Step 1: Prepare Documents

• The following types of health care directive documents may be submitted to the Washington State Living Will Registry. If you HAVE NOT yet prepared your health care directive documents, you may use the sample forms provided below. These forms have been provided as a public service:
  • Health Care Directive – A health care directive is a legal document (sometimes called a Living Will or Advance Directive) that allows you to express your wishes for end-of-life medical treatment when you are unable to express them. More details…
    Health Care Directive form (253 KB PDF)
  • Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care – A durable power of attorney for health care is a legal document that allows you to give someone else permission to make medical decisions for you. More details...
    Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care form (247 KB PDF)
  • Mental Health Advance Directive – A mental health advance directive is a legal document that allows you to express your preferences for treatment should you become incapacitated by mental illness and unable to communicate effectively. More details...
    Mental Health Advance Directive form (389 KB PDF)
  • Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) – The Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment is a form intended for individuals with serious health conditions. Together, you and your physician discuss and develop a specific plan that reflects your treatment wishes and is translated into medical orders. The POLST form can be obtained at your physician’s office. More details...
• Sign and obtain any needed witnessing signatures on your health care directive documents.
• Make copies of your health care directive documents to mail or fax to the registry.

Step 2: Complete Registration Form

What are health care directive documents?

Health care directive documents are legal documents that shares a person’s wishes regarding their health care treatment and end of life choices should they become incapacitated or otherwise unable to make decisions. Health care directive documents must be voluntarily completed by a person who is at least 18 years of age and of sound mind. This means the person must be mentally stable and able to comprehend the nature of signing such a document.

In Washington State there are two primary ways to put your desires about medical care into writing. One is called a Health Care Directive (sometimes called a Living Will or Advance Directive) and the other is called a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. The Health Care Directive expresses your wish for treatment when near death or permanently unconscious. The Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care allows you to give someone else authority for making decisions or following your directions about your health care desires. These two forms can help convey your wishes for future medical care including non-treatment and are recommended for all individuals.

In addition, you may choose to complete a Mental Health Advance Directive which describes your preferences for treatment and care should you become incapacitated by mental illness. Or, if you have a serious health condition, you may want to discuss with your attending physician the specific Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment form which addresses end-of-life treatment wishes.

While it is not required that an attorney help you in preparing the above forms, you may want to consult an attorney if the forms do not fit your needs or if you have concerns. The Washington State Living Will Registry does not provide legal advice or legal services. Any questions you may have about the use of these forms may be answered by an attorney.

We recommend you provide copies of your Health Care Directive and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care decisions, and if appropriate, your Mental Health Advance Directive, to your physician, family and anyone listed as your attorney-in-fact for making health care decisions should you become incapacitated.

Step 2: Complete Registration Form