Add Esignature To Legal Iowa Life Documents New Residents Forms For Free

Whether or not your home state calls for an official notarization by a notary public, every state in the U.S. requires your advance directive to be signed by witnesses. Some states require both witnesses and notary publics to sign advance directives.

For the most part, it will be valid, because nearly all states except health care directives from other states so long as the documents are legally valid in the state where they were made. Some states regulate the degree to which they will accept health care directives from other states.

Does a directive have to be notarized? The law specifically states that a "Directive to Physicians" does not have to be notarized. A physician, health care facility, or health care professional may not require it be notarized nor may any of them require you to use a specific form.

The form must be signed by two qualified witnesses or acknowledged before a notary public. Give a copy of the signed and completed form to your physician, to any other health care providers you may have, to any health care institution at which you are receiving care, and to any health care agents you have named.

You can get health care power of attorney forms from the Iowa State Bar Association or the Legal Hotline for Older Iowans. Review the form thoroughly to make sure you understand what you are signing. Add any specific directions regarding your desires to the document.

Advance directives do not need to be notarized, only witnessed, signed and dated. Two witnesses are required. Only one of them may be a family member or caregiver. The lack of advance directives will not impact your access to care.