Signing checklist for Virginia

The signing steps in Virginia 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 Virginia 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), or by another person you direct to sign your name in your conscious presence.
Law: Va. Code §§ 64.2-1603, 64.2-1617
Notary or witnesses The law only requires your signature. Acknowledging your signature before a notary makes it presumed genuine, and only an acknowledged (notarized) power of attorney gets the protections that require banks and others to accept it. To be recorded, for example for real estate, it must meet the recording rules in Va. Code 55.1-600.
Law: Va. Code §§ 64.2-1603, 64.2-1617
The agent signs too No signed acceptance is required. An agent accepts by acting as agent or by other conduct showing acceptance, unless the power of attorney says otherwise.
Law: Va. Code §§ 64.2-1603, 64.2-1617
If you sign electronically The Act applies to records and electronic signatures under its definitions and modifies the federal E-SIGN Act.
Law: Va. Code §§ 64.2-1603, 64.2-1617
If it may be used for real estate To be recorded in the land records, a power of attorney must meet Va. Code 55.1-600: the circuit court clerk records a writing with an original signature once it has been acknowledged (notarized) or proved by two witnesses.

Choose your form Advance Medical Directive. You do not have to use it. Official text
Law: Va. Code § 54.1-2984
Sign it Signed by you (the declarant), with the date.
Law: Va. Code §§ 54.1-2982, 54.1-2983
Notary or witnesses Sign the advance directive in front of two adult witnesses, who sign it too. No notary is required. If your doctor has diagnosed a terminal condition, you can also make an oral advance directive in front of your attending physician and two witnesses.
Law: Va. Code §§ 54.1-2982, 54.1-2983
Who cannot witness Two witnesses who are 18 or older must see you sign. A spouse or blood relative can be a witness. Employees of health care facilities and doctors' offices acting in good faith can also be witnesses.
Law: Va. Code §§ 54.1-2982, 54.1-2983

Registry (optional) Advance Health Care Planning Registry (Virginia Department of Health, operated through Virginia Health Information). Fee: Any fee is set by the contracted operator and may not exceed direct costs; no fee to file a revocation (12VAC5-67; Va. Code 54.1-2995). Official text
Law: Va. Code §§ 54.1-2994, 54.1-2995, 54.1-2996
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 Virginia law. It does not check whether your document is valid.