Free California Minor (Child) Power of Attorney Template

A California minor (child) power of attorney is a parent’s written permission for another adult to make certain decisions for a child in their care. In California, the most important of those decisions, medical and dental consent, has its own statute.

Medical and Dental Consent From a Parent

California Family Code § 6910 lets a parent or guardian authorize, in writing, an adult who has been entrusted with the child’s care. That adult can then consent to medical care, dental care, or both. The statute only asks that the authorization be in writing.

A Separate Form the Caregiver Signs

California also has a Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit under Family Code §§ 6550–6552. Unlike a power of attorney, the caregiver signs it, not the parent. The child must live with the caregiver, and the caregiver must be at least 18.

Relatives Get Broader Rights

Any caregiver who completes the first part of the affidavit can enroll the child in school and consent to school-related medical care. A relative who completes the full form can also consent to other medical and dental care, with the same rights a guardian has under Probate Code § 2353.

Yes, with the Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit. According to the California Courts’ January 2026 version of the form, a school must enroll a student when the caregiver presents it.

The same guidance lists a few points worth knowing:

• No notary, court seal, or parent signature is needed
• The affidavit is valid only in California
• It doesn’t expire, but it stops working once the caregiver notifies the school or provider that the child has moved out
• It doesn’t give the caregiver legal custody

For custody, the caregiver would need a probate guardianship instead. A California minor (child) power of attorney can sit alongside the affidavit, so both you and the caregiver have signed paperwork.

1. Write out your authorization naming the caregiver and each child, with birth dates.
2. State whether the caregiver may consent to medical care, dental care, or both.
3. Add any other day-to-day decisions you want to hand over, plus an end date.
4. Sign and date it, then give the caregiver the original.
5. If the child will live with the caregiver, the caregiver can also complete a Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit.

A precise form helps a doctor’s office say yes to the caregiver faster.

• Your name and your relationship to the child
• Each child’s full name and date of birth
• The caregiver’s name, address, and phone number
• The medical and dental decisions you’re authorizing
• Any other powers, such as travel or activity permissions
• Start and end dates, plus your signature

Create your California minor (child) power of attorney today and hand it over before you leave.