Power of Attorney Requirements in Iowa
Iowa requires a power of attorney to be signed by the principal and acknowledged before a notary public or other officer authorized to take acknowledgments; an agent named in the document may not notarize it.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Iowa at a glance
- Notarization
- Required
- Witnesses
- None
- Uniform Power of Attorney Act
- Adopted (2014)
The rules in Iowa
Does a power of attorney need to be notarized in Iowa?
Iowa requires a power of attorney to be acknowledged before a notary.
How many witnesses does a power of attorney need in Iowa?
None. Iowa does not require witnesses for a power of attorney, but it does require notarization.
Has Iowa adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act?
Yes. The Uniform Law Commission lists the enactment in 2014.
Where do the Iowa rules for powers of attorney come from?
They come from Iowa Code 633B.105, Iowa Code 633B.101 and Uniform Law Commission, Power of Attorney Act enactment map. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Iowa compares
Iowa is one of 24 jurisdictions that require notarization.
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.