Signing checklist for Washington

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

Sign it Signed and dated by you. If you are physically unable to sign, you can sign by a mark or follow RCW 64.08.100.
Law: RCW 11.125.050, 11.125.190, 11.125.200
Notary or witnesses Sign and date the power of attorney. Then either acknowledge your signature before a notary public or have two qualified witnesses sign it in your presence. A notarized signature is presumed genuine, and businesses' duty to accept a power of attorney applies to acknowledged (notarized) ones.
Law: RCW 11.125.050, 11.125.190, 11.125.200
Who cannot witness Witnesses must be competent and sign in your presence at your request. They cannot be related to you or to your agent by blood, marriage or state registered domestic partnership. They cannot be your home care provider or a care provider at an adult family home or long-term care facility where you live.
Law: RCW 11.125.050, 11.125.190, 11.125.200

Choose your form Health Care Directive. You do not have to use it. Official text
Law: RCW 70.122.030
Sign it Health care directive: signed by you (the declarer). Durable power of attorney for health care: signed and dated by you, as for any power of attorney.
Law: RCW 70.122.030(1); RCW 11.125.050
Notary or witnesses Each document is signed and then either acknowledged before a notary public or signed in front of two qualified witnesses. The witness rules for the health care directive and for the durable power of attorney for health care are different.
Law: RCW 70.122.030(1); RCW 11.125.050
Who cannot witness Health care directive witnesses cannot be related to you by blood or marriage, cannot be people who would inherit from you under your will or by law, cannot have a claim against your estate, and cannot be your attending physician, the physician's employee, or an employee of a health facility where you are a patient. Durable power of attorney witnesses cannot be related to you or your agent by blood, marriage or registered domestic partnership, and cannot be your home care provider or a care provider at an adult family home or long-term care facility where you live.
Law: RCW 70.122.030(1); RCW 11.125.050
If you live in a nursing facility For a power of attorney, a care provider at an adult family home or long-term care facility where you live cannot be a witness.
Law: RCW 70.122.030(1); RCW 11.125.050

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