Signing checklist for Minnesota

The signing steps in Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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

Financial power of attorney: Minnesota

Choose your form Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney. You do not have to use it. To count as a statutory short form, the wording must be copied exactly, parts First, Second and Third completed, and your signature acknowledged before a notary. You must initial the Important Notice to Principal, and your attorney-in-fact signs an acknowledgment of the Important Notice to Attorney(s)-in-Fact (no notary needed for that). Powers you do not check are withheld. The form does not give health care powers. Official text
Law: Minn. Stat. §§ 523.23, 523.24
Sign it Dated and signed by you. If someone else signs for you, or you sign by a mark, the signature must be acknowledged before a notary public.
Law: Minn. Stat. §§ 523.01, 523.05, 523.23 subd. 3, 523.20
Notary or witnesses A power of attorney is valid when you date and sign it. A notary is required by the general rule only if someone signs for you or you sign with a mark, but the statutory short form must be notarized, and a power of attorney used for real estate must be acknowledged so it can be recorded.
Law: Minn. Stat. §§ 523.01, 523.05, 523.23 subd. 3, 523.20
The agent signs too On the statutory short form, the attorney-in-fact signs an acknowledgment of the Important Notice to Attorney(s)-in-Fact before acting. For forms signed on or after January 1, 2014, this acknowledgment is one condition for a business to be liable if it refuses the form.
Law: Minn. Stat. §§ 523.01, 523.05, 523.23 subd. 3, 523.20
If it may be used for real estate When the attorney-in-fact signs a recordable document, the power of attorney and related affidavits are also recordable if authenticated for record. On the statutory short form, using a street address instead of a legal description makes the real property power invalid for real estate transactions.

Health care directive: Minnesota

Choose your form Health Care Directive. You do not have to use it. Official text
Law: Minn. Stat. §§ 145C.05, 145C.16
Sign it Signed by you, or by another person you authorize to sign for you. It must be dated.
Law: Minn. Stat. §§ 145C.03, 145C.16
Notary or witnesses The directive must be in writing, dated, state your name, and be signed by you. Your signature must be verified either by a notary public or by two adult witnesses. It must include health care instructions, an agent, or both.
Law: Minn. Stat. §§ 145C.03, 145C.16
Who cannot witness Your health care agent or alternate agent cannot be a witness or the notary. At least one witness cannot be a health care provider giving you direct care, or an employee of one, on the day you sign. Witnesses must be at least 18. A notary may be an employee of your health care provider.
Law: Minn. Stat. §§ 145C.03, 145C.16

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

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