Tips for Notarizations at Hospitals and Senior Facilities During the Pandemic
We spend a lot of time at the hospital and senior care facilities helping patients with an advanced health care directive, estate plan, and/or medical power of attorney, among others.
Since the pandemic began, we’ve seen a sizable increase in folks that are taking care of these important documents before it becomes necessary, which can be a good idea. To that end, we’ve been supporting programs like Hospice Santa Barbara’s health care planning workshops; and, the Cottage Hospital Palliative Care team that are walking people through the process and making sure Advanced Health Care Directives are done correctly.
When visitors aren’t allowed into the hospital or senior care facility, it makes it even harder when your family member can’t come in to help you out. Luckily, we are approved vendors for the hospital and are cleared to visit patients to notarize important documents.
We have a couple of suggestions on how to be prepared if you find yourself needing a notarization at the hospital or other medical or senior facility where access is limited.
Does the patient have an unexpired ID with them in the room?
This is especially important if the patient is older and may not have renewed their driver’s license because they don’t drive any longer. Also, patients often travel to the hospital without their purse or wallet so it is critical that the unexpired ID is actually with them or retrieved by you for us prior to our appointment. By law, we have to see the actual ID and can’t rely on a copy.
What if they don’t have a current ID?
We can also use a Senior ID from the DMV, a current passport, or other government-issued photo IDs like a Veterans Administration card or an Armed Forces ID.
If they don’t have another ID, we won’t be able to notarize any documents without two credible witnesses at the signing which can’t happen if the facility is not allowing visitors. Also, employees are often prohibited from being credible witnesses.
What about the document itself?
You would prepare and print the document that needs notarization and can meet us outside the hospital or facility so that we can bring it to the patient. Then you’d wait for us until we are able to get back to you after the notarization. If you are in a pinch, we can print the document for a small additional charge.
How do we pay for the service?
Once we bring the document back to you, you can pay by cash, check, Venmo, Zell, ApplePay or credit card.
Anything else we should think about?
Let us know if there are any special circumstances that might prevent a patient from being able to sign the documents easily or otherwise affect the signing. This helps us with how much time to commit to the appointment and with what to expect.
Have other questions? We have a great deal of experience visiting medical and senior facilities like Cottage Hospital, Mission Terrace, Samarkand, Valle Verde, Maravilla, Vista del Monte, Serenity House, Villa Santa Barbara, etc. Call or text us with any questions.
