Power of Attorney (POA) for SEC Form ID Filers

Individuals applying for EDGAR access using SEC Form ID sometimes authorize another person—such as an attorney, filing agent, or corporate representative—to sign the application on their behalf. In these cases, the SEC requires a Power of Attorney (POA) that clearly grants this authority.

Why a POA May Be Required

If the applicant is not personally signing the Form ID authentication document, the SEC requires evidence that the signer is legally authorized to act for the applicant. A properly executed Power of Attorney fulfills this requirement and allows a third party to sign and submit the Form ID documents.

Notarization Requirements

The Form ID authentication document must be notarized before it is uploaded to the SEC’s EDGAR system. When a POA is used:

• The applicant signs the power of attorney granting authority to the designated representative.
• The representative signs the Form ID authentication document on behalf of the applicant.
• The authentication document must be notarized prior to submission.

OnlineNotary.us provides remote online notarization (RON) for Form ID authentication documents. Signers can complete the notarization by secure video with a commissioned U.S. notary from anywhere in the world.

Important Notes

• The SEC ultimately determines acceptance of all Form ID filings and supporting documents.
  
• The Power of Attorney itself may or may not require notarization, depending on the filing circumstances and the preferences of the submitting party.
  
• The authentication document must always be notarized before submission to EDGAR.

Our Experience With Form ID Notarizations

Our notaries regularly assist corporate officers, directors, and international filers who need to notarize Form ID authentication documents for SEC EDGAR access. Remote Online Notarization is commonly used by applicants located outside the United States who require a legally valid U.S. notarization without visiting a consulate or embassy.

If you plan to use a Power of Attorney for your Form ID filing, make sure the authorization clearly identifies the applicant and the representative signing on their behalf before scheduling your notarization session.