Georgia Revocation of Power of Attorney: How to Cancel a POA Under O.C.G.A. § 10-6B-10

What Is a Georgia Revocation of Power of Attorney?

A Georgia Revocation of Power of Attorney is a legal document used to formally cancel a previously executed power of attorney (POA). Once signed and notarized, it terminates the authority of your appointed agent to act on your behalf under the original POA. This document is governed by Georgia's Uniform Power of Attorney Act, codified at O.C.G.A. § 10-6B-10, and must comply with the statutory form requirements of O.C.G.A. § 10-6-142.

When Would You Need to Revoke a Power of Attorney?

There are several common reasons you might need to revoke a power of attorney in Georgia:

• Divorce or separation — You no longer want your former spouse acting as your agent
• Loss of trust — You suspect your agent is not acting in your best interests
• Agent becomes unavailable — Your agent has moved away, become incapacitated, or passed away
• Change in circumstances — You wish to appoint a different person as your agent
• Outdated document — Your existing POA no longer reflects your wishes or needs

Why Does Georgia Law Require Notarization?

Under O.C.G.A. § 10-6B-10, a revocation of power of attorney is effective when the principal (you) delivers a signed and notarized revocation to the agent. The notarization requirement serves several important purposes:

• Verifies your identity — A notary public confirms you are who you claim to be, preventing fraudulent revocations
• Confirms voluntary intent — The notary ensures you are signing willingly and under no duress or coercion
• Creates a public record — A notarized revocation can be filed with the clerk of superior court in the county of your domicile (O.C.G.A. § 10-6B-10(g)), giving constructive notice to all third parties
• Satisfies third-party requirements — Banks, title companies, and financial institutions typically insist on notarized documents before they will stop recognizing your former agent's authority

How to Execute a Revocation of Power of Attorney

To properly revoke a power of attorney in Georgia, follow these steps:

1. Prepare the revocation form — Use a Georgia Revocation of Power of Attorney form that clearly identifies the original POA being revoked (by date, agent name, and type)
2. Sign before a notary — Appear in person before a Georgia notary public with valid photo identification. Do not sign the form before your notary appointment
3. Deliver to your agent — Provide a copy of the signed and notarized revocation to your former agent (certified mail with return receipt is recommended)
4. Notify third parties — Send copies to banks, financial institutions, healthcare providers, and anyone else who received or relied on the original POA
5. File with the court (optional) — For added protection, file the notarized revocation with the clerk of superior court in the county where you live

Official Form and Resources

While Georgia does not prescribe a single statewide form for revocation, the Georgia Statutory Form Power of Attorney (O.C.G.A. § 10-6-142) includes revocation language in its execution section. You can find:

• Georgia Code § 10-6B-10 — The statute governing termination and revocation of powers of attorney: Read the full statute on Justia
• Georgia Statutory Form POA — The statutory form under O.C.G.A. § 10-6-142 contains revocation provisions
• Gwinnett County Superior Court — You may file a copy of the notarized revocation at the Gwinnett County Courthouse, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046

Need this document notarized? Find a trusted notary in your area on Notary of Gwinnett.