Signing checklist for Arkansas

The signing steps in Arkansas law, step by step. Pick your documents to see them.

Checked against official sources: October 31, 2026.

Short answer

This checklist lists the signing rules in Arkansas law. It does not check whether your document is valid.

Financial power of attorney: Signed by you; the law requires no notary or witnesses
Health care directive: Notarized or signed by two adult witnesses

Choose your form Arkansas Statutory Form Power of Attorney. You do not have to use it. You do not have to use this form. It includes a notary acknowledgment block. Under Ark. Code 28-68-120, the duty of businesses to accept a power of attorney applies to an acknowledged statutory form power of attorney (or a military power of attorney). Official text
Law: Ark. Code 28-68-301 (as amended by Act 804 of 2021)
Sign it Signed by you, or by another person who signs your name in your conscious presence at your direction.
Law: Ark. Code 28-68-105, 18-12-501
Notary or witnesses You must sign the power of attorney (or have someone sign for you in your presence at your direction). The Act does not require a notary or witnesses, but a signature acknowledged before a notary is presumed genuine. A power of attorney used to convey or affect real estate must be acknowledged and recorded with the deed.
Law: Ark. Code 28-68-105, 18-12-501
The agent signs too No separate acceptance form is required; an agent accepts by acting or by other conduct showing acceptance.
Law: Ark. Code 28-68-105, 18-12-501
If it may be used for real estate A power of attorney to convey or affect real estate must be acknowledged (or proved) and certified, and recorded with any deed the agent signs under it.

Choose your form Appointment of Health Care Agent Form (adopted by the Arkansas State Board of Health). You do not have to use it. Official text
Law: Act 1264 of 2013, section 2; Ark. Code 20-6-103
Sign it In writing and signed by you.
Law: Ark. Code 20-6-103 (as amended by Act 974 of 2017)
Notary or witnesses Sign the document in writing. Then either have it notarized or have two qualified witnesses sign it, with an attestation clause. These rules apply to all advance directives, including living wills and durable powers of attorney for health care.
Law: Ark. Code 20-6-103 (as amended by Act 974 of 2017)
Who cannot witness Each witness must be a competent adult who is not your agent. At least one witness must not be related to you by blood, marriage or adoption and must not be entitled to any part of your estate under a will or by law. A witnessed directive must contain an attestation clause saying the witnesses meet these rules.
Law: Ark. Code 20-6-103 (as amended by Act 974 of 2017)

Give copies to the right people Keep the signed documents in a safe place and give copies to your health care proxy and your doctors. Some states have registries that store an advance directive for doctors and your proxy.

This checklist lists the signing rules in Arkansas law. It does not check whether your document is valid.