Signing checklist for Massachusetts

The signing steps in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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: Signed in front of two witnesses (no notary)

Sign it Signed by you (the principal) in writing.
Law: M.G.L. c. 190B, § 5-501
Notary or witnesses Massachusetts law requires the power of attorney to be in writing, and a durable power of attorney must contain words saying it survives your incapacity. The statute sets no witness or notary rule. A power of attorney used to sell or mortgage real estate must be acknowledged before a notary public so it can be recorded or registered.
Law: M.G.L. c. 190B, § 5-501
If it may be used for real estate A power of attorney used to convey real estate is subject to the law on acknowledging and recording deeds, so it must be notarized (acknowledged) to be recorded at the registry of deeds; for registered land it must be acknowledged, filed and registered with the Land Court registry district. The acknowledgment must substantially follow the form in M.G.L. c. 222, § 15 (M.G.L. c. 183, §§ 29, 32; c.
Law: 183, §§ 29, 32

Sign it Signed by you, or by another person at your direction, in the presence of two adult witnesses.
Law: M.G.L. c. 201D, §§ 2, 4
Notary or witnesses Sign the health care proxy (or have someone sign at your direction) in front of two adult witnesses, who also sign. No notary is required. The proxy must name you and your agent, say the agent can make health care decisions for you, list any limits, and say the agent's authority starts when it is determined that you lack capacity.
Law: M.G.L. c. 201D, §§ 2, 4
Who cannot witness Two adults must sign as witnesses and affirm in writing that you appeared to be at least 18, of sound mind and under no constraint or undue influence. The person named as health care agent cannot be a witness.
Law: M.G.L. c. 201D, §§ 2, 4

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