Pennsylvania Advance Directive & Health Care Proxy Guide ✦
If you’re searching this, you’re already doing the responsible thing. Here’s what Pennsylvania actually requires, in plain English, nurse-guided and never legal advice.
What Pennsylvania Calls These Documents
You may see these terms used somewhat interchangeably in Pennsylvania: advance directive, health care proxy, living will, and medical power of attorney. Pennsylvania also has its own medical-orders program for seriously ill patients, commonly called POLST, which is separate from (but complements) your advance directive.
Who This Is For
Adult children helping aging parents, families facing a new diagnosis, hospice or palliative care patients, or simply anyone who wants peace of mind and doesn’t want their family to have to guess.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
- ✓ Your health care proxy, plus a backup proxy
- ✓ A general sense of your care wishes
- ✓ A current medication and allergy list
- ✓ Your doctor's contact information
Pennsylvania Signing Requirements at a Glance
- ✓ Most states require either witnesses, a notary, or both — but the specifics (how many witnesses, who can serve, whether a notary can replace witnesses) vary and can change.
- ✓ Always confirm your state's current requirements before signing, since a form completed incorrectly may not be honored by a hospital or care team.
- ✓ Some states accept notarization in place of witnesses; others require both.
- ✓ Confirm current notary and remote online notarization (RON) rules with your state's official health department before relying on this option.
Requirements can change. Always confirm current rules with Pennsylvania’s official health department before signing.
Remote Online Notarization in Pennsylvania
Status: Available. Remote online notarization is generally available in Pennsylvania, but confirm your chosen notary platform is approved before booking a session.
What Happens Without These Documents
Without a documented advance directive, your family and care team may need to make decisions without guidance from you, which can be harder during an already emotional time. Having your wishes and proxy documented in advance is one of the simplest ways to give your family one less thing to worry about.
How Before & Beside Makes This Simple
Pennsylvania Resources & Next Steps
Download the official Pennsylvania advance directive form, and use our guided digital bundle to organize everything alongside it.
Check the Pennsylvania Department of Public Health for the current official form
Get your Pennsylvania guide, organized and print-ready.
Free Starter Guide, or the Complete Digital Bundle for everything at once.
Nearby State Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pennsylvania require a notary for an advance directive?⌄
Requirements vary and can change, so always confirm current rules with Pennsylvania's official health department. Many states accept either witnesses, a notary, or both.
Can I complete my Pennsylvania advance directive online?⌄
Yes. Before & Beside walks you through a guided process to complete your documents, though signing and witnessing still needs to follow Pennsylvania's current rules.
What's the difference between an advance directive and a POLST form?⌄
An advance directive documents your wishes and names your health care proxy. A POLST form is a set of medical orders for seriously ill patients, signed by a clinician based on a conversation with you or your proxy — the two documents work together, not instead of each other.
Do I need a lawyer to complete my advance directive in Pennsylvania?⌄
Not for most people. Before & Beside provides education and guided document preparation, not legal advice — we recommend speaking with an attorney if your situation involves a complex estate or family disagreement.
Before & Beside provides education, guided document preparation, and family conversation support. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. Signing and witnessing requirements vary by state and can change; please confirm current requirements in your state and consult an attorney for complex legal, estate, or financial questions. Documents you complete with us are meant to be shared with your physician, hospice or palliative care team, and your attorney.