Power of Attorney Requirements in Hawaii
Hawaii requires a power of attorney to be signed by the principal (or by someone at the principal's direction in their presence); notarization is not required for validity, but acknowledged powers of attorney get a presumption of genuineness and must generally be accepted by third parties.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Hawaii at a glance
- Notarization
- Optional, recommended
- A notarized signature is presumed genuine
- Witnesses
- None
- Uniform Power of Attorney Act
- Adopted (2014)
The rules in Hawaii
Does a power of attorney need to be notarized in Hawaii?
Notarization is optional in Hawaii, but a notarized signature is presumed genuine, which makes banks and others more likely to accept the document.
How many witnesses does a power of attorney need in Hawaii?
None. Hawaii does not require witnesses for a power of attorney.
Has Hawaii adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act?
Yes. The Uniform Law Commission lists the enactment in 2014.
Where do the Hawaii rules for powers of attorney come from?
They come from Haw. Rev. Stat. 551E-3, Haw. Rev. Stat. 551E-15, Haw. Rev. Stat. 551E-16 and 2 other sources. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Hawaii compares
Hawaii is one of 16 jurisdictions that make notarization optional but recommended.
What this means in practice
Even where notarization is optional, banks, brokers and title companies often ask for a notarized power of attorney before they act on it. Notarizing is usually the safer choice.
Choose an agent you trust, name a backup, and give the agent a signed copy. Keep the original in a place your agent can reach.
You can revoke a power of attorney while you have capacity. Tell your agent and anyone who relied on it, in writing.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.