A California power of attorney is a document that lets you name a person you trust, called your agent, to act for you when you cannot act for yourself. The California power of attorney forms below cover money, health care, a child, taxes, real estate and vehicles. You can build one online or download a free template.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current California law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
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The entries below range from durable and medical powers of attorney to tax, vehicle and revocation forms. Each entry shows other names for the power of attorney, its signing requirements and a free template to download. Pick the one that matches the task you want your agent to handle. In California, a durable, general, limited or real estate power of attorney must be either acknowledged before a notary public or signed by at least two witnesses who meet the law's requirements.[1]
Durable power of attorney form in California is a template you can fill out and sign if you want to let someone make decisions about your finances and relevant matters if you are incapable. Such forms become extremely helpful if a principal (who has previously signed the document) faces a harsh illness or any incident that leads to incapacity.
| Also Known As | California DPOA |
| Signing Requirements | Notary or Two (2) Witnesses |
| Download | PDF Template |
Medical power of attorney in California is called the Advance Health Care Directive form. The document allows you to choose someone from your family, friends, or any other individual who will be eligible to decide everything regarding your health care if you are unable to do so.
| Also Known As | Health Care POA or MPOA |
| Signing Requirements | Notary or Two (2) Witnesses |
| Download | PDF Template | Advance Health Care Directive |
General power of attorney is a legal form with which you can share your rights to operate your own property and finances with other people. For instance, if you want to grant your spouse the right to use your money, the form will work. However, it becomes invalid when you either die or become incapacitated.
| Also Known As | General (Financial) POA |
| Signing Requirements | Notary or Two (2) Witnesses |
| Download | PDF Template |
Limited power of attorney is a form you can use if you need to transfer only certain responsibilities to your agent, friend, or family member.
| Also Known As | Special POA |
| Signing Requirements | Notary or Two (2) Witnesses |
| Download | PDF Template |
Child power of attorney in California is called the Petition for Appointment of Guardian for Minor(s) and allows parents to choose a certain person who they trust to care about their child (or children) when the parents are absent.
| Also Known As | Minor POA |
| Signing Requirements | Petitioner(s) and Agent(s) |
| Download | PDF Template | Petition for Appointment of Guardian for Minor(s) |
Real estate power of attorney form allows any real property owner to select someone who will deal with this property when the owner is unavailable: for instance, selling, purchasing, renting, and other actions.
| Also Known As | Limited Real Estate POA |
| Signing Requirements | Notary or Two (2) Witnesses |
| Download | PDF Template |
State tax power of attorney (FTB 3520 in California) lets a principal designate an agent or accountant who will complete all operations tied to the principal’s taxes. The agent will also interact with the California Tax Service Center on the principal’s behalf.
| Also Known As | Tax POA |
| Signing Requirements | Principal |
| Download | FTB 3520 |
Vehicle power of attorney (form REG 260) proposed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles is used when a vehicle owner needs to select a person who will be able to complete various actions with the vehicle: for instance, to register the vehicle or get a title certificate.
| Also Known As | DMV POA |
| Signing Requirements | Principal Only |
| Download | PDF Template | REG 260 |
Revocation power of attorney is a form that cancels any POA forms created by the principal. If a principal wants to make a POA invalid, they should create a revocation form and send it to all their agents.
| Also Known As | POA Termination Form |
| Signing Requirements | Notarization is Advised |
| Download | PDF Template |
Power of attorney templates are used in every state. Explore some other popular POA forms regularly filled out by people.
Use our document maker to customize any template on FormsPal to your requirements. Here’s a list of other popular California forms we offer.
A power of attorney is a written authorization in which you, the principal, name another person, the agent, to act for you. The powers can be broad or limited to one task, depending on the type you choose. The sections below show how to sign one, which type fits your task and how to pick your agent.
A California durable, limited or general power of attorney must be signed either by the principal or, in the principal's name, by another adult in the principal's presence and at the principal's direction. A California durable, limited or general power of attorney must be either acknowledged before a notary public or signed by at least two witnesses.[1]
The right power of attorney depends on what you want your agent to do. Match your task to a row in the table below, then open its entry above to get the template.
| Your task | Type |
|---|---|
| Give someone financial powers | Durable power of attorney |
| Let someone handle everyday finances | General power of attorney |
| Hand off one specific matter | Limited power of attorney |
| Name someone to make health care decisions | Medical power of attorney (Advance Health Care Directive) |
| Let someone look after your child | Child power of attorney (Petition for Appointment of Guardian for Minor(s)) |
| Sell or rent a property | Real estate power of attorney |
| Deal with California tax matters | State tax power of attorney (FTB 3520) |
| Get a title or register a vehicle | Vehicle power of attorney (REG 260) |
| Replace or stop an agent | Revocation of power of attorney |
Each entry in the list above shows its own signing requirements. Check the entry for the power of attorney you pick before you sign, and ask an attorney if you are not sure.
Your agent acts for you, so choose carefully. Talk with the person before you sign, so the role does not come as a surprise. Then ask yourself three questions about the person you have in mind:
Most problems with a power of attorney come from small oversights, not big ones. A short check once the form is filled in saves your agent and your family time later. Go through this list and compare it with your own plan:
If you want to be sure the choice fits your situation, talk it over with an attorney who knows California practice. The agent you pick matters more than any other part of the form, so take your time with that choice.
The state also has its own versions for health care agents, guardians of minors, vehicle transactions and taxes. You can download each one from its entry above. For the full text of the law and the statutory form, see the list below.
Governing Laws:
If your situation is complex or you are not sure which power of attorney fits, ask an attorney. FormsPal provides templates and general information, not legal advice. An attorney can also explain how your choices fit your own family and property.
Yes. Use the Create My Document button at the top of this page. You answer a few questions, then save, print or download your power of attorney. You can also download one of the free PDF templates listed above.
Use the California revocation form listed above. After you sign it, give a signed copy to your agent so your agent knows to stop acting for you.
Every entry in the list has a PDF template link in its Download row. Pick the power of attorney you need and click the link.
General information, not legal or tax advice.
