How to Fill Out the DOPA Form in Minnesota: Step by Step

Before You Start

Get the standard F-6 DOPA form from LawHelpMN.org — either the printable PDF or the Do-It-Yourself online interview version. Don't use a generic power of attorney template from a national legal forms site. Those often import terminology from other states (like "caregiver affidavit") that has no legal force in Minnesota.

Before filling it out, gather the details the form requests: the parent's full legal name, county of residence, and relationship to the child; the child's full legal name and date of birth; and the caregiver's full name, address, phone number, and county of residence.

Field-by-Field Instructions

Delegating parent information: Enter the parent's full legal name as it appears on government ID — not a nickname, not a shortened version. Include county of residence and relationship to the child (e.g., "mother," "father," "legal custodian").

Child information: Use the child's full legal name and exact date of birth. If you're delegating authority for more than one child, Legal Aid recommends executing a separate DOPA per child. Some institutions insist on individual forms, so separate documents prevent headaches later.

Attorney-in-Fact details: This is the caregiver — the grandparent, aunt, uncle, or family friend who will exercise authority. Enter their full legal name, home address, phone number, and county of residence.

Scope of authority: The standard form grants care, custody, and property decisions. You can add specific limits or expansions in the optional section — for instance, limiting authority to school and medical decisions only, or specifying that the caregiver may not authorize elective surgery.

Duration and effective date: Write a specific effective date and duration. A DOPA cannot remain in effect for more than one year under § 524.5-211. Enter a specific duration; a term longer than 12 months is not authorized.

Signing and Notarization

This is where most mistakes happen.

Do not sign the form before you see the notary. The notary must witness the delegating parent's actual signature. Bringing a pre-signed form to a notary defeats the purpose — the notary is certifying that the person appeared in front of them and signed. A form signed in advance is not properly executed, and institutions can reject it.

The parent signs in the notary's presence, either in person or through a compliant Remote Online Notarization process. The notary completes the notarization section.

The Attorney-in-Fact then signs the acceptance section. This signature does not require notarization under the standard Legal Aid form, but it must be completed before the DOPA is presented to schools or clinics.

Finding a Notary

• Banks and credit unions — most branches have a staff notary and offer free or low-cost service for account holders
• UPS Store locations — walk-in notary service for a fee
• Public libraries — some Minnesota libraries offer free notary services
• Urban League Twin Cities — free DOPA preparation and notarization in Minneapolis
• Correctional facilities — staff notaries or visiting notary services handle signings for incarcerated parents; coordinate through the facility case manager
• Inpatient treatment centers — similar to correctional facilities; the social worker can arrange notarization on site

Minnesota also recognizes Remote Online Notarization (RON) under Ch. 358, if both the parent and the notary meet the state's identity verification standards through a qualifying platform.

After Signing: The 30-Day Notice

Within 30 days of execution, the signing parent must mail or hand-deliver a copy of the DOPA to any other living parent. Keep proof — a certified mail receipt or a signed affidavit of hand delivery.

The two statutory exceptions: the other parent has no court-ordered parenting time or only supervised parenting time, or an Order for Protection under Ch. 518B is in effect against the other parent to protect the delegating parent, legal custodian, or child.

Section 524.5-211 requires this notice. Keep proof of delivery with the DOPA.

Distribute Copies

After signing, make copies and deliver them to:

• The child's school (enrollment office and principal's office)
• The child's pediatrician or primary care clinic
• The child's dentist
• The pharmacy that fills the child's prescriptions
• Any other institution that needs to verify the caregiver's authority

Keep a written log of who received a copy and the date delivered. The Minnesota School and Medical Consent Guide includes a DOPA execution checklist, a copy distribution log, and a 30-day notice tracker to keep the entire process organized.

See more Minnesota guides →