Signature Requirements: Powers of Attorney and Guardianship

The following persons may sign security instruments on a borrower’s behalf:

• An attorney-in-fact may sign the security instrument, as long as the title agent/underwriter obtains a copy of the applicable power of attorney. In jurisdictions where a power of attorney used for a signature on a security instrument must be recorded with the security instrument, the closing agent must ensure that recordation has been effected. See Requirements for Use of a Power of Attorney, for further requirements governing the use of a power of attorney.

• A court-appointed guardian may sign the security instrument if the borrower is not legally competent, provided that they have unlimited power over the ward’s affairs, including the power to hold, convey, and give a lien against real property owned by the ward, to make payments from the ward’s assets, and to permit inquiries concerning the ward’s credit. The underwriter should obtain a copy of the documents making the appointment. If the guardian in some other capacity is a party to the loan or sale transaction—for example, the seller of the property—the underwriter should ascertain that there are no material conflicts of interest.