Hospital and care facility signings

Bedside notarizations for hospitals, skilled nursing, hospice, and assisted living. These appointments are usually urgent and I treat them that way.

Request an appointment Call 833.924.4278

What this involves

Hospital and Care Facility Notary

Families call about these appointments at the worst moments of their lives, often on short notice, often on a weekend. That is why I hold evening and weekend hours instead of quoting business hours and calling it service.

Here is what determines whether the signing can happen, and it is worth knowing before I arrive. The signer must be awake and alert. They must be able to indicate that they understand what they are signing. They must be signing willingly, not because someone in the room is pressing them. Medication, sedation, or a hard day can all make a signer temporarily unable to meet that bar.

If the signer cannot meet it, I have to decline, and I will tell you kindly and directly rather than proceeding and leaving the family with a document that gets challenged. If that happens, it is often worth trying again at a better hour of the day.

Tell me the facility and the unit when you call. Access rules differ, visiting hours differ, and some units want notice at the desk.

Before I arrive

What to have ready.

Five minutes of preparation prevents the most common reason an appointment fails.

Current photo ID for the signer, or a plan if the ID is at home
The facility name, unit, and room number
Any witnesses the document requires
A realistic sense of when the signer is most alert

Common questions

Straight answers.

Can you come today?

Often, yes, especially in Skagit and Snohomish County. Call 833.924.4278 rather than using the form for anything urgent.

What if the patient cannot sign their name?

There are lawful accommodations for signers who cannot physically sign, but whether one applies is a legal question for the attorney or agency involved. Call and describe the situation and I will tell you honestly whether I can help.

What if the patient is sedated or confused?

Then I cannot proceed, and no ethical notary would. Alertness and understanding are requirements, not formalities. We can try again when the signer is more lucid.

What identification do I need?

Current government issued photo ID showing your signature. Driver license, state ID, US passport, military ID, or tribal ID. If your ID is expired or your name has changed, call before the appointment rather than finding out at the table.

Can you tell me what my document means?

No. A Washington notary is not an attorney and may not explain, interpret, or advise on a document, or recommend whether you should sign. Questions about terms go to your attorney, loan officer, or escrow officer.

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