Minnesota Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney Form

What Is a Minnesota Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney?

A Minnesota motor vehicle power of attorney names an agent to deal with one vehicle for its owner. The owner is called the principal, and the person chosen to act is the agent, also known as the attorney in fact. The template on this page lists vehicle tasks such as titles, registration and license plates.

The motor vehicle POA in Minnesota enables the agent to perform several tasks on behalf of the principal. Specifically, the agent can:

• Apply for a new title or registration.
• Transfer title or registration.
• Apply for and retrieve license plates.
• Handle loan and lien transactions related to the vehicle.

In the vehicle power of attorney, you must clearly state the agent’s authority to ensure no ambiguities regarding their powers. The principal should specify the vehicle by including make, model, year, and VIN to avoid potential disputes or confusion.

Under Minnesota Statutes, Section 523.01, a power of attorney is validly executed when it is dated, signed by the principal and acknowledged by a notary public.^[1] The statutory short form in Section 523.23 is a separate, optional form, and a motor vehicle POA that does not use it must still meet these execution rules, the same as other power of attorney forms. Minnesota does not list two witnesses as an alternative to the notary.^[1]

To safely manage your vehicle affairs without being present, you can use Minnesota POA templates, which provide a legally sound framework tailored to comply with state-specific regulations.

Form Details and File Format for the Minnesota Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney

This free template is a PDF with 26 fillable fields and takes about 15 minutes to complete. The table below gives the template name, the name the state uses for it, a link to the Driver and Vehicle Services Division and the file format.

How to Fill Out the Minnesota Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney

The steps below follow the FormsPal template on this page, a power of attorney for motor vehicles. You fill it in from the top of page 1 to the acknowledgment on page 3. Each step names one part and tells you what to enter there. Gather the agent's details and the vehicle's VIN before you start.

The screenshots under each step show the FormsPal Minnesota Minnesota Motor Vehicle 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.

1. Principal and agent
   At the top of page 1, enter your name and address, then the name and address of the agent you appoint.

   

2. The motor vehicle
   Enter the vehicle's make, model, year, VIN, odometer reading and any other identifying characteristics. The powers paragraph below them is printed text. Acknowledge the powers you are granting to your agent, which include the authority to register, license, sell, transfer ownership, and handle other specified transactions related to the vehicle.

   

3. Social Security/Tax ID number and date of birth
   These two entries sit at the bottom of page 1. Fill in your Social Security Number or Tax ID and date of birth as required on the form to verify your identity. The effective date wording below them is already printed, so there is nothing to enter there.

   

4. Successor attorney-in-fact
   At the top of page 2, repeat the agent's name. If you want to name a backup, enter the alternate agent's name and address. The template text names the alternate to serve if the first agent is unable or unwilling to serve.

   

5. Signed this day of
   Enter the day, month and year, then print your name below the signature line. The signing step further down covers the signature itself.

   

6. Acknowledgment: state, county and officer
   Page 3 is completed with the notary. Enter the county, the date, the name and title of the officer and your name where the form shows them.

   

7. Officer's signature and seal
   The notary or other officer signs the Signature line near the bottom of page 3 and adds the seal where marked. Make sure the officer completes the acknowledgment section.^[1] This line is for the officer, not for you or your agent.

   

How to Sign and Use the Minnesota Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney

Once the template is filled in, a few practical steps remain before you hand it to anyone. Print the pages, check the details and keep a copy of everything you sign. It also helps to bring your photo ID to the notary visit. The steps below follow the order most people work in.

1. Sign the form. Sign and date the form in the presence of a notary public or other authorized officer to validate the POA.^[1]
2. Get it notarized. The form must be notarized to confirm your identity as the signer and the voluntariness of the signing.^[1] Follow the notary’s instructions to complete this process.
3. Keep copies. Give your agent the signed original and keep a copy with your vehicle papers. A phone photo of each page also makes a handy backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is a vehicle power of attorney useful?

It is useful when the owner cannot take care of a vehicle task in person, for example while traveling or living away. The template lets the agent act for the owner on the matters it lists, such as a title or registration.

What should I have ready before I start?

Gather these items before you open the form:

• Your full name and address
• The agent's name and address
• The vehicle's make, model, year, VIN and odometer reading
• Your Social Security or Tax ID number and date of birth
• The name and address of an alternate agent, if you want to name one

Having them on hand keeps the whole job to one sitting.

Where do I find the vehicle identification number?

The VIN is usually printed on the vehicle's title and registration card. You can also find it on the insurance card and on a plate at the base of the windshield on the driver's side. Copy it slowly, then compare each character with the title once you finish.

How long does it take to fill out the template?

Most people finish in about 15 minutes. Having the agent's details and the VIN on hand makes it quicker. Allow a little more time for the notary visit, since that part happens after you print.

Can I fill in the template on my computer?

Yes. Use the Create My Document button to answer a few questions, or download the PDF and complete it with the FormsPal PDF editor. Then print the pages for signing.

What does the successor attorney in fact section do?

It names an alternate agent on page 2. According to the template text, the alternate serves if the first agent is unable or unwilling to serve.

Which pages of the power of attorney do I fill in?

Page 1 holds the details of the owner, the agent and the vehicle. Page 2 holds the alternate agent and the date. Page 3 is the acknowledgment that the notary completes with you. Work through the three pages in that order.

Should I bring photo ID to the notary visit?

Yes. Bringing your photo ID is a sensible habit for any notary visit, so the notary can see who is signing.

Does the template include a place for a notary?

Yes. Page 3 of the template has an acknowledgment section for a notary public or other officer to complete.

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General information, not legal or tax advice.

Sources

1. Minn. Stat. § 523.01. Accessed October 15, 2026.

Mara Erlach

Writer & Attorney

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.