What You Need to Know Before You Start
A Copart power of attorney is a document that lets someone else bid on, buy, or manage a vehicle auction account on your behalf at Copart, the online vehicle auction platform. Copart requires this form if you want to give another person authority to act in your account — whether that's placing bids, winning auctions, or handling paperwork.
The form itself is straightforward, but it has to be filled out correctly or Copart will reject it. The document names two people: you (the principal) and the person you're authorizing (the agent). You'll need to provide specific information about both, sign the form in front of a notary public, and submit it to Copart before the agent can use your account.
This is not the same as a general power of attorney from your state. Copart has its own form designed specifically for their auction system, and that's the one you must use.
Key Takeaways
- You must use Copart's official power of attorney form, not a generic state form, and it must be notarized before Copart will accept it.
- The form requires your full legal name, address, and driver's license number, plus the agent's full legal name, address, and driver's license number.
- You sign the form in front of a notary public, who then signs and stamps it — this step cannot be skipped or done electronically through Copart.
- After notarization, you upload the completed form to your Copart account or email it to Copart's customer service, and they review it before granting access.
Getting the Official Copart Power of Attorney Form
Copart does not mail the form to you automatically. You have to read it from their website or request it directly. Log into your Copart account, go to the Account Settings or Help section, and look for "Power of Attorney" or "Authorize a Representative." The form is usually available as a PDF read.
If you cannot find it online, contact Copart customer service by phone or through your account dashboard and ask them to send you the power of attorney form. They will either email it to you or direct you to the exact page where it's posted. Do not use a power of attorney form from another source — Copart will reject it if it's not their official document.
Information You Need to Gather Before Filling It Out
Before you sit down with the form, collect the details for both yourself and the person you're authorizing. You will need your full legal name (as it appears on your driver's license), your current address, your driver's license number, and your date of birth. Have the same information ready for the agent — their full legal name, current address, driver's license number, and date of birth.
You will also need to decide what authority you want to give the agent. Most Copart forms let you check boxes for specific permissions: bidding on vehicles, winning auctions, paying for vehicles, or managing the account. Read each option carefully and check only the boxes that match what you actually want the agent to do. If you're unsure, check only "bidding" to start — you can always update the form later.
Filling Out Each Section of the Form
The form is divided into clear sections. Start with the Principal Information section at the top. This is you — the person who owns the Copart account. Print your full legal name exactly as it appears on your driver's license, your street address, your city, state, and ZIP code. Then enter your driver's license number and date of birth in the spaces provided.
Next is the Agent Information section. Print the full legal name of the person you're authorizing, their street address, city, state, and ZIP code, their driver's license number, and their date of birth. Make sure the name and address match a current ID — Copart will verify this.
In the Powers Granted section, you will see checkboxes for the specific actions you want to allow. Read each one. Common options include "Authority to bid on vehicles," "Authority to purchase vehicles," and "Authority to manage account settings." Check only the boxes that explore to what you want the agent to do. If the form includes a section for the scope of authority (such as a dollar limit on bids), fill that in if it applies.
At the bottom, you will see a signature line for you (the principal) and a date line. Do not sign yet — you must sign in front of a notary public.
Getting the Form Notarized
After you fill out the form, you must have it notarized. A notary public is an official who verifies your identity and witnesses your signature. This step is required by Copart and cannot be skipped or done online through Copart's system.
You can find a notary at a bank (often free if you have an account there), a UPS Store, a FedEx Office, a local law office, or a title company. Some notaries work independently and advertise online. Call ahead to confirm they are available and ask if there is a fee — it usually ranges from $5 to $15 per signature.
Bring the unsigned form and a valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) to the notary. The notary will ask you to sign the form in front of them, then they will sign and stamp it with their official seal. The notary will also fill in their name, license number, and the date. Once the notary has signed and stamped, the form is complete.
Submitting the Notarized Form to Copart
After notarization, you have two ways to submit the form to Copart. If your account has a document upload section (usually under Account Settings or Manage Representatives), you can scan or photograph the notarized form and upload it directly. Make sure the scan is clear and includes the notary's stamp and signature.
If you cannot upload it through your account, email the notarized form to Copart's customer service email address. You can find this on the Copart website or in your account help section. Include a brief message stating that you are submitting a power of attorney form and the name of the agent you are authorizing.
Copart will review the form once they receive it. This usually takes a few business days. They will check that all information is filled in, that the notary seal is present, and that the agent's information matches a valid ID. If everything is correct, they will send you a confirmation and the agent can then access your account.
What Happens If Copart Rejects the Form
Copart will reject the form if the notary seal is missing, if information is incomplete or illegible, if the agent's name does not match their ID, or if you used the wrong form. If this happens, Copart will send you an email explaining what is wrong.
The most common reason for rejection is a missing or unclear notary stamp. If that is the issue, take the form back to the notary and ask them to add or clarify the stamp. You do not need to fill out a new form — just get the existing one re-stamped and resubmit it.
If the agent's information does not match their ID, you will need to fill out a new form with the correct information and have it notarized again. If you used the wrong form, read Copart's official form and start over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fill out the power of attorney form online and have it notarized electronically?
No. Copart requires a wet signature (your actual handwritten signature) in front of a notary public. Electronic notarization is not accepted. You must print the form, fill it out by hand or type, and sign it in person at a notary's office.
What if the agent lives in a different state than me?
The agent's state does not matter. Fill in their current address on the form, wherever they live. The notary only needs to verify your identity, not the agent's, so you do not need to have the agent present when you sign.
Can I limit how much money the agent can spend on bids?
That depends on whether Copart's form includes a dollar limit field. Some versions do; some do not. If your form has a line for "Maximum bid amount" or similar, you can fill that in. If not, contact Copart to ask if they offer a form with spending limits, or set a spending limit through your account settings after the agent is authorized.
How long does it take for Copart to approve the power of attorney?
Copart usually reviews and approves the form within two to five business days of receiving it. You will get an email confirmation once it is approved. If you do not hear back within a week, contact Copart customer service to check the status.
Can I revoke the power of attorney later if I change my mind?
Yes. You can contact Copart and ask them to remove the agent's access. You may also need to fill out a revocation form. Contact Copart customer service for the exact process, as it may vary depending on your account type.