Washington power of attorney forms are documents that are used to appoint an agent to act on behalf of an individual (referred to as the principal). This could mean making health care decisions once the individual is incapacitated, or opening bank accounts in their name, or registering a motor vehicle with the DMV. Each form below serves a unique purpose and grants a different scope of authority. It is required of every agent, regardless of the type of power granted, that they perform their duties in accordance with the individual’s wishes and within the parameters of the power of attorney document.

Advance Directive – The principal can assign a health care agent using an advance directive while also leaving instructions regarding the health care they would like to receive.

Download: Adobe PDF
Signing requirements (§ 70.122.030): Notarization OR two (2) witnesses

Durable Power of Attorney – The “durable” nature of this document prevents it from becoming ineffective once the principal can no longer express their wishes.

Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Signing requirements (§ 11.125.050): Notarization OR two (2) witnesses

General (non-durable) Power of Attorney – “Non-durable” means that the document terminates upon the incapacity of the principal. This form is used to allow the agent to oversee the principal’s finances until such a point that the principal can no longer communicate their intent or they revoke the authority.

Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Signing requirements (§ 11.125.050): Notarization OR two (2) witnesses

Limited Power of Attorney – Limited powers of attorney forms provide the agent with a very restricted scope of authority within which they may operate.

Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Signing requirements (§ 11.125.050): Notarization OR two (2) witnesses

Motor Vehicle (Form TD-420-050) Power of Attorney – A motor vehicle power of attorney enables a principal to have another individual register, title, and transfer ownership of their vehicle on their behalf.

Download: Adobe PDF
Signing requirements: Notarization

Minor (Child) Power of Attorney – A parent can, using the minor child power of attorney, assign a temporary guardian for their child when they anticipate that they will not be able to give them sufficient care.

Download: Adobe PDF
Signing requirements (RCW 11.125.050): Notarization OR two (2) witnesses

Real Estate Power of Attorney – A property owner or buyer can select another party to carry out real estate transactions on their behalf.

Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Signing requirements: (§ 11.125.050): Notarization OR two (2) witnesses

Tax Power of Attorney – If another individual is needed to file one’s taxes or otherwise correspond with the Washington Department of Revenue, they must be included in a tax power of attorney document.

Download: Adobe PDF
Signing requirements: Taxpayer and representative(s)