Washington, D.C. · D.C. Code §§21-2601.05–21-2601.20D.C. power of attorney at closing: the notary requirement and the 7-business-day acceptance rule

Under D.C.'s Uniform Power of Attorney Act, in effect since February 23, 2023, a power of attorney is signed by the principal – or in the principal's conscious presence by someone the principal directs – and isn't valid unless it's acknowledged before a notary public or another person authorized to take acknowledgments (D.C. Code §21-2601.05). A power executed elsewhere is valid in D.C. if it complied with the governing law where executed or with the federal military power of attorney rules, and a photocopy or electronically submitted copy has the same effect as the original (§21-2601.06). A person that in good faith accepts an acknowledged power without actual knowledge of a problem may rely on it, and may request an agent's certification under penalty of perjury, an English translation or an opinion of counsel with a written reason (§21-2601.19). It must accept the power or make one of those requests within 7 business days after presentation, accept within 5 business days after receiving what it asked for, and may not require a different form – unless an exception applies, such as actual knowledge of termination, a good-faith belief the power isn't valid, or a report of suspected abuse; a wrongful refusal can bring a court order and liability for attorney's fees and costs (§21-2601.20).