Hospital Notary in Portland: Bedside Signings at Hospitals and Care Facilities

Call (971) 394-4152 or book an appointment online.

How a bedside notary visit works

1. Who should call. A family member, friend, attorney or social worker usually books. Tell us the facility, the room or unit, the type of document and how many signatures need notarizing.
2. What to have ready. The complete, unsigned document with no blank spaces; the patient’s ID; and the names of any witnesses the document requires. See what to bring.
3. Check with the nurse’s station. Before you confirm a time, ask the unit whether visitors are allowed, whether there are isolation precautions, and when the patient is usually most alert. The notary checks in with staff on arrival and follows the facility’s visitor rules.
4. The notary speaks with the patient. The signer must be aware of what they are signing and able to communicate with the notary. The notary talks with the patient directly. If the patient is asleep, heavily sedated, confused or appears pressured, the notary will not proceed.
5. Signing. The notary checks ID, watches the patient sign, completes the notarial certificate and records the act in the journal.

ID rules at the bedside

Patients often arrive without a wallet, or have been in care long enough for a license to lapse.

• Accepted ID in Oregon: a passport, a driver license or ID card from any state, a military ID or a tribal ID.
• The three-year rule: in both Oregon and Washington the ID may be current or expired no more than three years before the signing.
• Credible witness: if there is no acceptable ID, a credible witness may identify the patient. The witness appears in person, takes an oath, and must be personally known to the notary or carry acceptable ID. Ask about this when you book.

A hospital wristband or a facility face sheet is not one of the listed forms of ID.

If the patient cannot physically sign

Under Oregon law (ORS 194.250) and Washington law (RCW 42.45.070), a person who is physically unable to sign may direct another individual, other than the notary, to sign their name. The notary then writes on the document that the signature was affixed by that person at the direction of the signer.

This covers physical inability only. The patient still has to understand the document and give the instruction to the notary. Check with whoever will receive the document that they accept a signature made this way.

Witnesses

Some documents need witnesses as well as, or instead of, a notary, and many restrict who can serve. The document’s own instructions will say. Hospital employees are frequently not permitted to witness patient documents, so arrange witnesses in advance. See notary and witness services.

Documents commonly signed in hospitals and care facilities

• Powers of attorney
• Advance directives
• Affidavits and sworn statements
• Real estate documents (see real estate notary services)

We notarize signatures. We do not give legal advice and cannot tell you which document you need or how to fill it in.

Hospitals we travel to

Grouped by the Pac Signing office that is usually closest. We visit nursing home, assisted living and hospice locations in the same areas.

Pac Signing Notary is an independent notary business. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by any hospital or health system listed; names are given only to show where we travel.

Fees

Oregon hospitals and care facilities. Travel fee from $70, agreed before the notary travels, plus $10 per notarized signature and stamp. Example: one signature at an Oregon address near one of our offices is $80.

Washington hospitals and care facilities. Travel fee from $70, agreed before the notary travels, plus $15 per notarial act.

The travel fee is separate from the notarial fee and is not set by law. See pricing.

Frequently asked questions

Can a notary come to a hospital room in Portland?

Yes. A Pac Signing mobile notary can travel to a patient’s room at hospitals across the Portland metro area and Vancouver, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, often the same day. Check the unit’s visitor rules before booking a time.

How much does a hospital notary visit cost?

The travel fee starts at $70 and is agreed before the notary travels. Added to that is $10 per notarized signature and stamp in Oregon or $15 per notarial act in Washington. One signature at an Oregon hospital near one of our offices is $80.

The patient’s driver license has expired. Can the document still be notarized?

Often, yes. Oregon and Washington both accept a listed ID that expired no more than three years before the signing. Otherwise a credible witness may be able to identify the patient under oath.

What if the patient is too weak to hold a pen?

A signer who is physically unable to sign may direct another person, not the notary, to sign for them. The patient must still understand the document and tell the notary this is what they want.

Will the notary go ahead if the patient is sedated or confused?

No. The signer has to be aware of what they are signing and able to communicate with the notary. If not, the notary will stop, and the visit can be rebooked for when the patient is alert.

Can the notary tell us which power of attorney form to use?

No. A notary is not an attorney and cannot choose, prepare or explain a legal document. Ask an attorney or the hospital’s social work team which form fits.

Do you provide witnesses for a bedside signing?

Tell us when you book if the document calls for witnesses; see notary and witness services. Hospital staff are often not permitted to act as witnesses.

Related pages

• Mobile notary services – the main mobile notary page
• Notary and witness services
• What to bring to a notary appointment
• Jail and correctional facility notary
• In-office notary services
• City pages: Hillsboro, Beaverton, Tualatin, Milwaukie, Gresham, Salem, Vancouver