Signing checklist for Utah

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

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

Financial power of attorney: Utah

Choose your form Statutory Form Power of Attorney, with optional Agent's Certification (75A-2-302). You do not have to use it. You do not have to use this form, but any power of attorney must be signed before a notary. The form says it does not authorize health care decisions. Official text
Law: Utah Code §§ 75A-2-301, 75A-2-302
Sign it Signed by you, or by another person you direct to sign your name in your conscious presence. You must have enough mental capacity to understand that you are appointing an agent to handle your financial affairs.
Law: Utah Code § 75A-2-105
Notary or witnesses Sign the power of attorney before a notary public (or another official authorized to take acknowledgments). If you live in, or are about to move into, a hospital, assisted living, skilled nursing or similar facility, you may not name the facility's owner, operator, health care provider or employee as agent unless they are your spouse, legal guardian or next of kin, or the authority is limited to helping you qualify for Medicaid.
Law: Utah Code § 75A-2-105
The agent signs too No signed acceptance is required. An agent accepts by acting as agent or by other conduct showing acceptance.
Law: Utah Code § 75A-2-105
If you sign electronically Since May 6, 2026, Utah's Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act covers durable powers of attorney: a power of attorney or signature cannot be denied legal effect just because it is electronic, and the notary requirement is met when the notary attaches an electronic signature and the other required information to the electronic document. The Uniform Power of Attorney Act's relation to the federal E-SIGN Act is in Utah Code 75A-2-402.
Law: Utah Code § 75A-2-105
If it may be used for real estate A photocopy or electronically sent copy of a power of attorney has the same effect as the original. For a real estate transaction, the copy may be recorded in the county where the property is located when attached to an affidavit of the person accepting the power of attorney.

Health care directive: Utah

Choose your form Advance Health Care Directive - optional form. You do not have to use it. Official text
Law: Utah Code § 75A-9-110
Sign it A power of attorney for health care must be in a record and signed by you.
Law: Utah Code §§ 75A-9-101(12), 75A-9-107(4), (5), 75A-9-115(3)
Notary or witnesses To name a health care agent, sign the power of attorney for health care with one qualified adult witness present (in person, by video, or in some cases by phone). No notary is needed. Health care instructions alone do not have to be written or witnessed, but the optional statutory form asks for a witness when you name an agent.
Law: Utah Code §§ 75A-9-101(12), 75A-9-107(4), (5), 75A-9-115(3)
Who cannot witness One adult witness who reasonably believes you are acting voluntarily and knowingly, and who is present when you sign or when you say the document reflects your wishes. The witness cannot be your agent, your agent's spouse or cohabitant, or (if you live or receive care in a nursing home or assisted living facility) the facility's owner, operator, employee or contractor.
Law: Utah Code §§ 75A-9-101(12), 75A-9-107(4), (5), 75A-9-115(3)
If you sign electronically The witness counts as present if in the same place, by real-time audio-video, or by real-time audio if the witness knows you or can confirm your identity by your answers. A directive, a revocation or a signature cannot be denied legal effect just because it is electronic.
Law: Utah Code §§ 75A-9-101(12), 75A-9-107(4), (5), 75A-9-115(3)
If you live in a nursing facility If you live or receive care in a nursing home or assisted living facility, its owner, operator, employee or contractor cannot be your witness, and cannot be your agent unless they are your family member, cohabitant or a descendant of your cohabitant.
Law: Utah Code §§ 75A-9-101(12), 75A-9-107(4), (5), 75A-9-115(3)

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

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