Signing checklist for Indiana

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

Financial power of attorney: Notarized or signed by two adult witnesses
Health care directive: Notarized or signed by two adult witnesses

Financial power of attorney: Indiana

Sign it Signed by you, or at your direction by another person (a notary must then state that the person signed at your direction).
Law: IC 30-5-4-1, 30-5-4-1.3, 30-5-4-1.5, 30-5-3-3(e)
Notary or witnesses A power of attorney must be in writing, name an attorney in fact, give the attorney in fact power to act for you, and be signed by you (or at your direction) either in front of a notary public or in front of two attesting witnesses who sign in your presence and each other's. A witness-signed power of attorney that will be used to sign documents to be recorded (such as a deed) needs a witness's proof attached to be recorded.
Law: IC 30-5-4-1, 30-5-4-1.3, 30-5-4-1.5, 30-5-3-3(e)
Who cannot witness Anyone competent to be a witness in Indiana may witness. A witness-signed power of attorney is void if a subscribing witness has an interest in it (the witness is named as attorney in fact or successor, gets a power or benefit under it, or is the spouse or descendant of such a person) and the document cannot be proved without that witness.
Law: IC 30-5-4-1, 30-5-4-1.3, 30-5-4-1.5, 30-5-3-3(e)
If you sign electronically Indiana allows electronic powers of attorney signed with electronic signatures under IC 30-5-11, with its own witnessing and self-proving rules.
Law: IC 30-5-4-1, 30-5-4-1.3, 30-5-4-1.5, 30-5-3-3(e)
If it may be used for real estate The attorney in fact does not have to record the power of attorney to act, but must record it before presenting for recording any document they signed (such as a deed); the county recorder cannot accept such a document if the power of attorney is unrecorded, and the document must cite the recorded power of attorney. To be recorded, the power of attorney must meet recording requirements (notary and preparation statements), or, if witness-signed, have a witness's proof attached.

Health care directive: Indiana

Sign it Signed by you, or by another adult at your specific direction in your presence (that person cannot be a witness, the notarial officer, or a health care representative named in it).
Law: IC 16-36-7-28, 16-36-7-30, 16-36-7-31
Notary or witnesses Sign the advance directive in front of two adult witnesses (at least one not your spouse or relative) or in front of a notarial officer who completes a notarial certificate. You do not have to use any particular form. Give a complete copy to each named health care representative whose authority is immediately effective, and to your health care provider.
Law: IC 16-36-7-28, 16-36-7-30, 16-36-7-31
Who cannot witness Two adult witnesses must sign in your presence; at least one of them cannot be your spouse or other relative. The person who signs for you cannot be a witness.
Law: IC 16-36-7-28, 16-36-7-30, 16-36-7-31
If you sign electronically Electronic signatures are allowed, and a remote online or electronic notarization under IC 33-42-17 satisfies the notary option. Witnesses can be 'present' by audiovisual technology as defined in the chapter; if that is impossible or impractical, witnesses (not a notary) may use telephonic interaction, and the directive must say so.
Law: IC 16-36-7-28, 16-36-7-30, 16-36-7-31

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

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