Missouri Vehicle Power of Attorney (Form 4054)
A Missouri motor vehicle power of attorney (Form 4054) is a legal document that a person or insurance company uses to prove they can act on a vehicle owner’s behalf. The person or business representing the owner is called the “attorney-in-fact.”
| Signing requirements: Notarization is mandatory unless the owner signs the form electronically. The owner can only sign the form electronically if an insurance company is the attorney-in-fact. |
What is a Missouri Motor Vehicle POA?
A Missouri motor vehicle power of attorney assigns a selected person as the agent, or representative, for a person in possession of a car (the owner). Generally, the owner uses the form when they cannot take care of responsibility due to a time constraint, vacation, work obligations, or anything else that impacts their ability to handle it independently.
The state of Missouri allows electronic signing if the attorney-in-fact is an insurance company. Otherwise, the vehicle owner must sign using ink. The form remains valid until the attorney-in-fact carries out their duties, it reaches its expiration, or the owner revokes it. The previous version terminates if the owner creates a new motor vehicle power of attorney. Additionally, copies distributed to the attorney-in-fact, insurance company, Department of Revenue, or any other party become null.
Who is Named as the “Agent”?
The agent is the person who handles the tasks for the principal. They can be a company or an individual depending on the situation.
Most often, if the agent is not a person, it is an insurance company. This situation occurs when the business acquires or sells an insured, totaled vehicle (after an accident). In this case, the owner must include the insurance company’s name and the date of total loss, instead of an individual’s name.
However, in most circumstances, the agent is a person and not an insurance company. The owner must enter the assigned person’s name, the task that needs completing, and the car’s information (i.e., year, make, vehicle identification number). If multiple people own the vehicle (such as a husband and wife), each party must print and sign their name and the date.
How to Write
Download: PDF
Step 1 – Agent and Vehicle Identification
First, list the name of the agent (attorney-in-fact) who will represent the owner. If an insurance company is involved regarding a total loss, fill out the boxes below the agent’s name. Then, select the transaction(s) the agent is authorized to perform, and provide the car’s year, make, and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).
Step 2 – Owner(s) Signature
To execute this form, it must be completed with a Notary Public serving as a witness. The owner(s) must provide name(s), current date, and signature(s).
Step 3 – Notary Public
A Notary Public must stamp their embosser or seal in the appropriate section of the form. In addition, the notary must include the date, state and county, commission expiration date, printed name, and signature.
