Minnesota DOPA Notary Requirements: Where and How to Notarize

What the Law Requires

Under Minn. Stat. § 524.5-211, the delegating parent's signature must be notarized. The parent may sign before a notary in person or use compliant Remote Online Notarization under Chapter 358. An unnotarized DOPA is not properly executed, and schools and clinics can legitimately refuse it.

The notary verifies the signer's identity and witnesses the signature. Ask the notary or RON provider which identification and verification steps they require, then complete the signature and notarization process they specify.

The caregiver (Attorney-in-Fact) also signs the form, but their signature does not require notarization under the standard Legal Aid form. The caregiver signs an acceptance section acknowledging the delegated duties.

The Most Common Notarization Mistake

Signing the DOPA at home and then bringing it to a notary to be stamped. This doesn't work. The notary must witness the act of signing — certifying that the person appeared before them and signed in their presence. A pre-signed form cannot be properly notarized.

If you've already made this mistake, don't try to work around it. Get a fresh form and start over. The cost of another notary visit is far less than the cost of a school or clinic rejecting the document.

Where to Get a DOPA Notarized in Minnesota

Free or low-cost options:

• Urban League Twin Cities — free DOPA form preparation and notarization at their Minneapolis office. This is one of the best resources in the metro area for kinship caregivers.
• Banks and credit unions — most branches have at least one staff notary and provide free notary service to account holders. Some extend the service to non-members for a small fee.
• Public libraries — a growing number of Minnesota library systems offer free notary services during specific hours. Call ahead to confirm availability.
• Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN) — free legal clinics in the Twin Cities that include DOPA preparation and notarization assistance.

Paid options:

• UPS Store locations — walk-in notary service statewide. Fees vary by location.
• Independent mobile notaries — they come to you, which is useful for homebound caregivers or parents in assisted living. Mobile notary fees are typically higher than office-based services.

Ask the notary about the current charge before booking; mobile notaries may also charge a travel fee.

When the Parent Is Incarcerated

This is more common than people realize. A parent in a Minnesota correctional facility can still execute a valid DOPA. The process:

1. Contact the facility's case manager or social worker
2. Request notarization services — most correctional facilities employ staff notaries or contract with visiting notary services
3. Send the blank DOPA form to the facility (or have the case manager print one from LawHelpMN.org)
4. The parent signs in front of the facility notary
5. The notarized form is mailed or returned to the caregiver

Scheduling times depend on the facility. Start early and ask the case manager how to arrange an appointment.

When the Parent Is in Inpatient Treatment

Similar to the incarceration process. Inpatient substance abuse treatment centers and mental health facilities often have notary access through their social work or administrative staff. The treatment center's social worker coordinates the signing.

Remote Online Notarization

Minnesota recognizes Remote Online Notarization (RON) under Ch. 358. Both the signer and the notary connect through a qualifying digital platform that meets state identity-verification standards. The parent verifies their identity through knowledge-based authentication and credential analysis, signs electronically while on camera, and receives a digitally notarized document.

RON is useful when the parent is physically distant — in another state, deployed overseas, or unable to travel — but has internet access and a device with a camera. Not all notary platforms are Minnesota-compliant, so verify the platform meets Ch. 358 requirements.

After Notarization

Once the DOPA is notarized, make multiple copies and distribute them to the child's school, pediatrician, dentist, and pharmacy. Keep the original in a secure location and maintain a written log of who received copies and when.

The Minnesota School and Medical Consent Guide includes a DOPA execution checklist that walks through every step from form selection to copy distribution, plus a tracking log for the mandatory 30-day notice to the other parent.

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