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Health Care Power of Attorney Requirements in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, a health care power of attorney must be dated, signed and witnessed by two individuals aged 18 or older; a person who signs for the principal cannot also witness, and no notary is required by the statute.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Pennsylvania at a glance

Document name
Health care power of attorney
Witnesses
2 witnesses
Witnesses must be 18 or older.
Notary required
No
20 Pa.C.S. 5452 requires a date, signature and two witnesses and does not list notarization.
Who cannot witness
Person who signs for you
Section 5452 lists no other witness exclusions.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Pennsylvania

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

Document name in Pennsylvania: Health care power of attorney.

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

Witnesses in Pennsylvania: 2 witnesses. Witnesses must be 18 or older.

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

No. Notary required in Pennsylvania: no. 20 Pa.C.S. 5452 requires a date, signature and two witnesses and does not list notarization.

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

Who cannot witness in Pennsylvania: Person who signs for you. Section 5452 lists no other witness exclusions.

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

The rules above come from 20 Pa.C.S. 5452. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

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.