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Living Will Requirements in Pennsylvania

A Pennsylvania living will must be signed by the principal and witnessed by two individuals age 18 or older; notarization is not required.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Pennsylvania at a glance

Name of the document
Living Will
Witnesses
2 witnesses
Notarization
Optional

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Pennsylvania

What is a living will called in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, the document is called the Living Will.

Does a living will need witnesses in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania requires two witnesses.

Does a living will need to be notarized in Pennsylvania?

No. Notarization is optional in Pennsylvania.

Where do the Pennsylvania rules for living wills come from?

They come from 20 Pa.C.S. 5442. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.

How Pennsylvania compares

Pennsylvania is one of 25 jurisdictions that make notarization optional.

What this means in practice

Give copies to your doctor, your health care agent and close family, and keep the original where it can be found quickly. A living will that nobody can find cannot help.

Many states have rules about who may serve as a witness, for example excluding relatives or your health care providers. Check the statute before you sign.

Review the document after a major diagnosis, a move to another state or a change in your wishes.

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