What Do I Need to Sign My Healthcare Proxy in Ohio?
Witness, notary, and remote online notarization (RON) requirements for healthcare proxies in Ohio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ohio requires 2 witnesses for a healthcare proxy.ORC § 1337.12Verified Jul 15, 2026 Witnesses cannot be: The person named as your healthcare agent, Your alternate healthcare agent, Blood relatives, Relatives by marriage, Relatives by adoption, Healthcare facility owners/operators, Your treating physician. Witnesses must be at least 18 years old.
In Ohio, notarization can serve as an alternative to witnesses for a healthcare proxy.ORC § 1337.12Verified Jul 15, 2026 Either witnesses or notarization satisfies the execution requirements.
Ohio allows Remote Online Notarization (RON) for healthcare proxies.ORC § 1337.12Verified Jul 15, 2026 The notarization can be completed via secure video call with an approved RON provider. The state also accepts out-of-state RON.
To execute a healthcare proxy in Ohio: Find 2 adults to serve as witnesses. Review witness restrictions to ensure eligibility. Get the document notarized (standard practice, not required). Remote notarization is available; whether the document itself may be signed electronically is unresolved
Yes. Ohio has an explicit reciprocity statuteORC § 1337.16(G)Verified Jul 15, 2026: a healthcare directive executed in another state is honored in Ohio if it was valid where signed. Ohio recognizes healthcare powers of attorney executed in another state if the document substantially complies with Ohio law (ORC §§ 1337.11–1337.17) or with the law of the state where executed. ORC § 1337.16(G). The document portability tool covers reciprocity rules in detail.
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