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.
Information only, not legal or financial advice. 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.