State-Specific Minor Children Caregiver Authorization Kit Requirements

Use this chart before completing or signing your Minor Caregiver Authorization Kit. It highlights state-specific laws, statutory forms, and special procedures that may apply when a parent or legal guardian temporarily authorizes another adult to care for a minor child, make medical decisions, handle school matters, or provide transportation.

Last reviewed: September 1, 2026

Important: This is a general statewide summary, not legal advice. This kit is intended for temporary caregiver arrangements and does not create a court-appointed guardianship, transfer permanent custody, terminate parental rights, or override a court order, custody order, protective order, or applicable law. State requirements and the acceptance rules of schools, medical providers, camps, airlines, and other organizations vary. If your state or an organization requires its own form or procedure, complete that requirement and use the Harner Legal Forms kit only as a supplement where appropriate.

How to use this chart

Delegation Law State / Official Form Special Caregiver Rule Limited / Court / Program Route

State-form reminder: When a state provides a statutory, court-approved, agency-approved, or otherwise prescribed form, use that form and follow its execution requirements if you are relying on that state-law procedure. The forms in this kit may still be useful as supplemental authorizations or instructions where appropriate.

Organization reminder: A school, daycare, camp, medical provider, pharmacy, airline, cruise line, or travel provider may require its own form, an original signature, or additional proof of authority. Travel authorization also does not replace passport, visa, border, airline, custody-document, or destination-country requirements.

State State Framework What to Check / Do Before Signing Sources & Forms
Alabama Delegation Law
  • A parent with custody or a guardian may delegate powers regarding a minor child's health, support, education, maintenance, person, or property by a properly executed power of attorney, subject to statutory exclusions.
  • The delegation generally may not exceed one year. Confirm the execution requirements and any school or provider-specific forms.
 Ala. Code § 26-2A-7
Alaska State / Official Form
  • Alaska provides an official parental power-of-attorney form for delegating care, custody, and certain decision-making authority for a child.
  • The delegation is generally limited to one year. Use the current Alaska Court System form when relying on this procedure; the non-signing parent's rights are not eliminated.
 Alaska Courts GuidanceForm PG-701
Arizona Delegation Law
  • A parent or guardian may delegate care, custody, or property powers by a properly executed power of attorney, except powers such as consent to marriage or adoption.
  • The ordinary statutory delegation period is no more than six months. Confirm current execution and organization-specific requirements.
 A.R.S. § 14-5104
Arkansas Limited / Program Route
  • Arkansas has a statutory respite-care power-of-attorney procedure connected to a qualified nonprofit and approved caregiver process.
  • Do not assume that program is the general rule for an ordinary family-or-friend caregiving arrangement.
  • For a private arrangement outside the statutory program, confirm school and medical-provider requirements and whether a more formal guardianship or other process is needed.
 Ark. Code § 9-28-410
California State / Official Form
  • California's Caregiver's Authorization Affidavit may be used when the child lives in the caregiver's home. The scope depends in part on whether the caregiver is a qualified relative.
  • The official form addresses school enrollment and school-related medical care, with broader medical authority available to qualifying relative caregivers who complete the additional portions.
  • The state form says notarization is not required. Use the current California form where applicable.
 Caregiver's Authorization Affidavit
Colorado State / Official Form
  • Colorado provides JDF 751 for delegating parental or guardian powers, including care, custody, education, and medical/dental authority, subject to stated limits.
  • The delegation is generally limited to 12 months. Colorado Judicial Branch instructions state that the form does not need court filing or approval in the ordinary case, and the signed form should be notarized.
 Colorado InstructionsJDF 751
Connecticut Court / Formal Route
  • Connecticut law provides a Probate Court procedure for appointment of a temporary guardian in qualifying circumstances.
  • The Harner Legal Forms kit does not create a Connecticut temporary guardianship.
  • For a short-term noncourt arrangement, separately confirm school, medical, activity, and other organization requirements.
 Conn. Gen. Stat. ch. 802h
Delaware Special Caregiver Rule
  • Delaware has a statutory relative-caregiver affidavit procedure for medical treatment when the child resides with a qualifying relative caregiver and the statutory conditions are met.
  • The caregiver's affidavit must be notarized and generally remains effective for one year unless an earlier terminating event occurs.
  • Delaware also has separate relative-caregiver rules for school enrollment. Use the applicable Delaware form/process where available.
 13 Del. C. ch. 7
Florida Medical Authorization
  • Florida law permits a parent, legal custodian, or guardian to designate an adult health-care surrogate for a minor and provides suggested statutory language.
  • The designation is a medical-authority procedure, not a substitute for separate authority involving general care, school, or travel.
  • Follow the statutory signing and witness requirements when using the health-care surrogate route.
 Fla. Stat. § 765.2035Suggested Form
Georgia State / Statutory Form
  • Georgia law authorizes a parent to delegate certain caregiving powers to specified relatives and, in qualifying cases, approved nonrelatives through the statutory power-of-attorney process.
  • The parent and agent execute the statutory or substantially compliant instrument under oath/acknowledgment before a notary. A copy generally must be filed with the appropriate probate court within 10 days.
  • Check the statute for eligibility, noncustodial-parent notice, duration, and filing requirements.
 O.C.G.A. § 19-9-122O.C.G.A. § 19-9-129O.C.G.A. § 19-9-134
Hawaii Delegation Law
  • A parent or guardian may delegate powers regarding care, custody, or property of a minor by power of attorney, except certain powers such as consent to marriage or adoption.
  • The ordinary delegation period is no more than one year. Confirm school, medical-provider, and travel acceptance requirements separately.
 HRS § 560:5-105
Idaho Delegation Law
  • Idaho permits parental delegation of care, custody, or property powers by power of attorney, subject to statutory exclusions and duration rules.
  • The ordinary maximum is six months, but different duration rules apply to certain close relatives and military circumstances. A delegation to specified close relatives can extend beyond six months under the statute.
  • The statute states notarization or recording is not required for validity, but other organizations may impose their own acceptance requirements.
 Idaho Code § 15-5-104
Illinois State / Statutory Form
  • Illinois provides a statutory Short-Term Guardian form. The appointment can last up to 365 days.
  • The parent must execute the statutory procedure before at least two credible adult witnesses who are not the appointed guardian; the appointed guardian also accepts the appointment. The other living, willing, and able parent generally must consent unless an exception applies.
  • Use the Illinois statutory form/process as the primary document rather than relying on the Harner Legal Forms kit alone.
 755 ILCS 5/11-5.4
Indiana Delegation Law
  • A properly executed power of attorney may delegate powers concerning a minor's health, support, custody, or property, subject to statutory exclusions.
  • The ordinary duration is generally no more than 12 months, with special rules for military circumstances and certain institutional settings.
  • Use written revocation and confirm any school or provider forms.
 Ind. Code § 29-3-9-1
Iowa Limited / Deployment Route
  • Iowa has a statutory power-of-attorney procedure addressing delegation of custodial responsibility by a deploying parent.
  • No broad child-specific out-of-court delegation statute for an ordinary nondeployment arrangement was identified in this statewide review.
  • For routine temporary care, confirm school and medical-provider acceptance rules; if formal legal authority is needed, determine whether a guardianship or another Iowa procedure applies.
 Iowa Code ch. 598C
Kansas Host Family Program
  • Kansas has a statutory HOST FAMILY program involving a child-placement agency or qualified charity and a designated host family. It permits a limited parental power-of-attorney arrangement under program requirements.
  • Do not treat the HOST FAMILY procedure as the default rule for a private family-or-friend caregiving arrangement.
  • Outside that program, separately confirm school, medical, and any formal guardianship requirements.
 K.S.A. § 38-2403
Kentucky State / Statutory Form
  • Kentucky permits a parent to temporarily delegate specified parental rights and responsibilities for up to one year, subject to statutory exclusions.
  • The instrument must substantially follow Kentucky's statutory form. Use the current Kentucky form/process if relying on this delegation law.
 KRS § 403.352KRS § 403.353 Form
Louisiana State / Statutory Mandate
  • Louisiana uses a statutory mandate for delegation of provisional custody, with a suggested form and a maximum term generally limited to one year.
  • The mandate must be executed as a notarial act before a notary and competent witnesses.
  • Use the Louisiana statutory mandate and its execution formalities as the primary document when relying on this procedure.
 La. R.S. 9:951La. R.S. 9:952La. R.S. 9:954
Maine Delegation Law
  • A parent or guardian may delegate certain powers regarding care, custody, or property of a minor for up to 12 months, subject to statutory exclusions.
  • If the delegating person is a court-appointed guardian, special filing requirements can apply. Written revocation or amendment should be delivered as required by the statute.
 18-C M.R.S. § 5-127
Maryland Kinship / Medical Rule
  • Maryland provides an informal-kinship-care medical-consent affidavit process for a qualifying relative providing 24-hour care because of serious family hardship.
  • The statute prescribes affidavit content and filing requirements. Maryland also has separate subject-specific authority for certain immunization decisions.
  • No broad general child-specific power-of-attorney procedure was identified in this review, so general care, school, and travel authority should be checked separately.
 Md. Health-Gen. § 20-105Immunization Delegation
Massachusetts State / Statutory Forms
  • Massachusetts provides a temporary-agent procedure, generally for up to 60 days, with specific witness, consent, and acceptance requirements.
  • Massachusetts also provides a Caregiver Authorization Affidavit for a caregiver with whom the child resides. It includes witness and notarization requirements and may remain effective for up to two years.
  • Use the Massachusetts statutory form/process that fits the arrangement; the Harner Legal Forms kit should not be used alone as a substitute for those required formalities.
 M.G.L. c.190B, § 5-103M.G.L. c.201F, § 5Affidavit Form
Michigan Delegation Law
  • Michigan permits a parent or guardian to delegate care, custody, or property powers by a properly executed power of attorney, subject to statutory exclusions.
  • The ordinary delegation period is generally no more than 180 days, with special military provisions.
 MCL 700.5103
Minnesota Delegation Law
  • A parent, legal custodian, or qualifying guardian may delegate care, custody, or property powers by power of attorney for up to one year, subject to statutory exclusions.
  • Special notice rules can require a copy to be provided to the other parent, and existing custody orders can affect the procedure. Check those requirements before signing.
 Minn. Stat. § 524.5-211
Mississippi Current-Law Caution
  • Mississippi's former Supporting and Strengthening Families Act power-of-attorney provision states that it was repealed effective July 1, 2026.
  • Do not rely on an older Mississippi form or summary of that former chapter as current authority.
  • Confirm current school, medical, and court alternatives before using a private caregiver authorization.
 Former Miss. Code § 93-31-3
Missouri Delegation Law
  • Missouri law permits a parent or legal custodian to delegate care and custody powers for up to one year.
  • The instrument must satisfy Missouri's statutory content and notarization requirements and identify the powers being granted. The parent and attorney-in-fact signatures required by the statute should be completed.
 RSMo § 475.602RSMo § 475.604
Montana Delegation Law Special Caregiver Rule
  • Montana permits a parent or guardian to delegate care, custody, or property powers by power of attorney, generally for no more than six months, with military-related exceptions.
  • Montana also has subject-specific relative-caregiver procedures for school and related matters. If one applies, use the statutory affidavit and follow its eligibility and execution requirements.
 Mont. Code § 72-5-103Relative Caregiver School Affidavit
Nebraska Delegation Law
  • A parent or guardian may delegate care, custody, or property powers by a properly executed power of attorney, subject to statutory exclusions.
  • The ordinary maximum delegation period is six months.
 Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2604
Nevada Short-Term Guardianship
  • Nevada law provides a written short-term guardianship procedure that can be established without a court appointment when statutory conditions are satisfied.
  • The parent and short-term guardian sign before a notary, although they do not need to sign at the same time. A child who is 14 or older has a written-consent requirement.
  • The statutory short-term guardianship is generally limited to six months. Use the Nevada procedure if formal short-term guardianship status is intended.
 NRS § 159A.205
New Hampshire Temporary Agent Law
  • New Hampshire's temporary-agent law allows qualifying parents or guardians to appoint a temporary agent for care, custody, and property powers for up to 60 days, subject to statutory exclusions.
  • The writing must satisfy statutory witness and acceptance requirements, including at least two adult witnesses who are not the agent.
  • Use the New Hampshire statutory procedure rather than relying on the Harner Legal Forms kit alone if you are invoking this law.
 RSA 461-A:19-a
New Jersey Delegation Law
  • A parent may delegate care, custody, or property powers by power of attorney if the statutory conditions are satisfied. Consent of the other parent is generally required unless a statutory exception applies.
  • The delegation generally expires after one year and may be renewed, with a limited additional period for exigent circumstances.
  • Existing custody orders remain important and should be checked before signing.
 N.J.S.A. 3B:12-39
New Mexico Delegation / Caregiver Affidavit
  • New Mexico permits an acknowledged parental power of attorney delegating care, custody, or property powers, generally for no more than six months.
  • New Mexico also provides a caregiver affidavit for a child living with the caregiver that can address school and medical, dental, and mental-health authority. The caregiver affidavit is notarized and generally lasts no more than one year.
  • Use the statutory caregiver affidavit when its conditions fit the arrangement.
 NMSA § 45-5-104Caregiver Affidavit
New York Person in Parental Relation
  • New York allows a parent to designate another person as a person in parental relation for specified education and health-care matters, generally for up to 12 months.
  • A designation lasting more than 30 days requires additional statutory information, the designee's written consent, and notarization. Existing orders requiring joint parental agreement can affect who must consent.
  • Use the current New York statutory designation process for these powers.
 N.Y. GOL § 5-1551N.Y. GOL § 5-1552
North Carolina Medical / School Rules
  • North Carolina provides statutory authority and a statutory form for authorizing another person to consent to health care for a minor.
  • North Carolina also has separate caregiver/residency affidavit rules for certain school-enrollment situations.
  • Use the state health-care authorization if medical decision authority is needed; general temporary care and travel should be addressed separately.
 N.C.G.S. § 32A-30Statutory Health-Care FormSchool Residency Rule
North Dakota Delegation Law
  • A parent or guardian may delegate care, custody, or property powers by a properly executed power of attorney, subject to statutory exclusions.
  • The ordinary statutory delegation period is generally limited to six months.
 N.D.C.C. § 30.1-26-04
Ohio Grandparent-Only Forms
  • Ohio's statutory child-care power-of-attorney procedure is designed primarily for a grandparent with whom the child resides, and Ohio provides a prescribed form.
  • Ohio also provides a grandparent caretaker-authorization affidavit for specified circumstances when a parent is unavailable.
  • Use Ohio's exact statutory form that fits the situation. The Harner Legal Forms kit can be supplemental but does not replace the grandparent-specific statutory procedure.
 Ohio Rev. Code § 3109.52Power of Attorney FormCaretaker Affidavit Form
Oklahoma State / Statutory Form
  • Oklahoma provides a statutory power-of-attorney form for care and custody of a minor child. Substantial compliance with the statutory form is required when relying on the statute.
  • The delegation generally may not exceed one year. The parent/legal custodian and attorney-in-fact sign, and the signatures are acknowledged before a notary.
  • Use the Oklahoma statutory form/process as the primary authorization.
 10 O.S. § 701
Oregon Delegation Law
  • Oregon permits a parent or guardian to delegate care, custody, or property powers by power of attorney, subject to statutory exclusions.
  • The ordinary duration is generally no more than six months. A delegation to a school administrator may have a different maximum, and military-related exceptions also apply.
 ORS § 109.056
Pennsylvania Medical Consent Act
  • Pennsylvania law permits a parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian to confer specified medical, dental, developmental, and mental-health treatment authority on an adult relative or family friend, subject to statutory limits.
  • The medical-consent statute also addresses access to health information and insurance information.
  • This is a subject-specific medical route; general care, school, and travel authority should be addressed separately.
 Act 52 of 1999
Rhode Island Court / Formal Route
  • No broad child-specific out-of-court parental-delegation statute was identified in this statewide review.
  • Rhode Island's minor-guardianship framework is court based. Hospital caregiver-designation laws should not be treated as creating general parental authority.
  • For short-term care, confirm school and provider consent rules; formal guardianship requires the applicable court process.
 R.I. Minor Guardianship Law
South Carolina School / Deployment Rules
  • South Carolina has a relative-caregiver affidavit procedure for school enrollment in qualifying circumstances and separate rules addressing military/deployment custodial arrangements.
  • No broad general child-specific out-of-court delegation statute was identified in this review for an ordinary private caregiving arrangement.
  • Use the state school or deployment process if it applies and separately confirm medical-provider authority.
 S.C. Code ch. 63 (Education)S.C. Code ch. 15 (Custody)
South Dakota Deployment Route
  • South Dakota provides a statutory mechanism for a deploying parent to delegate custodial responsibility during deployment in specified circumstances.
  • No broad ordinary child-specific out-of-court power-of-attorney procedure was identified in this review.
  • For a nondeployment arrangement, confirm school and medical-provider acceptance requirements and whether formal guardianship is needed.
 SDCL ch. 25-4BSDCL § 25-4B-204
Tennessee State Hardship POA
  • Tennessee's Power of Attorney for Care of a Minor Child Act applies when a statutory hardship prevents a parent from caring for the child.
  • The state/DCS form and statutory procedure address who may serve, when both parents must sign, and notice/consent rules for a non-signing parent.
  • Execution may be before a notary or with the statutory two-witness procedure. Use the Tennessee form/process when relying on the Act.
 Tenn. Code § 34-6-302Tenn. Code § 34-6-303
Texas Authorization Agreement
  • Texas provides an Authorization Agreement for Voluntary Adult Caregiver covering specified powers such as medical, dental, psychological, school/daycare, activities, and related matters.
  • The parent and caregiver sign under the statutory procedure, which includes notarization and notice rules involving the other parent.
  • If there is an existing or pending custody/visitation case or court jurisdiction, court approval can be required before the agreement is executed.
  • The statutory agreement has its own duration and renewal rules. Use the current Texas form/process.
 Texas Family Code ch. 34TexasLawHelp GuideTexas Form
Utah Delegation Law
  • Utah permits a parent or guardian to delegate care, custody, or property powers by a properly executed power of attorney, subject to statutory exclusions.
  • The ordinary maximum is generally six months, with special military-related rules. Confirm current execution, school, and provider requirements.
 Utah Code § 75-5-103
Vermont Court / Formal Route
  • No broad current child-specific statutory out-of-court delegation form was identified in this statewide review.
  • Vermont's formal minor-guardianship framework is court based. Do not rely on proposed legislation as if it were current law.
  • For a short-term private arrangement, confirm school and medical-provider acceptance requirements; use the court process if formal guardianship status is needed.
 14 V.S.A. ch. 111
Virginia State / Statutory Form
  • Virginia law allows a parent or legal custodian to delegate care, custody, or property powers for up to 180 days, subject to statutory exclusions and military provisions.
  • When parents share joint legal custody, both generally must execute the delegation. Virginia provides a statutory form that should be substantially followed.
  • Use the current Virginia form/process as the primary authorization.
 Va. Code § 20-166Va. Code § 20-167 Form
Washington Delegation Law
  • A parent or guardian may delegate care, custody, or property powers by power of attorney, subject to statutory exclusions.
  • Washington permits a total delegation duration of up to 24 months under the general provision, with additional military-related rules.
  • Confirm execution details and the separate acceptance requirements of schools and medical providers.
 RCW § 11.130.145
West Virginia Qualified Nonprofit Program
  • West Virginia has a statutory temporary-care power-of-attorney process when temporary care is arranged with the assistance of a qualified nonprofit. The program includes caregiver screening/training requirements and a statutory form.
  • The Article 8 power of attorney generally may last up to one year and includes notarized signatures.
  • The statute expressly does not restrict a parent's right to use a power of attorney in other contexts. If not using the qualified-nonprofit program, confirm the legal basis and execution requirements independently. A separate caregiver health affidavit also exists.
 W. Va. Code § 49-8-3Statutory FormCaregiver Health Affidavit
Wisconsin State / Official Form
  • Wisconsin Courts provide Form GF-223, Power of Attorney Delegating Parental Power, under Wis. Stat. § 48.979.
  • The official form states that it shall not be modified, although it may be supplemented.
  • The form contains special rules involving duration, nonrelative agents, existing juvenile-court jurisdiction, Indian children, and joint legal custody. Use GF-223 as the primary document and the Harner Legal Forms kit only as a supplement where appropriate.
 Wisconsin GF-223Wisconsin Forms Page
Wyoming Court / Formal Route
  • No broad child-specific out-of-court delegation statute was identified in this statewide review.
  • Wyoming provides a District Court process and forms for appointment of a guardian for a minor, including temporary guardianship. The court instructions state that a temporary guardianship may not exceed one year.
  • For an ordinary short-term caregiving arrangement, confirm school and provider acceptance requirements; the Harner Legal Forms kit does not create a Wyoming court guardianship.
 Wyoming Guardianship InstructionsWyoming Forms Packet
No matching state found.

State and organization forms: Use the most current version available from the applicable state court, legislature, agency, school, medical provider, or other organization. Statutes, form numbers, agency procedures, and maximum delegation periods can change after this chart is reviewed.