Signing checklist for Georgia

The signing steps in Georgia 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 Georgia law. It does not check whether your document is valid.

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

Financial power of attorney: Georgia

Choose your form Georgia Statutory Financial Power of Attorney - Instructions and Form. You do not have to use it. The Act does not require you to use the form; a document substantially in this form, or another document that meets the signing rules, may be used. The form covers property and money only, not health care. The 2018 version has one witness line plus a notary block, and an Important Information for Agent page. Official text
Law: O.C.G.A. §§ 10-6B-20, 10-6B-70 (as amended by 2018 H.B. 897)
Sign it Signed by you, or by another person in your presence at your express direction.
Law: O.C.G.A. § 10-6B-5 (as amended by 2018 H.B. 897)
Notary or witnesses Sign the power of attorney, or have someone sign it for you in your presence at your express direction. It must be attested in your presence by one competent witness and by a notary public (or other person authorized to administer oaths). The notary cannot also be the witness, and neither of them may be named as your agent.
Law: O.C.G.A. § 10-6B-5 (as amended by 2018 H.B. 897)
Who cannot witness One competent witness, who cannot be someone named as an agent in the power of attorney. A notary public (or other person authorized to administer oaths) must also attest your signature; the notary cannot be the witness and cannot be named as an agent. The witness and notary attest only your signature (or the signature of the person signing for you).
Law: O.C.G.A. § 10-6B-5 (as amended by 2018 H.B. 897)
The agent signs too No agent signature is required. A person accepts the job of agent by acting as agent or by other conduct showing acceptance, unless the document says otherwise.
Law: O.C.G.A. § 10-6B-5 (as amended by 2018 H.B. 897)
If it may be used for real estate When a power of attorney is recorded in connection with a transfer of real property, it must be in a form that meets Georgia's requirements for recording deeds.

Health care directive: Georgia

Choose your form Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care. You do not have to use it. Official text
Law: O.C.G.A. Chapter 32 of Title 31
Sign it Signed and dated by you (age 18 or older, or an emancipated minor, and of sound mind), or by another person at your express direction.
Law: O.C.G.A. Chapter 32 of Title 31
Notary or witnesses Sign and date the advance directive, or acknowledge your signature, in front of two qualified adult witnesses, who also sign. It does not need to be notarized. A copy of a validly signed directive has the same effect as the original.
Law: O.C.G.A. Chapter 32 of Title 31
Who cannot witness Two witnesses who are of sound mind and at least 18. A witness cannot be your health care agent or back-up agent, cannot knowingly inherit from you or gain financially from your death, and cannot be directly involved in your health care. Only one witness may be an employee, agent or medical staff member of the hospital, skilled nursing facility, hospice or other facility where you receive care. The witnesses do not have to be together or see you sign, but you must sign or acknowledge signing in their presence.
Law: O.C.G.A. Chapter 32 of Title 31
If you live in a nursing facility If you are receiving care in a health care facility, only one of the two witnesses may be an employee, agent or medical staff member of that facility, and that witness cannot be directly involved in your care.
Law: O.C.G.A. Chapter 32 of Title 31

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 Georgia law. It does not check whether your document is valid.

Free help in Georgia

Report abuse or exploitation

Georgia DHS Division of Aging Services, Adult Protective Services · 1-866-552-4464