Attorney-in-Fact
Also called: agent under POA, agent
The person granted authority to act on behalf of a principal under a power of attorney. Despite the title, an attorney-in-fact is **not** an attorney at law and has no authority to practice law or give legal advice.
When an attorney-in-fact signs a document on behalf of the principal, the signer named on your notarial certificate is the attorney-in-fact, signing “in a representative capacity” (§ 302). Identify the attorney-in-fact under § 307 the same as any other signer; do not identify or reference the absent principal as the appearing party. Standard certificate language reads: “On this day, [Agent Name] personally appeared before me as attorney-in-fact for [Principal Name] and acknowledged executing this instrument for the purposes therein contained.”
Source: 57 Pa.C.S. § 302 — Definition of 'in a representative capacity' — link
See also: power-of-attorney, principal, unauthorized-practice-of-law
This page is educational information, not legal advice. Pennsylvania notary law changes; always verify against the current version of RULONA (57 Pa.C.S. §§ 301–331) and 4 Pa. Code at pa.gov. Consult a PA-licensed attorney for specific situations.