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Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney Forms

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The motor vehicle power of attorney is used by a vehicle owner to allow another person to handle certain responsibilities on their behalf, such as, registration, obtaining a certificate of title, or selling the vehicle. In most States, this form is required to be signed in the presence of a notary public in accordance with power of attorney laws in regards to property.

Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale – If the power of attorney was created to sell a vehicle on the owner’s behalf, this State-specific document will be required to facilitate the transaction.

By State

Table of Contents

What is a Vehicle Power of Attorney?

Situations often occur when an owner of a vehicle (known as the “Principal”), which could be a company or an individual, needs the help of another person (known as the “Agent”) to handle vehicle-related tasks. You may choose whether to make your Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney specific or cover a broad range of purposes.

Use a Vehicle Power of Attorney if:

  • You are unable to physically attend to the needs of your vehicle.
  • Need an employee to file the appropriate paperwork/registration/title for a company vehicle.
  • You need to appoint an attorney-in-fact to transfer title to a vehicle.

How to Use a Vehicle Power of Attorney

Before completing a Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney, you need to obtain the vehicle’s information including the Year, Make, Model, Style, Vin Number and Odometer (Milage Count). This information will be inputted into your Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney. Once you have this basic information, you need to choose an attorney-in-fact who will be acting on your behalf in regards to your vehicle.

Once your Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney is complete, it is necessary that the vehicle’s owner sign the document along with the signature of a Notary Public.

How to Give Vehicle Power of Attorney

Whether a vehicle needs to be titled, registered, purchased or sold, the owner can elect to choose someone else to handle these decisions through the use of a motor vehicle power of attorney form. The owner, known as the “Principal”, will be required to complete the form and sign in the presence of a notary public.

Step 1 – Gather Vehicle Information

The owner will have to gather their ownership records including:

  • Certificate of Title;
  • Registration;
  • Proof of Insurance;
  • License Plates; and
  • any Other Documents that may be required by the local motor vehicle office.

This information will be used to certify the owner and verify vehicle information.

Step 2 – Select the Agent

Select an individual or company to handle the owner’s requests. This should be someone that is trustworthy and can handle the responsibility that is given to them.

Step 3 – Choose Powers

If the powers are restricted, make sure to define the agent’s limitations. For example, if the agent is only allowed to register the vehicle make sure to write it in a clear manner. Many vehicle power of attorney forms are written to allow someone else to sell a vehicle, therefore, make sure to write the form specific to the owner’s needs.

Vehicle Bill of Sale – Use as a purchase contract for a vehicle between a buyer and seller.

Step 4 – Signing in Front of a Notary Public

After downloading and writing the form, the principal will be required to authorize in the presence of a notary public. This can be completed any of the following ways:

After the form is notarized the agent will be able to begin acting on their newly acquired powers.

How to Write a Vehicle Power of Attorney

It is best to use the State specified vehicle power of attorney document when writing. If your State does not have a specific form, you may use the generic one provided and fill-in.

Step 1 – Principal and Agent

In the first field, enter the name of the Principal (Vehicle Owner) including their mailing address. Follow by doing the same for the Agent (attorney-in-fact). To complete this step, input which State the vehicle is or will be registered.

Step 2 – Vehicle Information

Enter the Following information:

  • The year of the vehicle
  • Make
  • Model
  • Style
  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
  • Odometer reading

Step 3 – Vehicle’s Owner

If the vehicle’s owner is an Individual, input the owner’s date of birth and their social security number. If the vehicle is owned by a Company, enter a federal ID/EIN number. In our example, the vehicle is owned by an individual.

Step 4 – Signature(s)

  • Principal’s signature
  • Date of signature in mm/dd/yyyy format

Step 5 – Notarization

  • The notary shall witness the Principal’s signature
  • Notary shall then complete all of the required information in acknowledgment of the validity of the form
  • The notary shall affix their official seal

Signing Requirements

State Form Signing Requirements
Alabama MVT 5-13 Notarize
Alaska Form 847 Notarize
Arkansas N/A N/A
California REG 260 Owner of Vehicle
Colorado DR 2175 Notarize
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

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