wording, not legal advice. A general durable power of attorney for finances in the pattern of the Uniform Power of Attorney Act, which most states have adopted, written to also fit the older statutes of the rest. New York has a statutory short form (General Obligations Law section 5-1513) and a power of attorney there must substantially conform to it, so use the New York form for a principal in New York. Pennsylvania requires a notice signed by the principal and an acknowledgment signed by the agent (20 Pa.C.S. section 5601). California (Probate Code section 4401) and Texas (Estates Code chapter 752) have optional statutory forms that banks know well. Florida does not allow a power that starts only on incapacity, and needs the principal's initials beside each gift and trust power. To sell or mortgage land, the power usually must be recorded with the county where the land is. Banks may ask for their own forms, and the IRS uses Form 2848 for tax matters. See a lawyer for gifting, Medicaid planning, business interests or a large estate.