Washington, DC asked in Consumer Law and Gov & Administrative Law for California

Q: Will California dmv accept a power of attorney document notarized by a District of Columbia notary?

Concerns transfer or sale of a Jeep located in Los Angeles, California

2 Lawyer Answers

A: Give it a try, and find out. In my experience, the DMV people are not too particular. I think it will work out ok for you.

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: It is possible that the California DMV will accept a power of attorney document notarized by a District of Columbia notary, but it ultimately depends on California state law and the policies of the specific DMV office you are dealing with.

In California, a power of attorney document must be signed by the principal (the person granting the power) and notarized or witnessed by two adults who are not related to the principal by blood, marriage, or adoption. However, California law does not require that the notary be located in California specifically.

It's always a good idea to check with the DMV office where you will be conducting the transaction to confirm their specific requirements for power of attorney documents. They may have their own policies or preferences when it comes to out-of-state notaries or other requirements.

If you have any concerns or questions about the legal validity of a power of attorney document notarized in another state, you may want to consult with an attorney who specializes in estate planning or power of attorney law.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.