Washington Power of Attorney Form
Authorize someone you trust to act on your behalf. Fill in the details below and download a print-ready PDF. Free, no signup — but read the signing rules below, because a POA usually must be notarized.
Maintained by the SealForms editorial team · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
Using a power of attorney in Washington
How Washington’s statute treats durability, statutory forms, real estate, and revocation — with the section each rule comes from.
- Uniform act. Washington has adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act, so its rules on agent duties and third-party acceptance follow the national model. — RCW ch. 11.125 (2016 c 209, eff. Jan. 1, 2017) ↗
- Not durable by default. In Washington the document must say expressly that it survives incapacity — this template includes that language. — RCW 11.125.040 [2016 c 209 s 104] ↗
- Agent’s certification. Agent's Certification as to the Validity of Power of Attorney and Agent's Authority, RCW 11.125.430 (optional form) — RCW 11.125.430 [2016 c 209 s 301] ↗
- Revoking it. POA terminates when the principal revokes it (RCW 11.125.100(1)(c)); agent's authority ends when the principal revokes it (11.125.100(2)(a)). No specific revocation formality in § 11.125.100. — RCW 11.125.100 [2016 c 209 s 110] ↗
Each point links to the Washington source it was taken from. Rules change; confirm before relying on them.
Washington signing rules · as of 2026
- Notarization
- Required
- Witnesses
- None required
- Official state form
- No
Source: Rev. Code Wash. §11.125.050 · verify ↗. A POA gives real authority over your money — sign it before a notary (and witnesses where required), and take advice for high-value or health-care matters.
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Power of Attorney
State of Washington
I, __________ ("Principal"), of __________ , appoint __________ ("Agent" / Attorney-in-Fact), of __________ , to act on my behalf.
Powers. I grant my Agent authority over the following: __________ . The Agent shall act in my best interest and keep records of actions taken.
Effective. This power of attorney takes effect on signing. Durability. Durable: __________. If "Yes" is written above, this power of attorney is DURABLE: it is not terminated by my subsequent incapacity. If "No" is written above, this power of attorney is NOT durable: it TERMINATES if I become incapacitated.
This document is governed by the laws of the State of Washington. It is revocable by me at any time while I have capacity.
Witness 1: __________________ Witness 2: __________________ (if required by Washington)
State of Washington, County of ____________ — acknowledged before me on ____________ by the above-named Agent.
Notary Public: __________________________ My commission expires: ____________
Generated with SealFormsReflects Washington law · verified 2026
What a Washington power of attorney does
It lets your chosen agent step into your shoes for the tasks you allow — paying bills, managing bank accounts, handling real estate or taxes — which is invaluable if you travel, deploy, or want a plan in case of illness. You stay in control: you decide the powers, whether it’s durable, and you can revoke it anytime.
Signing it correctly in Washington
A POA only works if institutions accept it, which is why the signing formalities matter. Get itnotarized, add witnesses if Washington requires them, and check whether your state has a statutory form banks prefer. See the current Washington power-of-attorney requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Washington power of attorney have to be notarized?
Yes — in Washington, a financial power of attorney must be notarized to be valid (as of 2026). Source: Rev. Code Wash. §11.125.050.
What is a durable power of attorney?
A “durable” power of attorney stays in effect even if you later become incapacitated — which is usually the point of having one. A non-durable POA ends if you lose capacity. Set “durable” in the form to keep the agent’s authority in place; this is the more common choice for planning ahead.
What powers can I give my agent?
You can grant broad authority (banking, real estate, bills, taxes, insurance) or limit it to specific tasks. List exactly what you want your agent to handle in the “powers” field. Some acts (like real estate) may need extra formalities to be recorded in Washington.
Can I revoke it later?
Yes. You can revoke a power of attorney at any time while you have capacity by notifying your agent in writing (and any institution relying on it). Keep the signed original safe and give copies only to those who need them.
Is a power of attorney durable by default in Washington?
No. In Washington the document must state expressly that it survives incapacity — this template includes that language. Source: RCW 11.125.040 [2016 c 209 s 104].
How do I revoke a power of attorney in Washington?
POA terminates when the principal revokes it (RCW 11.125.100(1)(c)); agent's authority ends when the principal revokes it (11.125.100(2)(a)). No specific revocation formality in § 11.125.100. Source: RCW 11.125.100 [2016 c 209 s 110].
How does Washington compare? See the notary and witness rules in all 50 states, every rule cited to statute.
How Washington compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for Washington: Rev. Code Wash. §11.125.050 ↗.
- Washington is one of 29 of 51 jurisdictions that require notarization (21 recommend (but do not require) notarization; 1 do not require notarization).
- Washington is one of 16 of 51 jurisdictions that have no statutory form (35 publish a statutory form in the code).
- Witnesses required
Witnesses required: 0, exactly the national median.
This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 40 other states.
Witnesses required in neighboring states — Idaho (0), Oregon (0). Every neighboring state with a rule matches Washington.
Power of attorney in other states
More Washington legal forms
Different state? See power of attorney by state →