How to Notarize Power of Attorney Online
Complete guide to getting your power of attorney documents notarized remotely - fast, legal, and secure from anywhere.
Quick Answer
Yes, you can notarize a power of attorney online in most states using Remote Online Notarization (RON). The process takes 10-15 minutes and costs $15-$39. You'll need valid ID, a webcam, and internet connection. Services like Notarize and NotaryLive are available 24/7.
What is a Power of Attorney?
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that grants someone (called the "agent" or "attorney-in-fact") the authority to act on your behalf in legal, financial, or healthcare matters. POAs are commonly used for:
- Financial POA: Managing bank accounts, paying bills, filing taxes, buying/selling property
- Healthcare POA: Making medical decisions when you're unable to do so
- General POA: Broad authority for multiple types of decisions
- Limited/Special POA: Authority for specific tasks or time periods
- Durable POA: Remains in effect even if you become incapacitated
In most states, a Power of Attorney document must be notarized to be legally valid and enforceable.
Can You Notarize Power of Attorney Online?
In most U.S. states, yes — but not in all of them, and not for every kind of POA. Remote Online Notarization (RON) is currently authorized in roughly 45 states under their own state statutes. A few jurisdictions (notably California, which has not enacted a permanent RON law) still require in-person notarization. Always confirm what your specific state allows for the type of POA you’re signing.
What you should know
- ✅ State authority: RON is enabled by each state’s own UETA / RON statute, not by a single federal law.
- ✅ Common practice: Most banks, courts and agencies accept RON-notarized POAs from RON-enabled states, but acceptance depends on the receiving institution.
- ⚠ State exceptions: A handful of states do not yet permit RON for POAs, or impose extra rules.
- ⚠ Witnesses are separate: States like Florida, Pennsylvania, Georgia and South Carolina require witnesses in addition to notarization for certain POAs.
- ⚠ Document types matter: Healthcare or durable POAs sometimes have stricter execution rules than financial POAs.
Important Note
Power of attorney is a high-impact legal document. Before relying on RON, confirm with the bank, hospital, court or agency that will receive the POA that they accept remotely-notarized documents, and check your state’s requirements (witness rules, durable / springing POA wording, etc.). For non-trivial situations, work with a licensed attorney in your state.
How to Notarize Power of Attorney Online (5 Steps)
Getting your POA notarized online is straightforward. Here's the complete process:
Prepare Your POA Document
Use a state-specific POA template or have an attorney draft one. Make sure it includes:
- Your full legal name and address
- Agent's full legal name and address
- Specific powers being granted
- Effective date and duration
- Your signature line and notary section
- Witness signature lines (if required by your state)
Important: Do NOT sign the document yet - you must sign it during the video notarization session.
Choose an Online Notary Platform
Select a RON platform that's available in your state. Popular options include:
- Notarize: $25, 24/7 availability, 2-5 min wait
- NotaryLive: $15, fast service, easy to use
- Proof: $25, business-focused, high security
Create an account and upload your unsigned POA document (PDF format recommended).
Verify Your Identity
The platform will verify your identity using:
- Government-issued ID: Driver's license, passport, or state ID
- Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA): Answer questions about your credit history
- Biometric verification: Facial recognition matching your ID photo
This process takes 2-3 minutes and ensures legal compliance.
Meet with the Notary via Video
You'll connect with a commissioned notary via live video call. During the session:
- The notary will verify your identity and document
- You'll confirm you understand the POA and are signing voluntarily
- You'll electronically sign the document on-screen
- The notary will apply their electronic seal and signature
- The entire session is recorded for security and legal purposes
This typically takes 5-10 minutes.
Download Your Notarized POA
After notarization, you'll receive:
- Notarized PDF: Your POA with the notary's electronic seal
- Notarization Certificate: Proof of notarization with audit trail
- Video Recording: Encrypted recording of the session (stored securely)
Download and save multiple copies. You can print the PDF for physical submission if needed.
Requirements & Documents Needed
To notarize your power of attorney online, you'll need:
Valid Photo ID
Driver's license, passport, or state-issued ID (not expired)
Computer or Device
Laptop, desktop, tablet, or smartphone with webcam
Internet Connection
Stable internet for video call (WiFi or cellular data)
POA Document
Unsigned PDF ready for electronic signing
Additional State Requirements
Some states require witnesses in addition to notarization. Common requirements:
- Florida: Requires 2 witnesses (can be present remotely)
- Pennsylvania: Requires 2 witnesses for POAs
- Georgia: Requires 2 witnesses or notary acknowledgment
- South Carolina: Requires witness signatures
Many RON platforms can arrange remote witnesses if required by your state.
Best Platforms for POA Notarization
These platforms specialize in notarizing legal documents including power of attorney:
Notarize
Best Overall- Available 24/7 including weekends
- 2-5 minute average wait time
- Trusted by major financial institutions
- Handles POAs, deeds, wills, trusts
- Remote witness service available
- Secure document storage
NotaryLive
Best Value- Lowest price for POA notarization
- Fast, straightforward process
- Available nights and weekends
- Experienced with legal documents
- Mobile-friendly platform
- Instant PDF delivery
State-Specific Requirements
While RON is legal in all states, power of attorney documents may have specific state requirements:
States Requiring Witnesses
- Florida: 2 witnesses required (can be remote)
- Pennsylvania: 2 witnesses for POA documents
- Georgia: 2 witnesses recommended
- South Carolina: Witness signatures required
States with Special POA Forms
- California: Statutory POA form available (California Probate Code § 4401)
- New York: Specific statutory short form (New York General Obligations Law § 5-1513)
- Illinois: Illinois Statutory Short Form POA required for some transactions
- Texas: Statutory Durable POA form recommended
Check Your State
For specific state requirements, visit our state-by-state guide or consult with a local attorney. RON platforms can also guide you on state-specific requirements during the notarization process.
How Much Does It Cost?
Online notarization for power of attorney documents typically costs:
- NotaryLive: $15 per notarization
- Notarize: $25 per notarization
- Proof: $25 per notarization
- DocVerify: $25-$39 per notarization
Additional Costs to Consider
- Witness Service: $10-$25 extra if your state requires witnesses
- Document Preparation: $100-$500 if using an attorney to draft the POA
- Multiple Copies: Some platforms charge per notarization, so prepare all documents at once
Compared to in-person: Traditional notary fees are $5-$15 per signature, but you save on travel time, gas, and the ability to do it 24/7 from home.
Ready to Notarize Your Power of Attorney?
Get your POA notarized online in 10–15 minutes. Available 24/7 in most U.S. states. Confirm your state’s rules and your receiving institution’s policy first.
Compare Platforms →Frequently Asked Questions
Remote online notarization can be used for many power of attorney documents, but legality and acceptance depend on the signing state, witness requirements, the type of POA, and the policies of the bank, hospital, court, or agency reviewing it. Check both state law and the receiving institution before relying on the document.
It depends on your state. Most states only require notarization, but Florida, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and South Carolina require witness signatures in addition to notarization. Many RON platforms can arrange remote witnesses if needed. Check your state's specific requirements before starting.
Yes, durable power of attorney documents can be notarized online just like standard POAs. The "durable" designation simply means the POA remains in effect if you become incapacitated. The notarization process is identical to other types of power of attorney.
The entire process takes 10-15 minutes on average. This includes creating an account (2 minutes), identity verification (2-3 minutes), waiting for a notary (2-5 minutes), and the video notarization session (5-10 minutes). Many platforms offer 24/7 service with minimal wait times.
It happens occasionally. There is no single federal law that forces every U.S. institution to accept RON — acceptance depends on your state’s RON statute and the institution’s internal policy. If your bank refuses, ask whether they accept RON from a state-commissioned notary; provide the notarized PDF with the digital seal and the notarization certificate showing the full audit trail. If they still refuse, you may need to use in-person notarization for that specific document.
No, the person granting the power of attorney (the "principal") must personally appear before the notary and sign the document themselves. This is a legal requirement to prevent fraud. However, you can help them set up the online notarization session and be present for support (off-camera).
Never sign before the video call. The notary must witness you signing the document in real-time during the video session. This is a critical legal requirement. Upload your unsigned POA document to the platform, and you'll sign it electronically during the video notarization.
Often yes, but interstate use of an online notarized POA can still depend on the receiving state's rules and the policies of the bank, hospital, title company, or agency reviewing it. Confirm acceptance before relying on the document in another state.
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