Skip to content
Oakclause

Health Care Power of Attorney Requirements in Alabama

In Alabama, a health care proxy is appointed in an advance directive for health care that must be signed in front of two witnesses age 19 or older; no notary is required.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Alabama at a glance

Document name
Advance directive for health care (health care proxy)
The proxy can be part of a living will or a separate document, and the proxy must accept the appointment in writing.
Witnesses
2 witnesses
Witnesses must be 19 or older.
Notary required
No
The statute requires two witnesses and does not list notarization.
Who cannot witness
Proxy, relatives, heirs, anyone paying your medical care
Also excluded: the person who signs for you at your direction.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Alabama

What is a health care power of attorney called in Alabama?

Document name in Alabama: Advance directive for health care (health care proxy). The proxy can be part of a living will or a separate document, and the proxy must accept the appointment in writing.

How many witnesses does a health care power of attorney need in Alabama?

Witnesses in Alabama: 2 witnesses. Witnesses must be 19 or older.

Does a health care power of attorney have to be notarized in Alabama?

No. Notary required in Alabama: no. The statute requires two witnesses and does not list notarization.

Who cannot witness a health care power of attorney in Alabama?

Who cannot witness in Alabama: Proxy, relatives, heirs, anyone paying your medical care. Also excluded: the person who signs for you at your direction.

Where do the Alabama health care power of attorney requirements come from?

The rules above come from Ala. Code 22-8A-4. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

A proxy designation must be accepted in writing by the person appointed, and the acceptance is attached to the designation.

What this means in practice

Follow the signing rules of the state where you live when you sign. If you spend a lot of time in another state, check whether that state honors documents signed elsewhere, and consider signing a version that also meets its rules.

Choose witnesses before the signing day. Witness rules often exclude the agent you are naming and may also exclude relatives, people who would inherit from you, or staff of a health care provider or facility caring for you. Using two unrelated adults avoids most problems.

Give copies of the signed document to your agent, any alternate agent and your doctors, and keep the original where it can be found quickly. If you later change your mind, revoke the old document in writing and tell everyone who has a copy.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.