Which of the following is a required component of valid authorization for release of PHI?

A valid authorization for the release of Protected Health Information (PHI) must include several critical components to ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations. One of the essential requirements is the identification of the patient. This ensures that the authorization pertains specifically to the individual whose information is being disclosed. Identifying the patient helps protect their privacy rights and confirms that the authorization is legitimate and pertinent to the correct individual.

Without accurately identifying the patient, it would be impossible to determine whether the authorization is valid, putting the covered entity at risk of disclosing information improperly. This emphasis on patient identification also reinforces the patient’s control over their health information, a key principle of HIPAA.

The other options do not represent necessary components of a valid authorization. An attorney's signature or multiple witness signatures are not required for authorization to be valid; therefore, they don't contribute directly to the essential verification process. Timing restrictions, while they may be relevant in certain contexts, are not universally mandated as a component of the authorization itself.