Ohio Power of Attorney Requirements & Free Form

Ohio requirements

• Ohio's Uniform Power of Attorney Act is codified at Ohio Revised Code sections 1337.21 to 1337.64.
• The document must be signed by the principal or by another individual at the principal's direction and in the principal's conscious presence (ORC 1337.25).
• Notarization is not an outright validity condition, but a signature acknowledged before a notary public is presumed genuine under ORC 1337.25, and the statutory form is executed with a notary acknowledgment, so signing before a notary is the practical standard.
• Ohio law does not require witnesses for a financial power of attorney.
• An Ohio power of attorney is durable by default: it survives incapacity unless the document expressly provides that incapacity terminates it (ORC 1337.24).
• Ohio publishes a statutory form at ORC 1337.60; our template is a general purpose alternative. For real estate transactions, ask the county recorder about recording the acknowledged power of attorney.

Frequently asked questions

Does an Ohio power of attorney have to be notarized?

Strictly, Ohio law makes a notarized signature presumed genuine rather than mandatory, but the statutory form is signed before a notary and institutions expect it. Signing with a notary acknowledgment is the safe course.

Is a power of attorney durable by default in Ohio?

Yes. Under ORC 1337.24 a power of attorney created under the act remains effective if the principal becomes incapacitated, unless the document expressly states that incapacity ends it.

Official sources

• https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-1337.24
• https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-1337.25
• https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-1337.60