Professional Hospital Notary Services

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  When patients need notary services in a hospital, it’s important that they have proper ID, the document is filled out completely, and they must be both aware of what they’re signing and signing without any coercion. The following list provides specific details you need to know to best serve those who are in your care.

1. Identification 

· Government-issued ID, Driver's License (can be expired up to 5 years from the date of notarization), passport, military ID.

· Credible Witness = a friend or family member of the signer who also knows the notary. 

The credible witness will confirm the identity of the signer and the info will be documented in the notary's journal.

2. Document

· It’s the Signer’s responsibility to obtain/create the document they need notarized.

· Completion is the responsibility of the signer and or family, the notary will only check for completeness not accuracy of the document(s).

3. Signature

· Signer may have some assistance such as pointing to where the signature is placed, and holding the clipboard but cannot hold their hand to create a signature.

4. Witnesses

· It’s the Signer’s responsibility to obtain witnesses for signature, any impartial person can act as a witness,  and the facility needs to allow for extra visitors. 

*Most facilities will not allow staff to witness.

5. Awareness

· Signer needs to be alert and aware, not under conservatorship or have medical orders to prevent the signing of legal documents. 

If the notary believes the signer shows signs of lack of awareness such as inability to communicate with the notary directly, confusion, reluctance to sign, etc., the signing can be stopped even with no such medical order.

 DISCLAIMER: "I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, AND I MAY NOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE OR ACCEPT FEES FOR LEGAL ADVICE."