Signing checklist for the District of Columbia

The signing steps in the District of Columbia 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 the District of Columbia law. It does not check whether your document is valid.

Financial power of attorney: Notarized
Health care directive: Signed in front of two witnesses (no notary)

Financial power of attorney: the District of Columbia

Choose your form District of Columbia Statutory Power of Attorney Form. You do not have to use it. Optional: a document 'substantially in the following form' may be used. The form ends with a notary acknowledgment block. If the agent may sell or encumber real property, the extra notice in § 21-2603.03 must appear at the top of the first page. Official text
Law: D.C. Code §§ 21-2603.01 to 21-2603.03
Sign it Signed by you, or by another person you direct to sign your name in your conscious presence.
Law: D.C. Code §§ 21-2601.05, 21-2603.03
Notary or witnesses A power of attorney made under the District's act is not valid unless you acknowledge it before a notary public (or another official authorized to take acknowledgments). No witnesses are required by the act. If the power of attorney lets your agent sell or convey real property, it must be signed like a deed, carry the statutory real estate notice on the top of the first page, and be recorded with or before the deed.
Law: D.C. Code §§ 21-2601.05, 21-2603.03
If it may be used for real estate A power of attorney that lets the agent sell, grant or release an interest in real property must be signed in the same manner as a deed, must carry the statutory real estate notice at the top of the first page (choosing all your real property or a specific property), and must be recorded with or before the deed. If recorded earlier, the deed must refer to its recording date and instrument number at the Recorder of Deeds.

Health care directive: the District of Columbia

Choose your form Durable power of attorney for health care. You do not have to use it. Official text
Law: D.C. Code § 21-2207
Sign it Dated and signed by you (a competent adult). It must clearly say your attorney in fact may make health care decisions and include words such as 'This power of attorney shall not be affected by the subsequent incapacity of the principal' or 'This power of attorney becomes effective upon the incapacity of the principal.'
Law: D.C. Code § 21-2205(b)-(d)
Notary or witnesses Sign and date the durable power of attorney for health care with two adult witnesses who also sign. A notary is not part of the statutory rule. The Natural Death Act declaration has its own, stricter witness rules.
Law: D.C. Code § 21-2205(b)-(d)
Who cannot witness Two adult witnesses must sign and affirm you were of sound mind and free from duress. Neither witness can be you, your health care provider or an employee of your health care provider. 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 current will or by law.
Law: D.C. Code § 21-2205(b)-(d)

After signing

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.

Signing checklist

This checklist lists the signing rules in The District of Columbia law. It does not check whether your document is valid.

Free help in the District of Columbia

Report abuse or exploitation

Adult Protective Services, D.C. Department of Aging and Community Living (24-hour hotline) · 202-541-3950