Power of Attorney in Washington State: How It Works in 2025

A power of attorney, or POA, in Washington state is a legal document that gives someone else — called an “agent” or “attorney-in-fact” — the authority to make medical or financial decisions for you. In Washington, you’ll need your document signed by a notary public or two witnesses.

Here’s what to know about thetypes of power of attorney in Washington and how to get one.

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Requirements for a power of attorney in Washington state

A power of attorney in Washington must meet the following requirements:

• You must sign and date the power of attorney document.

• A power of attorney in Washington state must be notarized (or signed by a similarly authorized official) or signed by two competent adult witnesses who aren't the agent, related to you or long-term care providers for you^[0]

  Washington State Legislature. RCW 11.125.050. Accessed Sep 16, 2025.

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• If you name co-agents, they must make all decisions together unless you specify otherwise in the POA^[0]

  Washington State Legislature. Coagents—Successor agents—Liability.. Accessed Sep 16, 2025.

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Types of POAs in Washington state

These are the main types of POA in Washington:

• Financial POA: This type allows your agent to manage your financial affairs, which can include banking, lending and paying bills. You can create specific, limited POAs for financial matters such as preparing or filing your taxes and performing vehicle maintenance^[0]

  Washington State Legislature. Agent authority—Banks and financial institutions.. Accessed Sep 16, 2025.

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• Medical POA: Sometimes called a health care proxy or durable power of attorney for health care (DPAHC), this type gives your agent the power to make decisions about your medical care. A medical POA typically takes effect if you become incapacitated^[0]

  End of Life Washington. Durable Power of Attorney (DPAHC). Accessed Sep 16, 2025.

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• Minor POA: In Washington, you can give someone the authority to make decisions for your minor child for anywhere from one day to two years. If you need someone to have these powers for longer, you may want to consider guardianship^[0]

  Washington State Legislature. Delegation by parent.. Accessed Sep 16, 2025.

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A power of attorney in Washington can also be classified as one of the following types:

• Durable POA: This type of POA stays effective even if the principal becomes incapacitated. In Washington, POAs aren’t durable by default, so you’ll need to specify that you want your medical or financial POA to be durable with the following words: “This power of attorney shall not be affected by disability of the principal" or "This power of attorney shall become effective upon the disability of the principal"^[0]

  Washington State Legislature. Power of attorney—Termination.. Accessed Sep 16, 2025.

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• Springing POA: This type becomes effective when certain conditions are met, such as when the principal becomes incapacitated or leaves the country.

• General POA: This type gives someone broad authority to make decisions in your best interest and doesn’t limit the agent to specific tasks. In Washington, this is typically for financial POAs.

• Limited (special) POA: This type gives the agent the authority to take action only in specific categories, such as filing your taxes or paying your bills while you’re traveling. In Washington, you can use a limited POA to assign someone responsibility for a minor child for up to two years.

» MORE: Who can override a power of attorney?

Steps for getting a POA in Washington state

Here’s how to draft a valid power of attorney in Washington:

1. Decide which type of POA you need, including whether it should be durable and whether you want your agent to have limited or general authority.

2. Choose your agent. This should be a competent adult whom you trust. If desired, you can name a successor agent in case your original agent isn’t available.

3. Fill out the correct POA form with an estate planning attorney, by using online estate planning software, or by downloading a free state-specific form.

4. Have your form signed by either a notary public or two witnesses.

5. Keep the original in a safe place and give copies to your agent and any relevant financial institutions or medical providers. In Washington, you can choose to file your POA with the state, though it’s not required.

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How much does a power of attorney cost in Washington state?

The cost of a POA can vary depending on whether you hire an attorney or need to consult with a financial advisor. You can find free POA forms online, but working with a pro may be worth it to help you navigate the specific language for your needs. Notarization costs $15 to $25 in Washington, and it costs about $50 to register your POA with the state (though this isn’t required)^[0]

» MORE: How much does a financial advisor cost?

How does a POA end in Washington state?

In Washington, a POA ends if any of these things happen:

• You die.

• You revoke the POA.

• The power of attorney expires.

• The agent dies, becomes incapacitated or resigns.

• The agent and the principal were married but then get separated or divorced.

• The principal becomes incapacitated but the POA isn't durable^[0]

  Washington State Legislature. Power of attorney termination—Agent authority termination.. Accessed Sep 16, 2025.

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» MORE: Estate planning: A 7-step checklist of the basics