POA Pilot
Information only, not legal or financial advice. More

This guide summarizes what institutions and California law publish. Rules change and every family is different. Talk to a California-licensed attorney before signing or relying on a power of attorney.

Institutions › Vanguard

Vanguard: using a power of attorney

Brokerage Last verified 2026-10-17

Do they accept a POA?

  • Verified Important: if the account owner still has capacity, Vanguard won't accept a durable POA (DPOA) to set up ongoing access. The owner must use Vanguard's Full Agent Authorization form instead, and that authorization continues if they later become incapacitated. official source ↗
  • Verified If the owner is already incapacitated, Vanguard accepts an outside DPOA together with its Agent Certification for Incapacitated Person (ACIP) form and medical documentation from a qualified healthcare professional. official source ↗
  • Verified Vanguard may accept a certified copy of a valid DPOA for a one-time monetary or clerical transaction. It does not accept outside POAs for fiduciary accounts (trusts, organizations). official source ↗

Forms & documents

  • Verified Full Agent Authorization (Form L003): the owner's signature must be notarized with 2 witnesses present; the agent and notary can't be witnesses; all four signature dates must match; the notarization must be dated within 90 days of Vanguard receiving it. Include the last 4 digits of the owner's taxpayer ID, the accounts covered, and the agent's full SSN and home address. official source ↗
  • Verified Information-only access and limited agent authorization can be granted online for personal accounts. official source ↗
  • Verified Agent Certification for Incapacitated Person (ACIP) form, for use with an outside DPOA after incapacity. official source ↗

How to submit

  • Verified Paper form by mail: Vanguard, P.O. Box 982901, El Paso, TX 79998-2901 (overnight: 5951 Luckett Court, Suite A1, El Paso, TX 79932-1882). Return all pages. official source ↗
  • Verified Digital option: Vanguard offers a free E-Notary service for the Full Agent Authorization that supplies the 2 witnesses and the notary and finishes in about 15 minutes. official source ↗

Turnaround

  • Not published Not published on the pages checked.

If they refuse or stall

  • Not published Not published. Note that Vanguard's DPOA policy above is its stated rule. For California disputes, see Probate Code § 4406 on the Start Here page.