Motor Vehicle - Power of Attorney
Power of Attorney is a legal document that authorizes one to act as the attorney or agent of the grantor (owner of the vehicle). This document may be used when buying or selling a vehicle, when issuing a duplicate title and if someone other that the owner of the vehicle is coming in to the office to obtain title for the owner.
There are several different types of Power of Attorney forms. They are as follows:
- Specific/Limited Powers of Attorney. Copies are not acceptable. This type of Power of Attorney is limited to what is defined in the document.
- General Power of Attorney. A copy is acceptable in this case. This document allows the attorney in fact to do all and every act on behalf of the client.
- Military Power of Attorney. This type of Power of Attorney may be either specific or general. It will state the type on the document. If the document is a general Power of Attorney, a copy is acceptable. If it is a limited Power of Attorney, a copy in not acceptable.
- Secure Power of Attorney. A dealer uses this type when they are waiting for a title from a lienholder or are waiting for a duplicate title.
Power of Attorney forms may not have any alterations or erasures on them or the document is null and void.
If an individual has been named Power of Attorney on a specific Power of Attorney form, that individual may not assign Power of Attorney to another person.
If an individual has been named Power of Attorney on a general Power of Attorney form, they may assign Power of Attorney to another individual to be the specific Power of Attorney.
When the grantor of the Power of Attorney form is deceased, the document is no longer valid.