Advance Directive Notary — Mobile Notary in Murrieta, Temecula & Southwest Riverside County
Geoff Smith Notary is a mobile notary serving Murrieta, Temecula, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, and surrounding communities in Southwest Riverside County. If you need an advance health care directive notarized, we come to you — at your home, hospital, care facility, or wherever the signer is located. Call (951) 249-3965 to schedule an appointment.
What Is an Advance Health Care Directive?
An advance health care directive is a legal document that lets you state your wishes about medical treatment and appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make them yourself. It may include a healthcare proxy, a living will, or both.
In California, an advance health care directive can be made valid in one of two ways: signed by two qualified adult witnesses, or notarized. These are alternatives — you do not need both. If you choose to have the document notarized, witnesses are not required. If your document has a notary certificate block, bring it unsigned to the appointment.
The notary's role is to verify your identity and witness your signature — not to advise on healthcare decisions, document content, or whether a particular directive is appropriate for your situation. If you have questions about what to include in your advance directive, consult an attorney or your healthcare provider before scheduling a notary appointment.
What to Have Ready for the Appointment
To keep your appointment efficient, have the following ready before the notary arrives:
- Valid government-issued photo ID — a California driver's license or state ID is standard. A U.S. passport is also acceptable. The name on the ID must match the name on the document.
- The completed, unsigned document — the directive should be fully filled out and ready to sign. Do not sign it in advance; the signature must be made in the notary's presence.
- Clarity on notarization vs. witnesses — California advance directives can be validated by notarization or by two witnesses. Confirm which option your document uses before the appointment. If the form has both a witness section and a notary certificate, check with the organization that provided the form.
Where We Notarize Advance Directives
Advance directive signings happen in many different settings. Geoff Smith Notary serves all of them:
- At home — the most common scenario. We come to your residence so you don't have to travel.
- Hospitals and medical centers — for patients who want to execute an advance directive during or before a hospital stay. We coordinate with nursing staff and work around the patient's schedule.
- Assisted living and skilled nursing facilities — for residents who need to sign or update an advance directive. We work directly with facility staff to arrange the visit.
- Offices — for appointments coordinated through an attorney or other professional.
What the Notary Cannot Do
A notary public is not an attorney and cannot provide legal or medical advice. This means the notary cannot:
- Draft or prepare an advance directive
- Advise on what healthcare decisions to include in the document
- Explain the legal effect of any specific provision
- Determine whether the document meets the requirements of a specific healthcare provider or institution
- Tell you whether to use notarization or witnesses for your particular document
Once the document is prepared, signed in the notary's presence, and notarized, it's complete from the notary's standpoint. Guidance on content or legal requirements should come from an attorney or healthcare provider.
Pricing for Advance Directive Notarization
California law sets the notary fee at $15 per notarized signature. A travel fee also applies based on your city.
For a full breakdown of travel fees by city, see the pricing page.
Frequently Asked Questions — Advance Directive Notary
Does an advance directive need to be notarized in California?
In California, an Advance Health Care Directive can be either notarized or signed by two qualified adult witnesses — not both. If you choose notarization, witnesses are not required. Check the form you have to confirm which option applies.
Can a mobile notary come to me for an advance directive signing?
Yes. Geoff Smith Notary is a mobile notary serving Murrieta, Temecula, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, and surrounding communities. We come to your home, hospital, care facility, or wherever the signer is located.
What does the signer need for the appointment?
Valid government-issued photo ID — a California driver's license or state ID — and the completed, unsigned document. Do not sign before the notary arrives; the signature must be made in the notary's presence.
Can a notary come to a hospital or care facility?
Yes. We make mobile visits to hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and other care settings throughout Southwest Riverside County. Contact us to schedule and we'll coordinate the visit.
Does the notary provide advice on what to include in an advance directive?
No. The notary's role is to verify identity and witness the signing — not to advise on healthcare decisions or document content. For guidance on what to include, consult an attorney or your healthcare provider before scheduling.
How much does it cost to have an advance directive notarized?
The California state fee is $15 per notarized signature. A travel fee also applies based on your city. See the pricing page for details.
Related Services
Hospital Notary — mobile notary for patients at Temecula Valley Hospital, Rancho Springs Medical Center, and other facilities in Southwest Riverside County.
Care Facility Notary — mobile notary for residents of assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care facilities in Southwest Riverside County.
Power of Attorney Notary — mobile notary for power of attorney signings at your home, hospital, care facility, or office.
On-Site Notary — mobile notary for home visits, hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice.
Need an advance directive notarized in Murrieta, Temecula, Lake Elsinore, or Menifee? Call or reach out to schedule an appointment.