Skip to content
Oakclause

Health Care Power of Attorney Requirements in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, a power of attorney for health care must be dated, signed and signed in the presence of two witnesses aged 18 or older who are not relatives, heirs, financially responsible people, the agent or certain care providers.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Wisconsin at a glance

Document name
Power of attorney for health care
Witnesses
2 witnesses
Witnesses must be 18 or older. Remote witnessing by real-time audiovisual means is allowed when supervised by a Wisconsin attorney.
Notary required
No
Wis. Stat. 155.10 requires two witnesses and does not list notarization.
Who cannot witness
Relatives, heirs, agent, payers, care providers
Excluded providers include the principal's provider and staff and inpatient facility staff, except chaplains and social workers.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Wisconsin

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

Document name in Wisconsin: Power of attorney for health care.

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

Witnesses in Wisconsin: 2 witnesses. Witnesses must be 18 or older. Remote witnessing by real-time audiovisual means is allowed when supervised by a Wisconsin attorney.

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

No. Notary required in Wisconsin: no. Wis. Stat. 155.10 requires two witnesses and does not list notarization.

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

Who cannot witness in Wisconsin: Relatives, heirs, agent, payers, care providers. Excluded providers include the principal's provider and staff and inpatient facility staff, except chaplains and social workers.

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

The rules above come from Wis. Stat. 155.10. 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.