Make your Virginia healthcare directive.

How it works

1. 1

   Answer a few questions

   About your care preferences and who you want making decisions.

2. 2

   Download your healthcare directive

   A complete, personalized document, formatted for Virginia.

3. 3

   Sign and share

   Sign in front of 2 adult witnesses. A notary is not required, but notarization is recommended. Not everyone can witness it, so read the witness statement on the document before you choose. Give a copy to your doctor and to any healthcare agent and alternate agent you named.

What governs a Virginia directive

Virginia's healthcare-directive statute is at Va. Code §54.1-2981 et seq. The official form is the Advance Medical Directive. 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.

Witness rules for your Virginia directive

Va. Code §54.1-2983 requires a written advance directive to be signed by the declarant in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, who must be competent adults. Virginia imposes no statutory list of disqualified witnesses and does not categorically bar the principal's spouse or a blood relative from witnessing an advance medical directive. Disinterested adults who are not the health care agent or alternate agent named in the directive and who are not entitled to any portion of the principal's estate remain sound practice, but using a spouse or blood relative as a witness does not by itself invalidate the directive under Virginia law.