State Notary Agent®
The Florida Notary Public Directory
Hospitals and care facilities rarely have a notary on staff, and when they do, that notary usually cannot notarize for patients due to facility policy or conflict-of-interest rules.
These signings are typically powers of attorney, advance directives, healthcare surrogate designations, deeds, and estate documents — often on short notice.
This is where bedside signings most often stop. A notary must be satisfied the signer is acting willingly and appears aware of what they are doing.
A notary is not qualified to assess legal capacity and does not certify it. But a notary who has genuine doubt — heavy sedation, apparent confusion, or someone else answering for the patient — should decline, and a competent one will.
If capacity is genuinely in question, involve the attorney who drafted the document and the treating physician. Calling a second notary to get a different answer is not the solution.
Yes. Mobile notaries routinely handle bedside signings at hospitals and care facilities, most often for powers of attorney, advance directives, healthcare surrogate designations, and estate documents.
Often they decline, due to facility policy or conflict-of-interest concerns. Arrange your own witnesses in advance — a Florida power of attorney requires two.
Tell the notary when booking. Florida permits identification through credible witnesses who personally know the signer, but they must attend and be identified themselves.
A notary must be satisfied the signer is acting willingly and appears aware of what they are signing. A notary with genuine doubt should decline. If capacity is in question, involve the drafting attorney and the treating physician.
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