Hospital Bedside Notary
California POLST forms do not require notarization — they are physician orders. We explain exactly what a POLST is, when families request notary witnessing for conflict prevention, and what we can and cannot do. If you need a notarized document for end-of-life planning, the Advance Healthcare Directive is what you need.
If you are searching for a POLST notary: California POLST does not require a notary — it is a physician order validated by a physician's and patient's (or surrogate's) signatures. A notary cannot make a POLST more or less legally binding. If you need a notarized end-of-life planning document, you likely need an Advance Healthcare Directive (AHCD). We explain both below and are happy to help you get the right document notarized.
What this page covers
A California POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) is a standardized bright-pink medical form that translates a patient's end-of-life wishes into physician orders — directing emergency responders, nurses, and care facility staff on CPR, medical interventions, and artificial nutrition. Unlike an Advance Healthcare Directive, which is the patient's own legal document, a POLST is a physician order: it must be signed by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant plus the patient or authorized surrogate. Notarization is not part of the POLST process and does not change its legal effect. We are transparent about this because honesty matters — if you need a notarized document, we can help you execute an Advance Healthcare Directive instead.
POLST vs. Advance Healthcare Directive
When families call us about POLST
The most common call we receive about POLST is from family members who believe it needs to be notarized — often because they have read that end-of-life documents require a notary. We explain the difference, and if a notarized document is needed, redirect to the Advance Healthcare Directive, which we can notarize at the bedside.
When family members disagree sharply about end-of-life decisions, some patients or families request an independent witness — including a notary — to be present when the POLST is signed, creating a dated record that the signing was voluntary and understood. We can provide this witnessing service, though it does not change the POLST's legal standing.
POLST FAQ
No. A California POLST is a physician order that requires the signatures of a licensed physician, NP, or PA plus the patient or surrogate. A notary cannot make a POLST legally binding, and notarizing it does not change its legal effect. If you need a notarized end-of-life document, the Advance Healthcare Directive is what you need — and we can notarize that at the bedside.
A California POLST (bright pink form) is a medical order that translates a patient's wishes into immediate actionable instructions for emergency responders and care facility staff. It covers CPR preferences, medical intervention levels (full treatment, limited interventions, or comfort-focused care), and artificial nutrition preferences. Unlike an AHCD, it travels with the patient between care settings and takes immediate effect.
An AHCD is the patient's own legal document — designating an agent and documenting general wishes — which requires notarization or witnesses. A POLST is a physician order signed by a licensed clinician. They are complementary: the AHCD guides long-term care decisions and agent authority; the POLST gives emergency responders and care staff immediate instructions. Many seriously ill patients benefit from having both.
A DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) is a physician's order directing staff not to perform CPR if a patient's heart or breathing stops. In California, a DNR is the CPR section of the POLST form — not a separate document. Neither requires notarization. Both require physician authorization and cannot be executed by a notary alone.
Many patients with serious illness benefit from both. The AHCD designates who speaks for you if you lose capacity and documents your broader values. The POLST gives emergency responders and care staff actionable orders without requiring them to find your AHCD or call a physician first. Your attending physician can advise on whether a POLST is appropriate for your situation.
You likely need one of these: (1) an Advance Healthcare Directive — the notarized California legal document that designates a healthcare agent and documents your wishes; or (2) a Healthcare Power of Attorney — Part 1 of the AHCD. We can notarize either at your hospital bedside. Call or text (213) 933-2507 and describe your situation and we will tell you exactly which document you need.
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