Power of Attorney Notarization in Sacramento
We come to you: home, hospital, office, or care facility. Same-day and evening appointments available throughout Sacramento and the surrounding counties.
What you need to know
What Is a Power of Attorney?
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that grants one person, called the agent or attorney-in-fact, the authority to act on behalf of another person, called the principal. The agent can make financial, legal, or medical decisions depending on what type of POA is created.
Powers of Attorney are one of the most important estate planning documents a person can have. They are commonly used when someone becomes ill or incapacitated, when traveling abroad, or when handling real estate transactions while out of state.
Types of Power of Attorney We Notarize
Remains in effect if the principal becomes incapacitated. The most common for elder care planning.
Grants authority for a specific transaction or time period (e.g., signing real estate documents while you're out of town).
Only takes effect when a specific event occurs, such as incapacitation.
Covers banking, investments, bill paying, and financial decisions.
Grants medical decision-making authority. Often paired with an Advance Healthcare Directive.
Which form covers which: California's Uniform Statutory Form Power of Attorney (below) grants durable, general, financial, or limited authority on a single document, where you initial the powers you want and add durability language. Medical decision-making uses a separate document, the Advance Health Care Directive (also below). A springing POA is drafted by an attorney, as California publishes no official springing form.
Legal requirements
Does a POA Need to Be Notarized?
In California, a Durable Power of Attorney must be signed before either a notary public or two adult witnesses. However, notarization is strongly recommended for all Power of Attorney documents because:
- Banks and financial institutions almost universally require a notarized POA before honoring it
- Courts and government agencies prefer notarized documents
- Real estate transactions require notarization of any POA used to transfer property
- A notarized POA is much harder to challenge or dispute later
- Out-of-state use often requires notarization
Hospital & Senior Care
When a loved one is in the hospital and time is critical, our notaries can come to the bedside, often the same day. Don't wait on paperwork. Call us at (916) 222-2251.
Before we arrive
What to Have Ready
Before your notary appointment, make sure you have the following:
Have ready
- Valid government-issued photo ID: a driver's license, passport, or state ID that is current, or was issued within the past five years
- Your unsigned Power of Attorney document (do not sign it in advance)
- All signers present if multiple parties need to sign
- Any witnesses required by your attorney (some POA documents require witnesses in addition to notarization)
- A complete document. The notary cannot notarize documents with blank spaces meant to be filled in later
- Payment for notary services (cash, credit card, Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App accepted)
Common mistakes: what NOT to do
- Do not sign the document before the notary arrives. A pre-signed POA cannot be notarized
- Do not bring an ID that is both expired and more than five years old. California accepts an ID that is current, or that was issued within the past five years
- Do not submit a document with blank spaces. Fill in everything before the appointment
- Do not use a photocopy of someone else's ID. The signer must be physically present
- Do not assume the notary will draft the document. We notarize; we do not provide legal advice. Have an attorney draft your POA if needed
Free download
Download a Power of Attorney Form
California publishes an official Uniform Statutory Form Power of Attorney (Probate Code § 4401) for financial and general authority, and a separate Advance Health Care Directive (Probate Code § 4701) for medical decisions. Both are free below. Download the one you need, complete it, and have it ready for your appointment, but do not sign it until your notary is present. Our notaries notarize signatures; we do not draft documents or give legal advice. For a POA tailored to your situation, consult an attorney.
Official state forms: altering their language may invalidate them. Need other forms? See our Download Forms page.
Power of attorney questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Power of Attorney need to be notarized in California?
California law allows a Durable Power of Attorney to be executed before either a notary public or two adult witnesses. However, notarization is required if the POA involves real estate, and most banks and financial institutions will only accept a notarized POA. We strongly recommend notarizing all POA documents.
Can I sign the Power of Attorney before the notary arrives?
No. You must sign your Power of Attorney in the presence of the notary. The notary must witness the act of signing. Pre-signed documents cannot be notarized and must be re-done.
Can you come to a hospital or care facility?
Yes. Our notaries travel to hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living communities throughout Sacramento. We come to the bedside at UC Davis Medical Center, Sutter Medical Center, Mercy General, Kaiser Permanente, and more. Same-day hospital visits are often available. Call us.
Does the person granting the POA need to be mentally competent?
Yes, and they also have to be able to communicate with the notary directly. The principal (the person granting the authority) must be mentally competent, awake and responsive, and acting of their own free will at the time of signing. The Secretary of State's handbook says an interpreter should not be used, because vital information can be lost in translation, so the signer has to make their understanding and their agreement clear to the notary themselves. A notary must decline to notarize if there is reason to believe the signer does not understand what they are signing, cannot communicate their intent, or is under duress.
How much does it cost to notarize a Power of Attorney in California?
The notary fee is $15 per notarized signature, the California state-regulated maximum. The travel fee is $50 for standard locations and $65 for hospitals and care facilities. Both travel fees are flat, with no distance surcharges and no hidden fees. Call or text (916) 222-2251 and we'll confirm the total before we come out. We take cash, credit card, Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App.
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Ready when you are
Need a Power of Attorney Notarized Today?
We come to you: home, hospital, office, or anywhere in Sacramento. Same-day appointments are often available. Call or text and we'll talk through exactly what you need.
Call or Text(916) 222-2251