Signing Requirements
Advance directives require the signatures of two witnesses and a notary public.[1]
The following persons may not serve as a witness:
- An individual who signed the advance directive on the principal’s behalf
- A relative by blood or marriage
- A beneficiary named in the principal’s will (unless unaware at signing)
- A person who is financially responsible for the principal’s health care
- The attending physician
- The healthcare representative or their successor
Advance Directive (Preview)
Revocation
An advance directive can be revoked by the principal or an individual at their direction using the following methods[2]:
- Destruction of the document
- Execution of written revocation and delivery to their attending physician
- A verbal revocation in front of an adult witness, who must then sign a written revocation record and deliver it to the attending physician.
Registering
While not mandatory, an advance directive may be filed with the E-Directive Registry by mailing it with the completed E-Directive Registry Opt-In Form to the following address[3]:
PO Box 9022
64 Medical Center Drive
Morgantown, WV 26506