Power of Attorney Requirements in New York
New York requires a power of attorney to be signed and dated by the principal, acknowledged before a notary like a real estate deed, and witnessed by two people who are not agents or gift recipients, one of whom may be the notary.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
New York at a glance
- Notarization
- Required
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- In addition to the notary
- Uniform Power of Attorney Act
- Not adopted
- New York uses its own statute
The rules in New York
Does a power of attorney need to be notarized in New York?
New York requires a power of attorney to be acknowledged before a notary and signed in front of two witnesses.
How many witnesses does a power of attorney need in New York?
Two, in addition to the notary.
Has New York adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act?
No. New York has its own power of attorney statute rather than the Uniform Power of Attorney Act.
Where do the New York rules for powers of attorney come from?
They come from N.Y. General Obligations Law 5-1501B Execution requirements and Uniform Law Commission, Power of Attorney Act. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How New York compares
New York 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.