The Commonwealth of Virginia provides a statewide Advance Health Care Directives Registry that provides a free, secure tool to store important documents that protect your legal rights and ensure your medical wishes are honored if you are unable to manage your own care. These documents would include
your advance medical directive or medical power of attorney, do-not-resuscitate orders, and other specifics of your health care wishes.
Without advanced planning, health care decisions are left to family members. This Registry will relieve loved ones of that burden and ensures that your loved ones and your health providers know what your wishes are in the event that you become incapacitated and unable to make your wishes known. When you sign up for the registry, you will enter basic information, create an account, and select a password and PIN. You will then receive an identification card containing your personal registry information so that health care providers can access your information. Your information can also be shared with family and loved ones.
To sign up for this registry, visit https://www.virginiaregistry.org, or you can use the link to the registry at the Virginia Department of Health’s website, https://www.vdh.virginia.gov. If you do not have a computer, you can still participate in the registry by calling 1-800-224-0791.
If you need assistance preparing an Advance Health Care Directive, please contact the attorneys at Altizer Law, P.C., at www.altizerlaw.com or (540) 345-2000. Our attorneys can also prepare your Last Will & Testament, Durable Power of Attorney, and Limited Durable Power of Attorney for the Disposition of Remains.
