Power of Attorney Requirements in North Carolina
North Carolina requires a power of attorney under its Uniform Power of Attorney Act to be signed by the principal and acknowledged, which means notarized, and no witnesses are required.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
North Carolina at a glance
- Notarization
- Required
- Witnesses
- None
- Uniform Power of Attorney Act
- Adopted (2017)
The rules in North Carolina
Does a power of attorney need to be notarized in North Carolina?
North Carolina requires a power of attorney to be acknowledged before a notary.
How many witnesses does a power of attorney need in North Carolina?
None. North Carolina does not require witnesses for a power of attorney, but it does require notarization.
Has North Carolina adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act?
Yes. The Uniform Law Commission lists the enactment in 2017.
Where do the North Carolina rules for powers of attorney come from?
They come from N.C.G.S. 32C-1-105 Execution of power of attorney, N.C.G.S. 32C-1-101 Short title 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 North Carolina compares
North Carolina 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.