What Do I Need to Sign My Healthcare Proxy in Washington?
Witness, notary, and remote online notarization (RON) requirements for healthcare proxies in Washington.
Frequently Asked Questions
Washington requires 2 witnesses for a healthcare proxy.RCW 11.125.050; RCW 11.125.400; RCW 70.122.030; RCW 7.70.065Verified Jul 15, 2026 Witnesses cannot be: Blood relatives, Relatives by marriage, Anyone who would inherit from you, Healthcare facility employees, Your treating physician, Anyone with a claim against your estate. Witnesses must be at least 18 years old.
In Washington, notarization can serve as an alternative to witnesses for a healthcare proxy.RCW 11.125.050; RCW 11.125.400; RCW 70.122.030; RCW 7.70.065Verified Jul 15, 2026 Either witnesses or notarization satisfies the execution requirements.
Yes. A healthcare proxy can be executed entirely remotely in Washington — the signing happens in a live video session with an online notary (RCW 11.125.050(1),). No witnesses are needed in the session.RCW 11.125.050; RCW 11.125.400; RCW 70.122.030; RCW 7.70.065Verified Jul 15, 2026
To execute a healthcare proxy in Washington: Find 2 adults to serve as witnesses. Review witness restrictions to ensure eligibility. Get the document notarized (standard practice, not required). Sign remotely in a live video session with an online notary
Yes. Washington has an explicit reciprocity statuteRCW 70.122.030(3)Verified Jul 15, 2026: a healthcare directive executed in another state is honored in Washington if it was valid where signed. Washington has not adopted UHCDA. Per RCW 70.122.030(3) (verified 2026-07-15), "a directive executed in another political jurisdiction is valid to the extent permitted by Washington state law and federal constitutional law" — place-of-execution keyed, not principal-domicile keyed. For the health care agent (proxy) path, RCW 11.125.060(3) recognizes an out-of-state POA if, when executed, its execution complied with the law of the jurisdiction that determines its meaning and effect under RCW 11.125.070 (default: jurisdiction of execution). The document portability tool covers reciprocity rules in detail.
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