A child power of attorney is a signed document that gives another adult, the agent, temporary authority over a child's care and everyday decisions, without going to court. A parent, or the child's guardian, signs it. The parent keeps parental rights and can revoke it. It is like the power of attorney form you might sign for yourself, but it covers a child's care, not your money.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
Build Your Document
Answer a few simple questions to make your document in minutes
Save and Print
Save progress and finish on any device, download and print anytime
Sign and Use
Your valid, lawyer-approved document is ready
A power of attorney for a child is a form that temporarily hands part of a parent's authority to another adult. The parent, called the principal, names an agent, also called an attorney-in-fact. Many parents choose a relative or a trusted friend. Some states limit who may serve, for example by residency, or by requiring a background check for someone who is not a close relative.
These forms give the agent child care authority, which you can tailor to your circumstances. Parents commonly grant the power to make medical decisions, enroll the child in school, meet with teachers, and access school records. In many states the agent cannot consent to the child's marriage or adoption, and some states exclude other decisions too.
This form covers a child's care. For decisions about your own health, you need a separate medical power of attorney.
There are plenty of situations where it might be helpful to have a child power of attorney. Here are some common examples:
A school, camp, or travel provider may ask for one if you cannot go with your child. The document lets you send someone else in your place, so the child always has an adult who can make health care decisions.
A child power of attorney is different from guardianship or a transfer of custody. The parent keeps parental rights and can revoke the document. In some states it also has these limits:
These forms are temporary. Many states cap how long the document can last, usually at six months or one year, and a few allow less or more. To keep the arrangement going, sign a new one before it ends, or renew it if your state allows. At least one state renews it automatically.
Custody and a child power of attorney can sound alike, but they are not the same. A child power of attorney lets the agent make decisions for the child's welfare for a limited time. The parent keeps parental rights, and the agent does not take them over.
You can make a child power of attorney without going to court. How it must be signed depends on the state: a notary, two witnesses, either one, or neither. A few states also want it filed with a court or an agency.
Custody, on the other hand, is decided by a court. In a divorce, for example, one parent may be awarded full custody or both parents may share it.
A court order decides custody and stays in place until a court changes it. A child power of attorney is temporary and covers only what the parent grants. Custody usually carries the full set of parental rights, while the agent holds only the powers in the document.
Guardianship is set up by a court, unlike a power of attorney for a child, which a parent creates. Both can be used when a parent cannot care for the child, but they work differently.
A parent's power of attorney is limited to the powers the parent grants. A court-appointed guardian's powers come from the court order. In some states, a parent can name a short-term guardian in writing, without a court, for a limited time.
A guardian usually takes on the child's day-to-day care and answers to the court. An agent may or may not do so, depending on what the parent grants. In some states, a court-appointed guardian can in turn delegate some powers by power of attorney.
Conservatorship is about money, while a child power of attorney covers the child's care and everyday decisions.
A court may appoint a conservator (the name varies) to manage money or property a child receives, such as an inheritance or an injury settlement. A child power of attorney is not meant for managing large sums. A conservatorship generally ends when the child becomes an adult.
| Who Creates It? | What Does It Do? | How Long Does It Last? | |
| Child Power of Attorney | A parent or guardian, without going to court | Lets another adult care for the child and make the decisions the parent grants, with some excluded | Temporary. Where a state sets a limit, it is usually six months or one year. To continue, sign a new one or renew it if your state allows |
| Custody | The Courts | Decides who has the child's care and decision-making | Until a court changes the order |
| Guardianship | Usually a court | Gives the guardian parental authority over the child | Generally until the court ends it or the child becomes an adult |
| Conservatorship | The Courts | Grants the power to manage a minor's finances | Until the court ends it, generally when the child becomes an adult |
This table shows the longest a parent's power of attorney for a child can last in each state, with the statute behind it. Some states allow longer for a parent on active military duty or for relatives, and some require a new document to continue. A dash or N/A means no verified limit is listed, not that none exists. Laws change, so check your state's page first.
| STATES | TIME LIMITS | STATE LAW |
| Alabama | One Year | Alabama Code, Section 26-2A-7 |
| Alaska | One Year | Alaska Statutes, Section 13.26.066 |
| Arizona | Six Months | Arizona Revised Statutes, Sections 14-5104 and 14-5107 |
| Arkansas | – | Arkansas Annotated Code, Section 28-68-213 |
| California | – | California Family Code, Sections 6550 to 6552 and 6910 |
| Colorado | One Year | Colorado Revised Statutes, Section 15-14-105 |
| Connecticut | One Year | Connecticut General Statutes, Sections 45a-624 to 45a-624g |
| Delaware | – | Delaware Code, Title 13, Sections 2320-2328 |
| Florida | – | Florida Statutes, Section 744.3021 |
| Georgia | One Year | Georgia Code, Sections 19-9-120 to 19-9-129 |
| Hawaii | One Year | Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 560:5-105 |
| Idaho | Six Months | Idaho Statutes, Section 15-5-104 |
| Illinois | 365 Days | Illinois Compiled Statutes, Chapter 755, Section 5/11-5.4 |
| Indiana | One Year | Indiana Code, Section 29-3-9-1 |
| Iowa | N/A | No Statute |
| Kansas | One Year | Kansas Statute, Section 38-2403 |
| Kentucky | One Year | Kentucky Revised Statutes, Section 403.352 |
| Louisiana | One Year | Louisiana Revised Statutes, Sections 9:951 and 9:952 |
| Maine | One Year | Maine Probate Code, Title 18-C, Section 5-127 |
| Maryland | 180 Days | Maryland Annotated Code, Estates and Trusts, Section 13-904 |
| Massachusetts | 60 Days | Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 190B, Section 5-103 |
| Michigan | 180 Days | Michigan Compiled Laws, Section 700.5103 |
| Minnesota | One Year | Minnesota Statutes, Section 524.5-211 |
| Mississippi | N/A | No Statute |
| Missouri | One Year | Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 475.602 |
| Montana | Six Months | Montana Annotated Code, Section 72-5-103 |
| Nebraska | Six Months | Nebraska Revised Statutes, Section 30-2604 |
| Nevada | Six Months | Nevada Revised Statutes, Section 159A.205 |
| New Hampshire | 60 Days | New Hampshire Revised Statutes, Section 461-A:19-a |
| New Jersey | One Year | New Jersey Statutes, Section 3B:12-39 |
| New Mexico | Six Months | New Mexico Annotated Statutes, Section 45-5-104 |
| New York | One Year | New York General Obligations Law, Section 5-1551 |
| North Carolina | – | North Carolina General Statutes, Sections 32A-28 to 32A-34 |
| North Dakota | Six Months | North Dakota Century Code, Section 30.1-26-04 |
| Ohio | No Fixed Term (Grandparent Form) | Ohio Revised Code, Sections 3109.52-3109.61 |
| Oklahoma | One Year | Oklahoma Statutes, Sections 10-700 and 10-701 |
| Oregon | Six Months | Oregon Revised Statutes, Section 109.056 |
| Pennsylvania | N/A | No Statute |
| Rhode Island | N/A | No Statute |
| South Carolina | N/A | No Statute |
| South Dakota | N/A | No Statute |
| Tennessee | No Statutory Limit | Tennessee Code Annotated, Sections 34-6-301 to 34-6-310 |
| Texas | Six Months, Renews Automatically | Texas Family Code, Sections 34.002 and 34.0075 |
| Utah | Six Months | Utah Code, Section 75-5-103 |
| Vermont | N/A | No Statute |
| Virginia | 180 Days | Virginia Code, Section 20-166 |
| Washington | 24 Months | Revised Code of Washington, Section 11.130.145 |
| West Virginia | One Year | West Virginia Code, Section 49-8-3 |
| Wisconsin | One Year | Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations, Section 48.979 |
| Wyoming | N/A | No Statute |
To get a child power of attorney, choose your agent, decide which powers to grant and for how long, and check whether your state has its own form. Many states cap the term. Then sign the document the way your state requires. Give copies to the agent, the school, and the doctor.
Step 1: Find a Form or Get a Custom Power of Attorney Form for a Child
Find a form made for a child, and check your state's page in the list above first. Several states require their own form, or one substantially like it. A lawyer can help if your arrangement is unusual, such as granting many powers or limiting them in a non-standard way.
Step 2: Decide On Your Agent
Choose an agent who is willing and able to care for your child. Someone who is a parent too may know better what a child needs.
A close family member or a godparent can also be a good choice to name as your agent. Some states limit who may serve, and a few require a background check on an agent who is not a close relative.
Talk with your agent about the kind of care you would like for your child, the powers you are granting, and how long the document will last. Tell your child, too, who the agent is and who to contact in an emergency.
Step 3: Customize the Powers Granted
FormsPal's form is made for a child. Choose the powers you want to grant, and write in any limits. Grant only the authority your agent needs.
Some powers a parent often cannot hand over:
Step 4: Sign the POA
The last step is to sign the document. Signing rules differ by state, so check your state's page first. States may ask for some of these:
The FormsPal child power of attorney names the parent, the child, and the agent. It also sets out the powers you grant and the dates the document starts and ends. Some states require their own form, so check your state's page before you fill this one out. The four steps below cover each part.
Step 1: Personal Information
The personal information section is a little different for a child. You list your own name and information, the child's name, your relationship, and the agent's personal information.
You will need the street address for yourself, the child, and the agent. You may also add contact information.
Add the dates the document starts and ends. Some states want the end date stated in the document.
Step 2: Alternate Agents
Use the alternate agent section to name a backup. The backup gets authority if the primary agent cannot be reached or chooses not to act.
You do not have to name an alternate agent. If you want a backup, name one in this same document rather than signing a second form. Some states allow only one such document to be in effect at a time.
Step 3: Customize Rights and Responsibilities
Choose the powers you want the agent to have. Parents commonly grant these:
You can add powers or remove them by editing the form before you sign, or by crossing out any option you do not want to grant. You may want to limit the medical options you grant. For instance, you may let the agent approve hospital admission or emergency surgery, but not decide other matters.
Once signed, the document changes only if you revoke it and sign a new one. In many states the parent can revoke at any time, and several want it in writing, delivered to the agent. Tell the school and the doctor if you do.
Step 4: Sign It the Way Your State Requires
Sign the document the way your state requires. Depending on the state, that means a notary, two witnesses, either one, or neither. Following your state's signing rules helps the school, the doctor, and others accept the document.
After signing, take care of filing and copies:
General information, not legal or tax advice.
