Sign the check in the account holder's name, then add your title below
When you sign a check as power of attorney, you are signing on behalf of someone else—the person who gave you that authority. The bank needs to see both the account holder's name and your role so they know the signature is authorized, not fraudulent.
The standard format is: write the account holder's name on the signature line, then on the next line write "by [Your Name], Power of Attorney" or "by [Your Name], POA." Some banks accept variations like "[Account Holder Name], by [Your Name], Attorney in Fact," but the first format is most widely recognized and causes the fewest delays at the teller window.
Before you sign any check, confirm that your power of attorney document actually grants you the authority to handle financial matters. Some POA documents limit you to specific accounts, specific dollar amounts, or specific types of transactions. If your authority is limited, signing outside those limits can create legal problems for both you and the account holder.
Key Takeaways
- Write the account holder's name on the signature line, then add "by [Your Name], Power of Attorney" on the line below.
- The bank may ask to see your power of attorney document before cashing the check, so carry a certified copy with you.
- Some banks require you to register your POA with them before they will accept checks signed in this format.
- If your power of attorney is limited to certain accounts or dollar amounts, you cannot sign checks that exceed those limits.
- A check signed incorrectly as POA may be rejected or delayed, so verify the bank's requirements before you sign.
What to bring to the bank when you present the check
Banks vary in what they require before they will cash or deposit a check signed by a power of attorney. Most will ask to see your power of attorney document itself—not a photocopy, but the original or a certified copy. A certified copy is a photocopy that has been stamped and signed by a notary or court clerk to confirm it matches the original.
Bring a government-issued photo ID as well. The teller will compare your signature on the check to your ID and may ask you to sign something in front of them to verify the signature is yours. If the check is large or if the account is inactive, the bank may require additional verification or may need to contact the account holder directly.
Some banks ask you to register your power of attorney with them before you attempt to use it. This means visiting the bank in person, showing your POA document and ID, and filling out a form that the bank keeps on file. Once registered, future checks may be processed faster because the bank already has your information. Call the bank ahead of time to ask whether registration is required.
Differences between a durable POA and a limited POA
A durable power of attorney remains valid even if the account holder becomes incapacitated or mentally unable to manage their own affairs. A limited power of attorney is valid only for specific purposes or for a specific time period. The way you sign the check is the same either way, but the scope of what you are allowed to sign is different.
If your POA document says you can only sign checks for medical expenses, or only for amounts under $5,000, or only from a specific account, then you are legally bound by those limits. Signing a check outside your authority—even if the account holder would have approved it—can expose you to liability. The bank may also refuse to cash the check if they notice the limit has been exceeded.
Read your power of attorney document carefully before you sign anything. If you are unsure whether a particular check falls within your authority, contact the account holder or their attorney before signing. It is better to ask than to sign a check that creates a legal problem later.
What happens if the bank rejects your check
A check signed as power of attorney can be rejected for several reasons: the signature format does not match the bank's requirements, the POA document is expired or was not properly notarized, the bank has no record of your POA registration, or the check exceeds the limits in your authority.
If a check is rejected, the bank will usually tell you why. If the problem is the signature format, you can ask the teller what format they prefer and sign a new check. If the problem is that your POA is not registered with the bank, you will need to register it before trying again. If the problem is that the check exceeds your authority, you cannot sign it at all—the account holder or another authorized person will need to sign instead.
Do not attempt to sign the same check twice or to alter a rejected check. Bring it back to the account holder or destroy it, and ask the bank what format or documentation they need before you sign a replacement check.
Registering your power of attorney with the bank
Many banks require you to register your power of attorney before they will accept checks signed in your name. Registration is a one-time process that creates a record the bank can reference every time you present a check.
To register, visit the bank in person with your original or certified power of attorney document and a government-issued photo ID. Ask to speak with a manager or someone in the accounts department—the teller at the window may not have the authority to register a POA. You will fill out a form (the bank provides this) that includes your name, the account holder's name, and the scope of your authority. The bank will keep a copy on file.
Some banks charge a small fee to register a power of attorney; others do not. Ask about the fee before you begin the process. Once registered, you should receive written confirmation. Keep this confirmation with your copy of the POA document, because you may need to show it if you present a check at a different branch.
Signing checks for a deceased account holder
A power of attorney ends when the account holder dies. You cannot sign checks on behalf of a deceased person, even if you have a valid POA document. The account becomes part of the deceased person's estate, and only the executor or administrator of the estate can access the funds.
If you signed a check as POA before the account holder died, and the check has not yet been cashed, contact the bank when ready to stop payment. If the check has already been cashed, the situation is more complicated and may require the executor to work with the bank and possibly an attorney.
If you are the executor of the estate, you will sign checks differently—as executor, not as power of attorney. The bank will ask to see your letters testamentary or letters of administration (the court documents that prove you are the executor) before accepting checks signed in that capacity.
Common mistakes when signing checks as POA
The most common mistake is signing only your own name without the account holder's name. This makes the check look like you are the account owner, which the bank will reject. Always write the account holder's name first, then add your title.
Another mistake is forgetting to bring the power of attorney document to the bank. Even if you have registered your POA, the teller may ask to see it again, especially if you are presenting a large check or if the account is inactive. Carry a certified copy with you every time you present a check.
A third mistake is signing a check that exceeds the limits in your POA document. Before you sign, verify that the check amount, the account, and the purpose all fall within your authority. If you are unsure, contact the account holder or their attorney.
Some people also make the mistake of using an abbreviation like "POA" without spelling out "Power of Attorney." While some banks accept abbreviations, spelling it out in full reduces the chance of confusion or rejection. Use "Power of Attorney" rather than "POA" to be safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sign a check as POA if the account holder is still alive?
Yes. A power of attorney allows you to sign checks on behalf of the account holder while they are alive. The account holder does not need to be incapacitated or unable to sign themselves—they straightforward need to have granted you the authority to do so in the POA document. Once the account holder dies, your authority ends.
What if the bank has never heard of power of attorney?
Most banks are familiar with power of attorney, but if you encounter a teller who is not, ask to speak with a manager or someone in the accounts department. Bring your original or certified POA document and your ID. If the bank continues to refuse, you may need to contact the bank's main office or consider moving the account to a bank that is more familiar with POA procedures.
Do I need to notarize my signature on the check?
No. The check itself does not need to be notarized. However, your power of attorney document must have been notarized when it was created. The bank will verify that the POA document is valid by checking the notary seal and signature on that document, not on the check.
Can I sign a check as POA if I am also a co-owner of the account?
Yes, but you should sign as the account owner, not as power of attorney. If you are a co-owner, you have the right to sign checks in your own name without needing to reference the POA. Using the POA format when you are a co-owner can create confusion and may slow down processing.
What if the check is rejected and I need the money right away?
Contact the bank when ready to find out why the check was rejected. If the problem is the signature format or missing documentation, you can usually resolve it the same day by visiting the bank in person with the required documents. If the problem is that your authority is limited, you will need to contact the account holder or another authorized person to sign a new check instead.