Does a Power of Attorney Need a Notary in Pennsylvania?

Yes, a notary is required.

The signature is acknowledged before a notary or other official, who can't be the agent.

In the official wording

"shall not be the agent designated in the power of attorney"

From the official pages listed below, checked November 2026.

What else the signing needs

Witnesses: Two witnesses. Two adult witnesses, who can't be the agent, the notary or anyone signing for the principal.
"A witness shall not be the individual who signed the power of attorney on behalf of and at the direction of the principal."
Agent's acknowledgment: The agent has no authority until the agent signs and attaches the statutory acknowledgment of duties.
"has first executed and affixed to the power of attorney an acknowledgment"
Recording for real estate: An acknowledged power of attorney may be recorded in the recorder of deeds office; chapter 56 doesn't require it.
"it may be recorded in the office for the recording of deeds."
Official form: Chapter 56 has no fill-in statutory power of attorney form. Every power of attorney must carry the statutory notice (5601(c)), and the agent signs the statutory acknowledgment (5601(d)).
Durable after incapacity: All powers of attorney are durable unless they say otherwise.
"all powers of attorney shall be durable"

Next step

Sign by video with our New Jersey notary while you're in Pennsylvania, 7 AM to 9 PM Eastern, seven days a week, by appointment. New Jersey law lets a New Jersey notary notarize for a signer located in another state (N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.10). How Pennsylvania treats it: Pennsylvania gives a notarial act performed in another state the same effect as one performed in Pennsylvania (57 Pa.C.S. §311). More on Pennsylvania signers.

If the agent will use it for real estate, ask the title company or the county recorder of deeds before you sign.

Witnesses are required too. Talk to us before booking so we can plan the session, or sign in person with a notary and witnesses.

Notarize it online ($50 per session) Request a mobile notary in Pennsylvania

Booking sends a request; we confirm the time and the price before you pay.

In person, we look for a notary commissioned in Pennsylvania near you; you approve the price first.

If a local notary in Pennsylvania does it: Acknowledgment, first signer named in the certificate, $5; Acknowledgment, each additional name in the same certificate, $2, under the state's fee rules (Pennsylvania notary fees).

Get it notarized online today

Online notary: open now until 9 PM ET · sessions by appointment · times confirmed by email

A New Jersey notary can notarize this with you on a video call, wherever you are in the U.S. $50 for the session, $10 for each extra signer. Any other fee shows in the booking form before you confirm. Open 7 am to 9 pm ET, every day, by appointment.

What you need

A valid government photo ID
A computer or phone with a camera
The unsigned document

Book an online session

Our certificate states the act was performed using communication technology, as New Jersey law requires. What it must say

Most U.S. recipients accept a remotely notarized document; check with whoever will receive it. What to ask them · Several signers

And a health care power of attorney?

Witnesses; the rule we read doesn't mention a notary. Dated and signed, and witnessed by two people 18 or older; someone who signs for the principal can't also witness. The section doesn't mention a notary.

"witnessed by two individuals, each of whom is 18 years of age or older"

Two adult witnesses.

From 20 Pa.C.S. 5452, Execution of health care power of attorney (Pennsylvania General Assembly). A health care document follows its own signing rule, separate from the financial one.

Official sources

20 Pa.C.S. Chapter 56, Powers of Attorney (Pennsylvania General Assembly) (checked November 2026)
20 Pa.C.S. 5452, Execution of health care power of attorney (Pennsylvania General Assembly) (checked November 2026)
Pennsylvania Joint State Government Commission: Powers of Attorney report (2010): amend Chapter 56 rather than adopt the uniform act; the statutory notice and agent's acknowledgment (checked November 2026)

We are not lawyers, and this is general information, not legal advice. Checked November 2026. Rules change, and whoever receives the document decides what it accepts; we can't guarantee acceptance.

Common questions

Is notarization required for a power of attorney in Pennsylvania?

Yes, a notary is required. The signature is acknowledged before a notary or other official, who can't be the agent.

Are witnesses needed for a Pennsylvania power of attorney?

Two witnesses. Two adult witnesses, who can't be the agent, the notary or anyone signing for the principal.

Does the agent sign anything in Pennsylvania?

The agent has no authority until the agent signs and attaches the statutory acknowledgment of duties.

Does a Pennsylvania power of attorney have to be recorded for a house sale?

An acknowledged power of attorney may be recorded in the recorder of deeds office; chapter 56 doesn't require it.

Does a medical power of attorney need a notary in Pennsylvania?

Witnesses; the rule we read doesn't mention a notary. Dated and signed, and witnessed by two people 18 or older; someone who signs for the principal can't also witness. The section doesn't mention a notary.

Can I sign a Pennsylvania power of attorney with an online notary?

Our New Jersey notary can notarize it by video while you're in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania gives a notarial act performed in another state the same effect as one performed in Pennsylvania (57 Pa.C.S. §311). Witnesses are required too, so talk to us before booking, or sign in person.

Keep going

A power of attorney in another state: Ohio · South Carolina · every state

Does a power of attorney need to be notarized in Pennsylvania?