Power of Attorney (POA) Notary Services in Birmingham, AL

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows one person to give another person authority to act on their behalf. In Alabama, many Power of Attorney documents must be properly notarized to be accepted by banks, financial institutions, healthcare providers, and other organizations.

This page explains what a Power of Attorney is, how notarization fits into the process, and what to expect when having a POA notarized.

A Power of Attorney is a document that authorizes someone you trust to handle specific matters for you, such as finances, property, medical decisions, or personal affairs.

The person granting authority is called the principal, and the person receiving authority is called the agent or attorney-in-fact.

People use Power of Attorney documents for many everyday situations, including:

• General Power of Attorney – Grants broad authority to handle financial or personal matters
• Limited or Special Power of Attorney – Grants authority for a specific task or time period
• Durable Power of Attorney – Remains effective even if the principal becomes incapacitated
• Medical or Healthcare Power of Attorney – Authorizes someone to make medical decisions
   

The signer is responsible for choosing the type of Power of Attorney that fits their situation.

Notarization helps prevent fraud and confirms that:

• The signer is properly identified
• The document is signed willingly
• The signer understands they are signing a Power of Attorney
   

Many institutions will reject a Power of Attorney if it is not notarized correctly.

To proceed with notarization, the signer must appear in person with the complete Power of Attorney document and present government issued photo identification for identity verification.

• A notary does not draft Power of Attorney documents
• A notary does not choose the type of Power of Attorney
• A notary does not explain legal rights or consequences
• The signer is responsible for understanding the document
   

Notarization confirms identity and execution — not legality or fairness of the document.

We notarize prepared Power of Attorney documents for individuals and families, ensuring the notarization meets Alabama requirements and is completed accurately.

If the Power of Attorney will be used outside the United States, a Power of Attorney Apostille may also be required.