Power of Attorney Requirements in South Carolina
South Carolina requires a power of attorney to be signed, witnessed by two people with the same formality as a will, and acknowledged or proved before a notary.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
South Carolina at a glance
- Notarization
- Required
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- In addition to the notary
- Uniform Power of Attorney Act
- Adopted (2016)
The rules in South Carolina
Does a power of attorney need to be notarized in South Carolina?
South Carolina 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 South Carolina?
Two, in addition to the notary.
Has South Carolina adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act?
Yes. The Uniform Law Commission lists the enactment in 2016.
Where do the South Carolina rules for powers of attorney come from?
They come from S.C. Code 62-8-105, S.C. Code 62-2-502 will execution and Uniform Law Commission, Power of Attorney Act enactment history. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How South Carolina compares
South 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.