IA · Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care

Make your Iowa healthcare directive.

Tell doctors what care you want and name someone to speak for you if you can't. Legally valid in Iowa. Free to create, or add secure online document storage with the $29/year subscription.

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Iowa healthcare directive requirements

Witnesses required2 witnesses

NotarizationEither two qualified witnesses OR notarial acknowledgment. Both Iowa Code §144A.3(2) (Living Will declaration) and §144B.3(1)(b) (Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care) use the same disjunctive structure: the instrument must be 'witnessed or acknowledged by one of the following methods' — (a)/(1) two witnesses meeting the §144A.3(2)(a) / §144B.3(2)-(3) qualifications, OR (b)/(2) acknowledged before a notarial officer as provided in chapter 9B. Notarization is a full substitute for witnesses.

Official formDurable Power of Attorney for Health Care

Full Iowa requirements →

How it works

1
Answer a few questions
About your care preferences and who you want making decisions.
2
Download your healthcare directive
A complete, personalized document, formatted for Iowa.
3
Sign and share
Sign with Either two qualified witnesses OR notarial acknowledgment. Both Iowa Code §144A.3(2) (Living Will declaration) and §144B.3(1)(b) (Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care) use the same disjunctive structure: the instrument must be 'witnessed or acknowledged by one of the following methods' — (a)/(1) two witnesses meeting the §144A.3(2)(a) / §144B.3(2)-(3) qualifications, OR (b)/(2) acknowledged before a notarial officer as provided in chapter 9B. Notarization is a full substitute for witnesses.. Give a copy to your healthcare agent and your doctor.

What governs a Iowa directive

Iowa's healthcare-directive statute is at Iowa Code §144B.1-144B.12 (Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care); Iowa Code §144A.1-144A.12 (Life-Sustaining Procedures Act, governing the Living Will portion of this Healthcare Directive). The official form is the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. Your directive is valid the moment it's signed under your state's witness and notary rules above; it only takes effect if your physician determines you can't make or communicate decisions yourself.

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