An Illinois limited power of attorney (POA) is a written document. In it, you (the principal) name an agent, also called an attorney-in-fact, to act for you only for the purposes you list. Typical uses are selling a vehicle, handling one bank matter, or signing papers for one transaction. The free Illinois limited power of attorney form on this page is a fillable PDF you can complete online, print and sign.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current Illinois law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
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Under 755 ILCS 45/3-3, what the statute calls a nonstatutory property power has four signing requirements. The principal must sign it and it must name the agent and the agent's powers. At least one witness must sign, and the principal must acknowledge the signature before a notary public.[1.2]
Nonstatutory property powers must be executed by the principal, must designate the agent and the agent's powers, must be signed by at least one witness to the principal's signature, and must indicate that the principal has acknowledged his or her signature before a notary public.
In plain words, here is what each requirement means for your POA:
The principal signs. The power of attorney must be executed by the principal, so you sign it yourself.[1.2]
The agent and the powers are named. The power of attorney must designate the agent and the agent's powers. On this form, that is the agent block and the purpose lines.[1.2]
At least one witness. At least one witness must sign to your signature.[1.2]
A notary public. The POA must show that you acknowledged your signature before a notary public. The notary may not also sign as a witness.[1.2]
No special form. Nothing in the statute invalidates or bars the use of any other or different form of power of attorney for property, so Illinois does not require one special form.[1.3]
Many people call this document a special power of attorney. If you want an agent to handle one matter, such as selling a vehicle, write only that purpose on the lines the form gives you and nothing broader.
How to Fill Out the Illinois Limited Power of Attorney Form
Fill out the Illinois limited power of attorney form in nine steps that follow the order of the form itself. The form has 36 fillable fields across four pages. You can complete it online with the FormsPal builder, or download the PDF and fill it in with the FormsPal PDF editor.
The screenshots under each step show the FormsPal Illinois limited power of attorney template filled with sample entries in blue, so you can see where each answer goes. The names, addresses, dates and amounts are examples only.
Name the principal and the agent. In the opening paragraph, write your name and address, then the name and address of the person you appoint as your agent (attorney-in-fact).Step 1: sample entries, not a real document.
Describe the limited purposes. Write each purpose on the numbered purposes lines. The Special Instructions printed below them limit the powers to these purposes, so make each one specific.Step 2: sample entries, not a real document.
Choose the effective date. Under Effective Date, initial one line only. Choose effective immediately, or effective on a date you write in.Step 3: sample entries, not a real document.
Choose the termination date. Under Termination Date, initial one option. The first option, termination when you have signed a written revocation, is at the foot of page 1. The other options continue on page 2.Step 4: sample entries, not a real document.
Finish the termination options and name a successor. At the top of page 2, initial your choice if it is a set date or termination on incapacity, and enter the date if needed. Then complete the Successor Attorney-in-Fact paragraph with your agent's name and the alternate agent's name and address.Step 5: sample entries, not a real document.
Date and sign the form. Read the paragraph above your signature first. In it you agree that a third party who holds a copy may act under the document, and that you will cover that party for claims that arise from relying on it. Then write the day, month and year after "Signed this", sign on the signature line and print your name beneath it.Step 6: sample entries, not a real document.
Fill in the acknowledgment details. On page 3, enter the county, the date, the name and title of the officer, and your name as the person who appeared. The notary public or other officer who takes your acknowledgment completes this certificate with you.Step 7: sample entries, not a real document.
Add the notary signature and seal. The notary signs on the Signature line under "WITNESS my hand and official seal" and adds the seal. You do not sign here.Step 8: sample entries, not a real document.
Complete the witness signature block. On page 4, the witness signs, prints a name, and adds an address and the date.Step 9: sample entries, not a real document.
How to Sign and Use the Illinois Limited Power of Attorney
Once the form is filled in, check it, sign it with your witness and a notary public, and share copies with the people who need to rely on it. The steps below are general practice. The Illinois signing rules are in the requirements section above.
Check the details. Read every entry again. Names should match your ID, and the purpose lines should describe only the task you want your agent to handle.
Sign with your witness and notary. Sign and date the form, have your witness complete the witness block, and take the form to a notary public for the acknowledgment. The notary may not also sign as a witness.[1.2]
Give out copies. Give a copy to your agent. If your agent will deal with a bank or another organization, give it a copy as well.
Keep the original. Store the signed original in a safe place and keep a copy close at hand.
Most problems with a limited power of attorney come from the entries on the form and from the signing. Check the points below before you sign, and again before you hand over a copy.
Writing a purpose so broad that it no longer reads as limited.
Initialing more than one line where the form says to initial one.
Leaving the effective date or the termination date unmarked.
Signing the notary's line yourself. The Signature line on page 3 belongs to the notary.
Using your notary as your witness. The notary may not also sign as a witness.[1.2]
How an Illinois Limited Power of Attorney Ends
An Illinois limited power of attorney ends when the principal dies, when the principal revokes it, or when its own terms say it ends. Unless the document states an earlier termination date, it continues until the principal's death.[1.1]
The principal dies. The agency continues until the death of the principal.[1.1]
The POA's own terms end it. This form lets you choose a termination date you write, or the point when you are determined to be incapacitated.[1.1]
The principal revokes it. The principal may revoke the power of attorney at any time, if the principal has the capacity to do so.[1.1]
Incapacity alone does not end an Illinois power of attorney. The agency continues despite any lapse of time, the principal's disability or incapacity, or the appointment of a guardian for the principal after the agency is signed.[1.1]
Choose your termination option with care. Without an earlier termination date in the POA, the statute says the agency continues until your death.[1.1]
A revocation can be made in any manner communicated to the agent or to any other person related to the subject matter of the agency.[1.1] In practice, tell your agent and anyone who holds a copy, in writing if you can.
A termination or suspension of the agent's authority is not effective against a person who acts in good faith under the power of attorney without actual knowledge or notice of it.[1.1] The form's own paragraph on page 2 says the same thing about a third party who has not yet learned of a revocation.
These answers cover the questions people ask most often about signing, witnesses, notarization and ending an Illinois limited power of attorney. Each answer follows the Illinois Power of Attorney Act, and the form on this page is one way to meet it.
How many witnesses does an Illinois limited power of attorney need?
At least one. The power of attorney must be signed by at least one witness to the principal's signature.[1.2] The form has one witness block, on page 4, where the witness signs and adds a printed name, an address and the date.
Does an Illinois limited power of attorney have to be notarized?
Yes. A nonstatutory property power needs three things at signing.[1.2]
The principal signs the POA.
At least one witness signs to the principal's signature.
The POA indicates that the principal acknowledged the signature before a notary public.
Can the notary also sign as the witness?
No. The notary may not also sign as a witness, so bring a separate person to witness your signature.[1.2]
Do I have to use a special form in Illinois?
No. Nothing in the statute invalidates or bars the use of any other or different form of power of attorney for property.[1.3]
How do I revoke an Illinois limited power of attorney?
If you have the capacity to do so, you may revoke it at any time. The statute allows revocation in any manner communicated to the agent or to any other person related to the subject matter of the agency.[1.1]
How long does an Illinois limited power of attorney last?
Unless the power of attorney states an earlier termination date, it continues until the principal's death, even if the principal later becomes disabled or incapacitated or a guardian is appointed.[1.1]
Create a high-quality Illinois Limited Power of Attorney Form online now!
Mara has been practicing estate planning and trust law in California since 2003, taking pride in helping clients of all backgrounds and asset profiles form a complete and customized estate plan. Her specialties are: estate planning, wills and trusts, trust and probate administration.
