{"id":5573,"date":"2024-01-26T15:38:38","date_gmt":"2024-01-26T20:38:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/starting-a-business\/what-is-a-power-of-attorney-agent-certification-form.html"},"modified":"2026-06-18T02:08:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T07:08:00","slug":"what-is-a-power-of-attorney-agent-certification-form","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/starting-a-business\/what-is-a-power-of-attorney-agent-certification-form.html","title":{"rendered":"What is a Power of Attorney Agent Certification Form?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What is a Power of Attorney Agent Certification Form?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Jordan Walker, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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An Agent\u2019s <\/span>Certification<\/span> Form<\/span> is a sworn statement in which an agent in a power of attorney<\/span> verifies the agent\u2019s authority<\/span> and that the power of attorney<\/span> is effective.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

A power of attorney<\/span> is a legal document in which you, the principal, give authority to someone else to handle your affairs. However, even with a valid power of attorney<\/span> document, banks and financial institutions may insist that your agent sign an \u201cAgent\u2019s Certification<\/span> as to the Validity of <\/span>Power of Attorney<\/span> and Agent\u2019s Authority<\/span>.\u201d<\/p>\n

This article will explain the Agent\u2019s <\/span>Certification<\/span> form<\/span> and how to complete it.<\/p>\n

What is a Power of Attorney<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

A power of attorney<\/span> allows you to name someone to manage your affairs. You can make a durable <\/span>power of attorney<\/span> which begins immediately and remains in effect if you are incapacitated, or you can make a springing power of attorney<\/span> where your agent only has authority based on an effective date<\/span> or contingency event (such as an incapacity<\/span> when you can no longer handle your financial life). Typically, you do not allow your agent to make your health care decisions<\/span> in a power of attorney<\/span> but instead name an agent in a Health Care Directive<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What is an Agent?<\/h2>\n

The person you choose to handle your financial transactions is your agent or attorney in fact. Since your agent has access to your bank accounts and can bind you to contracts, it is important to choose someone whom you trust. They should also be organized and financially savvy. They are charged with a fiduciary<\/span> duty to act in your best interests and can face criminal or civil penalties for abusing their powers.<\/p>\n

What Does the Agent Have the Authority to Do?<\/h2>\n

Many states adopted the Uniform <\/span>Power of Attorney<\/span> Act<\/span> which outlines general powers for your agent to handle your:<\/p>\n