Documents we notarize → Power of Attorney
Power of Attorney Notarization in Your Area
We come to you — home, hospital, office or care facility. Same-day, evening and
weekend appointments are available throughout Your Area and the surrounding area.
Travel fee $50 · $65 hospitals
Same-day often available
What you need to know
What is a Power of Attorney?
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document in which one person — the
principal — gives another person, the agent or attorney-in-fact, authority to
act on their behalf. Depending on the type, that authority can cover money, property, legal matters or
medical decisions.
It is one of the documents families end up needing fastest. A parent goes into hospital, a closing has
to be signed while someone is out of the country, a bank refuses to release funds without one — and
suddenly the paperwork is urgent. That is exactly the call we take most often.
Types of Power of Attorney we notarize
Durable Power of Attorney
Stays in effect if the principal later becomes incapacitated. The usual choice for elder care and long-term planning.
Limited or special Power of Attorney
Authority for one transaction or one stretch of time — for example, signing property documents while you are away.
Springing Power of Attorney
Takes effect only when a defined event happens, most often a doctor’s finding of incapacity. Usually drafted by an attorney.
Financial Power of Attorney
Covers banking, investments, bill paying and other money matters on the principal’s behalf.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Names someone to make medical decisions. Often signed alongside an advance healthcare directive.
Real estate Power of Attorney
Used to sign deeds, loan papers or closing documents for a property owner who cannot attend in person.
Legal requirements
Does a Power of Attorney have to be notarized?
Requirements are set state by state. Some states accept a POA signed in front of two adult witnesses
instead of a notary; others require notarization outright; many require both for certain powers. Whatever
your state says, notarizing is almost always the safer path, because:
- Banks and brokerages routinely refuse to honor a POA that has not been notarized
- Any POA used to transfer or encumber real property has to be notarized to be recorded
- Courts and government agencies process a notarized document with far fewer questions
- A notarized signature is much harder for a relative or third party to challenge later
- Using the document in another state, or abroad, generally requires notarization first
We notarize the signature. We do not draft the document, choose the form for you or advise you on
which powers to grant — that is an attorney’s job.
Hospital and bedside signings
When a family member is admitted and the paperwork cannot wait, our notary can come to the bedside, often the same day. Call and tell us the facility and room.
Senior care facilities
Assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehab. We are used to working around visiting hours, staff schedules and facility sign-in.
Before we arrive
What to have ready
Have ready
- A valid government-issued photo ID for every signer — driver’s license, passport or state ID
- Your Power of Attorney document, complete but unsigned
- Every signer physically present at the appointment
- Any witnesses your document or your state requires, in addition to the notary
- A document with no blank spaces left to fill in later
- Payment — cash, card, Venmo, PayPal or Cash App
Common mistakes
- Signing before the notary arrives. A pre-signed POA cannot be notarized and has to be redone
- Bringing an expired ID, or no photo ID at all
- Leaving blanks to be completed after signing
- Sending someone else with the signer’s ID — the signer has to be there in person
- Expecting the notary to fill in or explain the form
- Booking without checking that the principal is awake, alert and able to speak with us directly
Need the form itself first? Power of Attorney forms differ by state, and altering an
official state form can invalidate it. Start with our downloads page, or ask an
attorney to prepare a POA suited to your situation.
Power of Attorney questions
Frequently asked
Can I sign the POA before the notary gets here?
No. The notary has to witness the act of signing. If the document is already signed when we
arrive, it cannot be notarized — you would need a fresh copy. Leave the signature line blank.
Does the principal have to be mentally competent?
Yes, and they have to be able to communicate with the notary directly. The principal must be
awake, aware of what they are signing and acting of their own free will. A notary is required to
decline if there is reason to believe the signer does not understand the document, cannot express
their intent, or is under pressure from someone else.
Can you come to a hospital or nursing home?
Yes — that is a large part of what we do. Our notaries travel to hospitals, skilled nursing
facilities, rehab centers and assisted living communities. Same-day bedside visits are often
available. Call with the facility name and room number and we will work out timing.
What does it cost to notarize a Power of Attorney?
Expect from $15 per notarized signature — the per-signature maximum is set by state law, so
the exact amount depends on where you are. Travel is a flat $50 to a standard address, or $65 to a
hospital or care facility, with no distance surcharge. We confirm the full total before we come out.
See Our Pricing for the current rate card.
Do you provide witnesses?
Some POA documents need witnesses in addition to the notary, and the witnesses usually cannot
be the agent or anyone who benefits under the document. Tell us when you book — we can bring
additional witnesses to the appointment.
Can you notarize a POA for use in another state or country?
Yes. A notarization performed here is generally accepted in other states. For use abroad, the
notarized document usually needs an apostille or consular legalization afterwards — see
apostille services, which we can handle for you.
Related services
Our notaries are not attorneys. We cannot give legal advice, or help you choose,
prepare or complete a document.
Need a Power of Attorney notarized today?
Home, hospital, office or anywhere else in Your Area. Call or text and we’ll talk
through exactly what you need — it usually takes a minute.