Pennsylvania · 20 Pa.C.S. §§5601–5608.1Pennsylvania power of attorney at closing: notary, two witnesses, the notice and the agent's acknowledgment

In Pennsylvania a power of attorney must be dated and signed by the principal – by signature or mark, or by another individual at the principal's direction if the principal can't sign (20 Pa.C.S. §5601(b)(1)). The signature must be acknowledged before a notary public or other authorized person who isn't the agent, and witnessed by two individuals aged 18 or older who aren't the person who signed for the principal, the agent, or the notary (§5601(b)(3)). The power must begin with the statutory notice in capital letters, signed by the principal; without it, if the agent's authority is challenged, the agent has to show the exercise of authority is proper (§5601(c)). And the agent has no authority to act until the agent has signed and attached an acknowledgment of the agent's duties in substantially the statutory form (§5601(d)). A person that in good faith accepts a power of attorney without actual knowledge of a problem may rely on it, and may request an agent's certification under penalty of perjury or an affidavit under §5606, an English translation, or an opinion of counsel with a written reason (§5608). It must accept the power, or make one of those requests, within seven business days after presentation, and accept within five business days after receiving what it asked for, without requiring a different form – unless an exception applies, such as a power not executed as §5601(b) requires, a missing agent acknowledgment, or a good-faith belief that the power isn't valid or the agent lacks authority (§5608.1(a)–(b)).