Does a Power of Attorney Need To Be Notarized in Pennsylvania?

iEditorial Note: These blog posts represent the opinion of DoNotPay’s Writers, but each person’s situation and circumstances vary greatly. As a result, you should make sure to do your own independent research. Because everyone is unique, our self-help tools are never guaranteed to help with any specific situation. DoNotPay is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law. DoNotPay provides a platform for legal information and self-help.

Does a Power of Attorney Need To Be Notarized in Pennsylvania—The Info You Need

If you google “does a power of attorney need to be notarized in Pennsylvania,” you may come across conflicting pieces of info. This is because the regulations regarding powers of attorney change. We’ll break down the most recent requirements for a power of attorney in Pennsylvania, including whether this document needs to be notarized.

Making Your Power of Attorney Official

Once your power of attorney (POA) document is ready, you need to follow the PA regulations to make it a valid document. Here are the criteria you need to meet:

  1. A POA needs to be dated
  2. The principal must sign it
  3. Two people aged 18 or older need to witness the signing
  4. A notary should notarize it

In case the principal—the person giving the authority to another (the agent)—is unable to sign the POA, they can add a mark, such as an X, or direct another person to sign it for them.

If another person needs to sign it, two witnesses need to be present. This person signing instead of the principal cannot be the notary or the two witnesses that are already required.

Do I Have To Get a POA Notarized?

Notarization used to be just an option, but since 2015, Pennsylvania requires citizens to have a notarized POA. This regulation is meant to serve as protection for the principal. With a notary public present during the singing of a POA, situations including fraud or coercion are less likely to take place.

The types of POA that are excluded from this rule are those used in commercial transactions and those limited to health care.

Where Can I Get a Notary?

If you want to find a notary on your own, you can check certain places that often offer notary services or look for a notary through different websites:

Public PlacesWebsites
  • Banks
  • AAA stores
  • Courthouses
  • United Parcel Service (UPS)
  • Credit unions
  • Police departments
  • Money transfer stores
  • Tax preparation firms
  • Accountant offices
  • Office supply stores
  • Law offices
  • Real estate agents
  • Insurance agents

How Much Are Notary Services in PA?

The state of Pennsylvania imposes a limit on the notary fees that the notaries public can charge their clients. The cost depends on the notarial act that needs to be performed:

  • Taking acknowledgments for each additional name—$2
  • Noting a protest of a negotiable instrument (charged per page)—$3
  • Taking acknowledgments—$5
  • Administering oaths or affirmations—$5
  • Taking verification on oath or affirmation—$5
  • Witnessing a signature (charged per signature)—$5
  • Certifying a copy or deposition (charged per certified copy)—$5

Aside from the cost of the notarization itself, notaries are allowed to charge for travel, administrative, or other expenses.

Can I Get a Document Notarized Online in Pennsylvania?

Yes, you can! Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, since 2020, PA notaries are allowed to become online notaries and perform remote online notarization acts.

For this type of service, a notary must:

  • Be in Pennsylvania, as opposed to the signer who can be anywhere
  • Notify the Department of State that they will perform a remote notarization
  • Use the approved communication technology
  • See and hear the signer during the notarization
  • Verify the signer’s identity by:
    • Personal connection
    • Credible witness’s testimony
    • Usage of identity-proofing technologies
  • Record the notarization
  • Keep the recording for at least ten years

Want To Notarize Your POA Online? DoNotPay Is the Way To Go!

Our app can match you with an online notary within minutes! All you have to do is and follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to the Notarize Any Document product
  2. Upload the POA or another document
  3. Provide your email address
  4. Click on the link we send you via email

Follow the instructions and arrange your appointment with a notary.

Not only can we assist you in getting a notary’s signature, but we also provide tips and guidance regarding notarization. Visit our learning center to find answers to numerous questions, including:

Use DoNotPay To Draft and Notarize Documents in a Flash

Once you , you can reap the benefits of all the nifty products we offer. You don’t have to wait to use DoNotPay when it’s time to notarize a document. You can turn to our app to generate numerous legal documents, such as:

Document TypesList of Documents

Real estate

  • Estoppel Certificate
  • Intent To Purchase Real Estate
  • Residential Lease Agreement
  • Quitclaim Deed

Business

  • Non-Compete Agreement
  • General Business Contract
  • Non-Disclosure Agreement
  • LLC Operating Agreement
  • Bill of Sale
  • Independent Contractor Agreement

Other

  • General Affidavit
  • Prenuptial Agreement
  • Parenting Plan (Child Custody Agreement)
  • Promissory Note
  • Child Care Authorization Form

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