Hospital & Nursing Home Notarizations: What Families Should Confirm First
Hospital & Nursing Home Notarizations: What Families Should Confirm First
When a loved one is in the hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation facility, or receiving care at home, families may suddenly find themselves needing an important document notarized.
Maybe it's a Power of Attorney.
Maybe it's an affidavit or another document that needs to be signed and notarized.
And the question becomes:
“How do I get this done if they can't leave the facility?”
That's where a mobile notary may be able to help.
Instead of transporting your loved one to a notary's office, a mobile notary can travel to an agreed location such as a hospital, nursing facility, rehabilitation center, or home.
But before scheduling, there are several important things to confirm.
Is Your Loved One Awake and Aware?
This is one of the most important considerations.
A signer doesn't simply need to be physically present. The signer must be able to participate in the notarization.
Florida law states that a notary may not notarize a signature if it appears that the person is mentally incapable of understanding the nature and effect of the document at the time of notarization.
This does not mean a notary is making a medical diagnosis or determining someone's legal competency.
The notary's responsibility is to assess what appears to be true at the time of the notarization.
If your loved one has recently experienced a stroke, is heavily medicated, is experiencing confusion, or has difficulty understanding what is happening, this is something the family should discuss with the appropriate healthcare or legal professional before arranging the notarization.
Can the Signer Communicate With the Notary?
The signer must be able to participate in the notarial act.
If your loved one has difficulty speaking, hearing, communicating, or understanding, let the notary know when you call.
Don't assume that a family member can simply answer questions or speak for the signer.
The notary needs to interact with the signer directly.
Does the Signer Have Acceptable Identification?
Florida law requires a notary to have personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence that the person signing is the individual named in the document. Florida law provides several methods for establishing identity, including certain forms of identification meeting the statutory requirements.
If you're unsure whether your loved one's identification will work, ask before the appointment.
Are Witnesses Required?
This is another question families should ask before the notary arrives.
Some documents require witnesses in addition to notarization.
For example, Florida Power of Attorney documents have specific execution requirements.
If an attorney or other professional prepared the document, ask them:
“Does this document require witnesses, and who can serve as a witness?”
Having the required people available before the notary arrives can prevent an unnecessary second trip.
Is the Document Complete?
Have the complete document available for the appointment.
If an attorney, healthcare professional, financial institution, or another organization prepared the document, follow their instructions regarding what should be completed before signing.
A notary can perform the notarial act, but a notary cannot tell you which legal document you need or advise you about what the document means.
What If My Loved One Cannot Sign Normally?
There are circumstances in Florida where a person who is physically unable to sign may have another person sign the person's name at their direction, under specific statutory requirements.
That is different from a situation where someone cannot understand what they are signing.
If physical inability to sign is an issue, tell the notary when you call so the situation can be discussed before the appointment.
A Few Minutes of Preparation Can Make a Difference
If your loved one is in a hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation facility, or at home and needs a document notarized, don't feel like you have to figure everything out alone.
Before scheduling, gather:
✔️ The complete document
✔️ The signer's identification
✔️ Information about any required witnesses
✔️ Any instructions from the professional who prepared the document
✔️ Information about the signer's ability to participate in the notarization
Then contact your mobile notary to discuss the appointment.
Magnolia Signature Services
1-850-404-2030
Magnolia Signature Services provides professional mobile notary services throughout Panama City and surrounding Bay County communities, including appointments at homes, hospitals, nursing facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and other agreed locations.
We come to you.
Magnolia Signature Services provides notary services only and does not provide legal advice.
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