Signing checklist for Oregon

The signing steps in Oregon 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 Oregon 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

Sign it A written power of attorney signed by you (the principal).
Law: ORS 127.005
Notary or witnesses Oregon's power of attorney statutes require a power of attorney in writing but do not set witness or notary requirements. A power of attorney that will be used to sell or transfer land must be acknowledged before a notary to be recorded.
Law: ORS 127.005
If it may be used for real estate To be recorded with the county clerk where the land is, a power of attorney to convey land must be acknowledged or proved in the same way as a deed. Once recorded, it can be read in court as evidence without further proof.

Choose your form Oregon Advance Directive for Health Care and Form for Appointing Health Care Representative and Alternate Health Care Representative Official text
Law: ORS 127.515, 127.527, 127.529
Sign it Signed by you (a capable adult).
Law: ORS 127.510, 127.515, 127.525
Notary or witnesses Sign the advance directive and either have two qualified adults witness it and sign, or have it notarized. Your health care representative's appointment takes effect only when they accept it, for example by signing the acceptance section.
Law: ORS 127.510, 127.515, 127.525
Who cannot witness Two adults must witness you signing, or you acknowledging your signature. On the date you sign, a witness may not be your attending physician or attending health care provider, or your health care representative or alternate health care representative.
Law: ORS 127.510, 127.515, 127.525
If you live in a nursing facility If you use witnesses and you are a patient in a long term care facility when you sign, one witness must be a person designated by the facility and qualified under Department of Human Services rules.
Law: ORS 127.510, 127.515, 127.525

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