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Health Care Power of Attorney Requirements in Washington

In Washington, a power of attorney granting health care authority must be signed and dated and either acknowledged before a notary or attested by two competent witnesses who are not the principal's care providers and are unrelated to the principal or agent.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Washington at a glance

Document name
Power of attorney with health care authority
Washington uses its general Uniform Power of Attorney Act; health care authority is covered by RCW 11.125.400.
Witnesses
2 witnesses or a notary
Witnesses must be competent.
Notary required
Notary or 2 witnesses
Who cannot witness
Relatives of principal or agent, home and facility care providers
Witnesses cannot be related to the principal or agent by blood, marriage or state registered domestic partnership, or be the principal's home care or facility care providers.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Washington

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

Document name in Washington: Power of attorney with health care authority. Washington uses its general Uniform Power of Attorney Act; health care authority is covered by RCW 11.125.400.

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

Witnesses in Washington: 2 witnesses or a notary. Witnesses must be competent.

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

Notary or 2 witnesses. Notary required in Washington: notary or 2 witnesses.

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

Who cannot witness in Washington: Relatives of principal or agent, home and facility care providers. Witnesses cannot be related to the principal or agent by blood, marriage or state registered domestic partnership, or be the principal's home care or facility care providers.

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

The rules above come from Rev. Code Wash. 11.125.050 and Rev. Code Wash. 11.125.400. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

RCW 11.125.050 was last amended by 2026 c 101, which added a rule for vehicle transfer powers of attorney and did not change the notary or two witness rule.

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.