Short answer. A notary is required; 1 witness.
At a glance
- Uniform act
- 755 ILCS 45 has its own short title, the Illinois Power of Attorney Act.
- Notary
- The form isn't effective unless the principal's signature is notarized; the notary can't also be the witness.
- Witnesses
- At least one witness. The witness can't be an agent or successor agent, the principal's doctor or mental health provider, or a close relative of the principal or agent.
- Agent's acknowledgment
- Not required. The principal may ask the agents for specimen signatures; if they're included, the principal certifies they're genuine. The agent doesn't sign an acknowledgment of duties.
- Official form
- Illinois Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney for Property. The statutory short form under 755 ILCS 45/3-3, with notices to the principal and the agent. Open it
- Durable
- The form's notice says the agent may act before and after incapacity, unless the principal limits the period.
- Healthcare document
- One witness, 18 or older, who isn't the agent, a relative of the principal or agent, the principal's clinician, or an owner or operator of the facility. No notary is needed.
In the official wording
Notary
Need this notarized? Online notarization for signers in Illinois.
"will not be effective unless it is signed by at least one witness and your signature is notarized."
Witnesses
"Illinois requires only one witness, but other jurisdictions may require more than one witness."
Agent
"You may, but are not required to, request your agent and successor agents to provide specimen signatures"
Durability
"throughout your lifetime, both before and after you become incapacitated"
Healthcare
"There is no need to have the form notarized."
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
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
Signing-day steps
- Statutory form: recommended or optional
- Notary: required
- Witnesses: required
- Agent's acknowledgment: not required
- Recording for real estate: not confirmed
Full checklist with the reasons: financial · healthcare.
Worth knowing
The notice to the agent says to sign as (principal's name) by (your name) as agent. Specimen signatures of the agents are optional on the form.
Not stated on the pages we read: recording for real estate.
Signing in New Jersey? MCC Solutions provides mobile notarization, hospital notarization and remote online notarization for New Jersey signers. Elsewhere, a local notary can help.
Official sources
- Illinois Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney for Property, 755 ILCS 45/3-3 (Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission) (checked November 2026)
- 755 ILCS 45/4-10, Statutory short form power of attorney for health care (Illinois General Assembly) (checked November 2026)
- 755 ILCS 45/, Illinois Power of Attorney Act (Illinois General Assembly) (checked November 2026)
- 755 ILCS 45/3-3: Statutory short form power of attorney for property (Illinois General Assembly) (checked November 2026)
General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Have a lawyer prepare or review the power of attorney itself.
Common questions
Does a power of attorney have to be notarized in Illinois?
Yes. The form isn't effective unless the principal's signature is notarized; the notary can't also be the witness.
How many witnesses does a Illinois power of attorney need?
At least one witness. The witness can't be an agent or successor agent, the principal's doctor or mental health provider, or a close relative of the principal or agent.
Does the agent have to sign anything in Illinois?
Not before acting. Not required. The principal may ask the agents for specimen signatures; if they're included, the principal certifies they're genuine. The agent doesn't sign an acknowledgment of duties.
Is a Illinois power of attorney durable?
Yes, by default. The form's notice says the agent may act before and after incapacity, unless the principal limits the period.
How is a healthcare power of attorney signed in Illinois?
One witness, 18 or older, who isn't the agent, a relative of the principal or agent, the principal's clinician, or an owner or operator of the facility. No notary is needed.
Is there an official power of attorney form in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney for Property. The statutory short form under 755 ILCS 45/3-3, with notices to the principal and the agent.
All states: power of attorney requirements by state · Florida · Maine · Signing a healthcare proxy or medical power of attorney