District of Columbia Power of Attorney Requirements
The District of Columbia’s Uniform Power of Attorney Act (D.C. Code § 21-2601.01 et seq.) sets how a Power of Attorney is signed, when it continues through incapacity, and what an agent must do. Here are the essentials in plain English, each linked to the official D.C. Code.
Based on D.C. Uniform Power of Attorney Act, D.C. Code § 21-2601.01 et seq.. Reviewed October 2026. Education, not legal advice — District of Columbia’s requirements are set by state law and can change, so confirm them with an official District of Columbia source or a licensed attorney.
Preparing to serve—or already serving—in District of Columbia?
The National Handbook explains the responsibilities. The National Workbook helps you organize the work. Use the District of Columbia information below to explore requirements, official sources, and available resources.
Requirements depend on your documents and applicable law. Confirm current information with official sources or a qualified professional in your state.
Where is the District of Columbia’s Power of Attorney law?
D.C.’s financial Power of Attorney law is the Uniform Power of Attorney Act, D.C. Code § 21-2601.01 et seq. It includes an optional statutory form (§ 21-2603.01).
Does a D.C. Power of Attorney have to be notarized?
Yes. Under D.C. Code § 21-2601.05, a Power of Attorney under the Act is not valid unless it is acknowledged before a notary public or other individual authorized to take acknowledgments. The Act does not require witnesses.
Is a D.C. Power of Attorney durable?
By default, yes. Under D.C. Code § 21-2601.04, a Power of Attorney is durable unless it expressly provides that it is terminated by the incapacity of the principal.
When does a D.C. Power of Attorney take effect?
Under D.C. Code § 21-2601.09, a Power of Attorney is effective when signed unless it says it becomes effective at a future date or on a future event, such as incapacity. The statute explains how incapacity is determined if the document does not name someone to decide.
What does a D.C. agent have to do?
Under D.C. Code § 21-2601.14, an agent must act according to the principal’s reasonable expectations (or best interest), in good faith, and only within the authority granted. Unless the document says otherwise, the agent must also act loyally, avoid conflicts of interest and keep a record of all receipts, disbursements and transactions. The principal, a guardian, a conservator and certain others can request disclosure, generally within 30 days.
Does a D.C. Power of Attorney have to be recorded for real estate?
Under D.C. Code § 21-2603.03, a Power of Attorney used to convey real property is executed like a deed and recorded with or before the deed signed under it. A recorded Power of Attorney is revoked by recording the revocation with the Recorder of Deeds (§ 21-2601.10).
What happens to a spouse-agent’s authority in a divorce?
Under D.C. Code § 21-2601.10, unless the Power of Attorney says otherwise, a spouse-agent’s authority ends when an action is filed for dissolution, annulment or legal separation.
How is a D.C. durable power of attorney for health care signed?
Healthcare decisions are covered separately by a durable power of attorney for health care (D.C. Code § 21-2201 et seq.). Under § 21-2205, it is dated and signed by the principal and two adult witnesses. A witness may not be the principal’s healthcare provider or the provider’s employee, and at least one witness must be unrelated to the principal and not entitled to any part of the estate. A sample form is in § 21-2207.
This summary is educational and may not reflect the most current law — verify against the current statutes or with a District of Columbia attorney before relying on it.
The universal rules of the role
The exact forms, witnessing, and notarization rules change from state to state — those are in District of Columbia’s essentials above.But the heart of the role is the same everywhere in the U.S. Here’s what always applies.
Your duties as an agent
Every decision is for the principal, never for you. This is the core legal duty of an agent, everywhere.
Never mix the principal’s funds with your own. Use their accounts for their expenses, and don’t borrow or lend to yourself.
Track every transaction, receipt, and major decision. Good records protect the principal — and protect you if anyone ever asks.
You can only do what the Power of Attorney actually authorizes. If it isn’t granted in the document, you don’t have the authority.
Follow what they’d want, preserve their existing estate plan where you can, and avoid anything that benefits you at their expense.
What a Power of Attorney can’t do
A Power of Attorney works only while the principal is alive. The moment they pass, it ends and the will and executor (or trustee) take over.
An agent cannot make or rewrite the principal’s will, and generally can’t change beneficiary designations unless the document specifically allows it.
Powers not written into the document — like making gifts or changing accounts — usually aren’t allowed. When in doubt, it’s probably not authorized.
When you sign correctly as the agent (not personally), you’re acting for them — you don’t take on their debts by serving.
How to sign as an agent
Always sign in your representative capacity — never just your own name on the principal’s business. A safe format anywhere is “Jane Doe, as agent for John Doe” (some institutions prefer “John Doe by Jane Doe, agent”). Signing your name alone can make you personally liable; signing as the agent makes clear you’re acting for them.
When the authority ends
- The principal revokes it — they can, at any time, as long as they’re competent.
- The principal dies — authority passes to the will or trust.
- A court appoints a guardian or conservator, or the document’s own end date or condition is reached.
One key distinction, everywhere: a durable Power of Attorney keeps working if the principal becomes incapacitated; a non-durable one ends at incapacity. Whether yours is durable is stated in the document itself.
Where to get the official forms
The official District of Columbia Power of Attorney and health care directive forms are free from the state and its official resources. Here’s where to find them — we link them as a resource so you can go straight to the source. What we provide is the plain-language help to understand and actually use them, not the forms themselves.
- Statutory power of attorney form — D.C. Code § 21-2603.01Official source: Council of the District of Columbia — D.C. CodeStatutory power of attorney form under D.C.'s Uniform Power of Attorney Act. It does not authorize health-care decisions.Open on code.dccouncil.gov →
- Forms for creating a durable power of attorney for health care — D.C. Code § 21-2207Official source: Council of the District of Columbia — D.C. CodeStatutory sample form for a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care; other forms meeting § 21-2205 may be used.Open on code.dccouncil.gov →
POA Caregiver™ is not a law firm and does not provide legal, medical, tax, or financial advice. These links are an educational resource pointing you to official sources; we are not affiliated with or endorsed by any government office. Power of Attorney and health care directive requirements vary by state and change over time. Before you sign or rely on any form, confirm it is the current, correct form for your situation with the official District of Columbia source above or a licensed District of Columbia attorney. If a link doesn’t open, search for the form by name on the official state website.
MOST (Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment): a different kind of document
MOST (Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment)
Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (M.O.S.T.) Program — DC HealthSource: DC Health (Department of Health)D.C.’s official source describes MOST for people who are terminally ill.A POLST-type form is different from a general advance directive. It is generally intended for people with serious illness, advanced medical conditions or significant frailty, when current treatment wishes need to be written as medical orders — completed with a clinician. It is not a document every adult needs.Open on dchealth.dc.gov →
Learn the whole role
The POA Caregiver Program is national and works in every state — education for the whole role, from the day you’re named agent to confident, organized caregiving, with a Certificate of Completion when you finish.
Get Updates for District of Columbia
Where to go for official help
A simple starting list of the government offices an agent under a Power of Attorney (or their caregiver) in District of Columbia may need. Click a website to open the office’s official page in a new tab.
- D.C. Adult Protective ServicesReport abuse, neglect, self-neglect or financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult, 24/7.dacl.dc.gov/service/adult-protective-services → · 202-541-3950
- D.C. Department of Aging and Community LivingServices for seniors and adults with disabilities.dacl.dc.gov → · 202-724-5626
- D.C. Attorney General: Consumer ProtectionReport problems with businesses and get consumer alerts.oag.dc.gov/consumer-protection → · 202-442-9828
- D.C. Attorney General: Elder JusticeFinancial exploitation of elders and vulnerable adults.oag.dc.gov/node/2245 → · 202-727-3807
- LawHelp.org/DCFree legal information for people living in Washington, D.C.www.lawhelp.org/dc →
- Eldercare Locator (federal)Free help finding local aging services, Area Agencies on Aging, and adult protective services anywhere in the U.S.eldercare.acl.gov → · 1-800-677-1116
- Social Security Administration (federal)Benefits, the representative payee program, retirement and disability.www.ssa.gov →
- Medicare (federal)Federal health coverage for people 65+ and some disabilities.www.medicare.gov →
- CFPB — Managing Someone Else’s MoneyPlain-language federal guides for agents under a Power of Attorney.www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/managing-someone-elses-money →
POA Caregiver™ is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with any of these offices. This list is a resource to help guide you to the right official source — nothing more. Government offices, links, and phone numbers change over time, so if a link doesn’t open, search for the office by name to find its current official page.
Some of the best help is free and official. We point you to these authoritative sources — and give you the journey, organization, and plain-language navigation on top of them. See the full national resource library →
POA Caregiver™ is not a law firm and does not provide legal, medical, tax, or financial advice, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by these organizations. They are shared as free educational resources — always confirm details with the official source or a licensed professional in your state.
Guides for every agent, in any state
Plain-English help that applies wherever you live — start with The Power of Attorney Agent’s Guide, or jump in:
What may help next
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POA Caregiver provides education, not legal, medical, financial or tax advice. Authority comes from the Power of Attorney document and applicable law, and serving as an agent is a different role from caregiving.
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