Free Washington Advance Directive & Living Will
Build a complete Washington advance directive in minutes — free, no account. Name a health care agent, record your end-of-life wishes, and download a ready-to-sign PDF with Washington's correct signing requirements.
A free directive — not legal or medical advice.
This builds a Washington advance directive: it names a health care agent to decide for you and records your end-of-life wishes. It works only when you sign it as Washington requires (see the signing steps). RecordingLaw.com is not a law firm.
About you
Your health care agent
The person who will make medical decisions if you can't speak for yourself — the most important choice.
Note: in Washington, your agent cannot be For the durable power of attorney for health care (RCW 11.125), the agent generally may not be the principal's physician or the physician's employee, or an owner/administrator/employee of the health/long-term-care facility where the principal resides (unless related), consistent with general agent limitations.
Your end-of-life wishes
If you are terminally ill or permanently unconscious with no recovery expected.
Note: Washington law may suspend these wishes during pregnancy.
Other wishes (optional)
Before you sign — Washington notes
This directive has NO legal effect until you sign it. To make it valid in Washington: Sign the Health Care Directive as an adult of sound mind, either (a) in the presence of two qualifying witnesses (not relatives, heirs, the attending physician/employee, or facility employees) who sign, OR (b) before a notary public. A separate durable power of attorney for health care names your agent. IMPORTANT: the living-will directive has NO force or effect while the declarer is diagnosed as pregnant.
Witness rules: a witness must NOT be The Health Care Directive must be signed in the presence of two witnesses OR acknowledged before a notary public (RCW 70.122.030). A witness may NOT be: related to the declarer by blood or marriage; entitled to any portion of the declarer's estate (or have a claim against it); the attending physician or the physician's employee; or an employee of the health facility in which the declarer is a patient.
Your agent cannot be For the durable power of attorney for health care (RCW 11.125), the agent generally may not be the principal's physician or the physician's employee, or an owner/administrator/employee of the health/long-term-care facility where the principal resides (unless related), consistent with general agent limitations.
Washington lets you use EITHER 2 witnesses OR a notary — you do not need both.
Pregnancy: Washington law may suspend your living-will instructions while you are pregnant. The statutory Health Care Directive form in RCW 70.122.030 provides that if the declarer has been diagnosed as pregnant and that diagnosis is known to the physician, the directive shall have NO force or effect during the course of the pregnancy. (Note: legislation has been proposed to remove this clause, but as of 2026 it remains in the statutory form.)
Washington also publishes an official statutory directive form (RCW 70.122.030 (statutory Health Care Directive form); durable power of attorney for health care under RCW 11.125 (Uniform Power of Attorney Act)); this document is a valid alternative that covers the same ground.
After signing, give copies to your agent, your alternate, and your doctor, and keep the original somewhere accessible. An advance directive is not filed with a court.
This is a general-purpose directive and is not legal or medical advice. For complex wishes, a serious illness, or detailed treatment limits, talk to your doctor and an estate-planning attorney. RecordingLaw.com is not a law firm.
Enter your name and your agent's name to download.
Or email yourself a copy (PDF)
Advance Health Care Directive of [YOUR FULL NAME]
PART I — DECLARATION
I, [YOUR FULL NAME], of [CITY], Washington, being of sound mind, make this Advance Health Care Directive to state my wishes for my medical care and to appoint a person to make health care decisions for me if I cannot make them myself. I revoke any prior advance directive, living will, or health care power of attorney I have made.
PART II — MY HEALTH CARE AGENT
I appoint [AGENT NAME] as my health care agent.
My agent's authority takes effect when my attending physician determines that I am unable to make my own health care decisions, and ends if I regain that ability.
My agent may make any health care decision I could make, including consenting to, refusing, or withdrawing any medical care, treatment, or procedure; choosing and changing my doctors and care facilities; and arranging for my comfort and pain relief. My agent must follow my wishes as stated in this document and otherwise act in my best interest.
I authorize my agent to obtain and review my medical information, and I make my agent my personal representative under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for that purpose.
PART III — LIVING WILL — MY END-OF-LIFE WISHES
If I am terminally ill, permanently unconscious, or in an end-stage condition with no reasonable expectation of recovery, I do NOT want life-sustaining treatment (such as CPR, a ventilator, or dialysis) that would only prolong the process of dying. I direct that such treatment be withheld or withdrawn and that I be allowed to die naturally, receiving only care for my comfort.
I do NOT want artificially administered nutrition and hydration if it would serve only to prolong the process of dying.
Regardless of my other choices, I always want to be kept as comfortable and free of pain as possible, even if medication to relieve my pain may hasten my death.
Note about pregnancy: under Washington law, this living-will instruction may be limited or suspended if I am pregnant. The statutory Health Care Directive form in RCW 70.122.030 provides that if the declarer has been diagnosed as pregnant and that diagnosis is known to the physician, the directive shall have NO force or effect during the course of the pregnancy. (Note: legislation has been proposed to remove this clause, but as of 2026 it remains in the statutory form.)
PART IV — GENERAL PROVISIONS
This directive is governed by the laws of Washington and is intended to be effective in any place where I may be. A copy of this directive has the same effect as the original. I may revoke it at any time by notifying my agent or health care provider, orally or in writing.
If any part of this directive is held invalid, the rest remains in effect. My health care providers and agent who act in good faith reliance on this directive are protected to the fullest extent of the law.
SIGNATURE
I sign this Advance Health Care Directive willingly, on this _____ day of ____________, 20____, at [CITY], Washington.
____________________________________
[YOUR FULL NAME], Principal
WITNESSES — Each of us declares that the principal signed this directive in our presence, appeared to be of sound mind and free from duress, that we are each at least 18 years old, and that we are not disqualified from witnessing under this state's law (see the signing instructions for who may not witness).
Witness 1: ____________________________ Address: ____________________________
Witness 2: ____________________________ Address: ____________________________
(Alternatively, Washington lets you have this directive notarized instead of witnessed — sign the notary block below OR use the witnesses above.)
STATE OF __________, COUNTY OF __________. Subscribed and sworn before me on __________.
____________________________________ Notary Public
How to Sign Your Advance Directive in Washington
Sign the Health Care Directive as an adult of sound mind, either (a) in the presence of two qualifying witnesses (not relatives, heirs, the attending physician/employee, or facility employees) who sign, OR (b) before a notary public. A separate durable power of attorney for health care names your agent. IMPORTANT: the living-will directive has NO force or effect while the declarer is diagnosed as pregnant.
Washington requires 2 witnesses or a notary. You can choose whichever is easier — you do not need both. This generator's PDF includes a signing page with these exact steps.
The Two Parts: Health Care Agent and Living Will
Your Washington directive has two jobs. The health care agent (also called a healthcare proxy or medical power of attorney) is the person who speaks to doctors for you if you cannot — choosing treatments, providers, and facilities and seeing your medical records. The living will records your own instructions about life-sustaining treatment if you are terminally ill or permanently unconscious with no reasonable hope of recovery.
Who Can Be Your Agent and Witnesses in Washington
Your agent: In Washington, your health care agent cannot be For the durable power of attorney for health care (RCW 11.125), the agent generally may not be the principal's physician or the physician's employee, or an owner/administrator/employee of the health/long-term-care facility where the principal resides (unless related), consistent with general agent limitations. Choose someone you trust who knows your values and will advocate for you.
Your witnesses: In Washington, a witness must NOT be The Health Care Directive must be signed in the presence of two witnesses OR acknowledged before a notary public (RCW 70.122.030). A witness may NOT be: related to the declarer by blood or marriage; entitled to any portion of the declarer's estate (or have a claim against it); the attending physician or the physician's employee; or an employee of the health facility in which the declarer is a patient.. Pick neutral adults.
The Pregnancy Rule in Washington
The statutory Health Care Directive form in RCW 70.122.030 provides that if the declarer has been diagnosed as pregnant and that diagnosis is known to the physician, the directive shall have NO force or effect during the course of the pregnancy. (Note: legislation has been proposed to remove this clause, but as of 2026 it remains in the statutory form.) This is a real and sometimes controversial limit; if it matters to you, discuss it with your doctor and consider adding specific instructions, and talk to an attorney about your options.
Who Decides If You Have No Directive in Washington?
If you have not named a health care agent, Washington law decides who speaks for you: RCW 7.70.065 (informed consent for an incapacitated adult), in descending priority of reasonably available persons: (1) appointed guardian; (2) holder of a durable power of attorney for health care; (3) spouse or state registered domestic partner; (4) adult children (18+); (5) parents; (6) adult brothers and sisters; (7) adult grandchildren familiar with the patient; (8) adult nieces and nephews familiar with the patient; (9) adult aunts and uncles familiar with the patient; (10) an uncompensated adult who has exhibited special care and concern, is familiar with the patient's values, and is reasonably available. An unmarried partner usually has no automatic say. Signing a directive is how you choose your own decision-maker instead of leaving it to this default.
Updating, Revoking, and Sharing Your Directive
Review your directive after any major change — a new diagnosis, a divorce, the death of your agent, or a move to a new state (a directive valid where you signed it is usually honored elsewhere, but it is wise to re-sign under your new state's rules). You can revoke it any time by telling your agent or doctor or by signing a new one. After signing, give copies to your agent, your alternate, and your doctor and keep the original where it can be found quickly — a directive no one can locate cannot help you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an advance directive made online valid in Washington?
Yes, if you sign it correctly. Washington requires 2 witnesses or a notary. The document this tool creates is a standard health care directive (living will under the natural death act) + durable power of attorney for health care; it becomes legally effective when you sign it as described above.
Do I need a lawyer to make an advance directive in Washington?
No. A properly signed advance directive is valid whether or not a lawyer prepares it. See an attorney if you have complex wishes, a serious illness, or want detailed limits on specific treatments.
What is the difference between a living will and a healthcare power of attorney?
A living will states your own wishes about life-sustaining treatment. A healthcare power of attorney (agent/proxy) names a person to make medical decisions for you. This generator combines both in one Washington directive.
Does my Washington directive need to be notarized?
Not necessarily — Washington lets you use either 2 witnesses or a notary.
Who can witness my advance directive in Washington?
Adults who are not The Health Care Directive must be signed in the presence of two witnesses OR acknowledged before a notary public (RCW 70.122.030). A witness may NOT be: related to the declarer by blood or marriage; entitled to any portion of the declarer's estate (or have a claim against it); the attending physician or the physician's employee; or an employee of the health facility in which the declarer is a patient..
What happens if I don't have an advance directive in Washington?
Washington decides who makes your medical decisions: RCW 7.70.065 (informed consent for an incapacitated adult), in descending priority of reasonably available persons: (1) appointed guardian; (2) holder of a durable power of attorney for health care; (3) spouse or state registered domestic partner; (4) adult children (18+); (5) parents; (6) adult brothers and sisters; (7) adult grandchildren familiar with the patient; (8) adult nieces and nephews familiar with the patient; (9) adult aunts and uncles familiar with the patient; (10) an uncompensated adult who has exhibited special care and concern, is familiar with the patient's values, and is reasonably available.
Does pregnancy affect my living will in Washington?
Yes. The statutory Health Care Directive form in RCW 70.122.030 provides that if the declarer has been diagnosed as pregnant and that diagnosis is known to the physician, the directive shall have NO force or effect during the course of the pregnancy. (Note: legislation has been proposed to remove this clause, but as of 2026 it remains in the statutory form.) Discuss this with your doctor and an attorney if it concerns you.
Can my agent override my living will?
No. Your agent must follow the clear wishes you write down. The living will guides your agent and your doctors; the agent fills in decisions you did not specifically address.
Do I have to file my directive with a court?
No. An advance directive is not filed with any court. You keep the signed original and give copies to your agent and your doctor so it is available when needed.
Is this really free?
Yes. The generator is free, requires no account, and runs entirely in your browser — your answers are not sent to a server. It is general information, not legal or medical advice.
Disclaimer
This generator produces a general-purpose advance directive and is not legal or medical advice or a substitute for an attorney or your physician. Healthcare-directive law changes; the Washington requirements here are current as of 2026-06-05. A directive is only effective if signed as your state requires. For a serious illness, detailed treatment limits, or complex family situations, talk to your doctor and a Washington estate-planning attorney. RecordingLaw.com is not a law firm.
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