North Carolina Vehicle Power of Attorney

Introduction

Key Things to Know

1. 1

   MVR-63 is the Division of Motor Vehicles power of attorney for a North Carolina vehicle: a single page on which the owner names an attorney who may sign any certificate of title covering the described vehicle in whatever manner necessary to effect the transfer of such title, apply for a duplicate of it, or apply for a new certificate of title.

2. 2

   The owner signs in front of a notary. MVR-63 prints an acknowledgment that reads: I certify that the following person(s) personally appeared before me this day, each acknowledging to me that he or she voluntarily signed the foregoing document for the purpose stated therein and in the capacity indicated, followed by the notary signature, printed name, seal and commission expiry lines.

3. 3

   MVR-63 may not be used when title is held by a lienholder. The form's footnote states that titles held by a lienholder either physically or electronically will require a MVR-63A, Secure Power of Attorney.

4. 4

   Before describing the vehicle, the signer marks a capacity box on MVR-63: buyer, seller or legal owner. The vehicle block then asks for year, make, body style, series and VIN, which is more description than most state powers of attorney ask for.

5. 5

   The appointment is irrevocable on the face of the form. MVR-63 says the undersigned does hereby authorize and irrevocably appoint, and it ratifies and confirms whatever action the attorney may take by virtue of it.

6. 6

   When the paperwork is signed by the power of attorney, NCDMV requires a black and white copy of the owner's valid driver license to be submitted with it.

7. 7

   On a transfer, the back of an original North Carolina title must be completed by both the original owner and the recipient and must itself be notarized, so plan for the notary on the title as well as on MVR-63.

North Carolina Requirements for Vehicle Power of Attorney

• NCDMV Form MVR-63, Power of Attorney

  North Carolina uses form MVR-63, printed under the title Power of Attorney and published by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles, N.C. Department of Transportation. The posted revision is marked Rev. 04/26. It is a single page covering one described motor vehicle.

• Notary Acknowledgment Printed on the Form

  MVR-63 prints a notary acknowledgment below the owner signature, so the owner must appear in person. The notary certifies that the principal personally appeared and voluntarily signed the document for the purpose stated therein and in the capacity indicated, then signs, prints the name, applies the seal and records the commission expiry.

• Not for a Lienholder Held Title: MVR-63A Instead

  The body of MVR-63 states that it may not be used when title is held by a lienholder, and the footnote directs those transactions elsewhere: titles held by a lienholder either physically or electronically will require a MVR-63A, Secure Power of Attorney. Confirm with the lender which form of title it holds before filling anything in.

• Capacity Box: Buyer, Seller or Legal Owner

  Before the vehicle is described, MVR-63 asks the undersigned to mark a capacity: buyer, seller or legal owner. The notary acknowledgment then refers back to it, certifying that the principal signed in the capacity indicated, so the box has to match the person signing.

• Vehicle Block: Year, Make, Body Style, Series and VIN

  The description block on MVR-63 asks for year, make, body style, series and the vehicle identification number. Body style and series are asked for in addition to the usual year, make and VIN, so copy all five entries from the title rather than from memory.

• Scope: Transfer, Duplicate or New Certificate of Title

  The attorney may sign any certificate of title covering the described vehicle in whatever manner necessary to effect the transfer of such title, an application for a duplicate of such title, or an application for a new certificate of title, as the attorney may deem fit and proper. The form describes the appointment as irrevocable.

• Black and White Copy of the Owner's Driver License

  NCDMV instructs that a power of attorney can sign for the owner or owners, and that where the paperwork is signed by the power of attorney, a black and white copy of the owner's valid driver license is required when the paperwork is submitted. Print the copy in black and white and submit it with the application.

• Submitted at a License Plate Agency or by Mail

  MVR-63 goes in with the title and registration package rather than on its own. NCDMV directs owners to title and register a vehicle by going to a license plate agency or by mailing in the information its title steps set out. Note also that on a transfer the back of an original North Carolina title must be notarized as well.