General Mobile Notary

Power of Attorney Notarization in Los Angeles

A mobile notary comes to your home, office, hospital, or any convenient location to notarize your power of attorney document. Don't have one yet? We bring a laptop and printer so you can create, print, sign, and notarize your POA in a single visit.

Book a POA Notary Appointment Call or Text (213) 933‑2507
Understanding Power of Attorney

What Is a Power of Attorney?

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that gives one person - called the agent or attorney-in-fact - the authority to act on behalf of another person - called the principal. The principal decides exactly what powers to grant and can revoke them at any time while they still have mental capacity.

Types of Power of Attorney

  • General POA - Grants broad authority over financial and legal matters; ends if the principal becomes incapacitated
  • Durable POA - Same broad authority, but remains in effect even if the principal becomes incapacitated; the most common type for long-term planning
  • Limited (Special) POA - Grants authority for a specific task or time period, such as selling a vehicle or signing a contract while you are out of town
  • Springing POA - Only takes effect when a specific event occurs, usually the principal's incapacitation as certified by a physician

Medical Power of Attorney

  • Healthcare POA (Advance Healthcare Directive) - Authorizes an agent to make medical decisions if the principal cannot communicate their wishes
  • Often combined with a living will that states the principal's preferences for end-of-life care
  • In California, a healthcare POA has specific witness requirements - it must be notarized or signed by two qualifying witnesses
  • If the principal resides in a skilled nursing facility, one witness must be a patient advocate or ombudsman
California Requirements

How to Notarize a Power of Attorney in California

California Probate Code § 4121 sets the requirements for a legally valid power of attorney. Here is what you need to know before your notary appointment.

Legal Requirements

  • The POA must contain the date of its execution
  • It must be signed by the principal, or by another adult in the principal's presence and at their direction
  • It must be either acknowledged before a notary public or signed by at least two adult witnesses (Cal. Prob. Code §§ 4121, 4122)
  • If the POA involves real estate, notarization is required
  • If using a statutory form, it must be notarized
  • The agent named in the POA cannot serve as a witness

Notarial Act & What to Expect

  1. A power of attorney typically requires an acknowledgment - the principal confirms their identity and that they are signing voluntarily
  2. The notary verifies the principal's identity using a valid, current government-issued photo ID
  3. The principal signs the document in the notary's presence
  4. The notary completes the acknowledgment certificate, applies their seal, and records the transaction in their journal
  5. California law requires the notary to obtain the principal's thumbprint in the journal for POA documents

Note: Some POA documents include jurat language requiring the signer to swear under oath. The notary follows whatever notarial certificate wording is specified in the document. If there is a mismatch between the document language and the certificate type, the notary will point it out so you can decide which notarial act to use.

Common Situations

When You Might Need a Power of Attorney Notarized

Financial & Legal

  • An aging parent needs someone to manage banking, bills, or investments
  • You are traveling or relocating and need someone to handle a transaction while you are away
  • A family member is incapacitated and someone needs legal authority to act on their behalf
  • You are buying or selling property and cannot attend the closing in person
  • A business partner needs authority to sign contracts or manage operations

Medical & Personal

  • You want to designate someone to make medical decisions if you cannot communicate
  • A loved one is in the hospital and urgent decisions need to be made
  • You are planning for long-term care and want to ensure your wishes are followed
  • An elderly parent in a care facility needs a healthcare directive notarized
  • You are deploying military service and need someone to manage your affairs
Before Your Appointment

What to Have Ready for Your POA Notarization

What to Bring

  • Valid, current government-issued photo ID for every signer - California driver license, state ID, U.S. passport, or foreign passport (expired IDs not accepted)
  • Your unsigned POA document - do not sign before the notary arrives
  • Any required witnesses - if your document calls for witnesses, they must be present with their own valid ID; the agent cannot be a witness
  • No document yet? We bring a laptop and printer - you can create your POA on-site using Rocket Lawyer or another legal document platform of your choice

Certified Copies of Your POA

  • California notaries are authorized to certify copies of power of attorney documents
  • Certified copies are useful when banks, financial institutions, or government agencies need a copy but you want to keep the original safe
  • Let us know at booking if you need certified copies - we can handle them at the same appointment
  • If you need your POA accepted in another country, ask about apostille services for international use
Don't Have a Document Yet?

Create Your Power of Attorney On-Site

We arrive with a complete mobile office - laptop with internet, portable printer, and scanner. If you don't already have a POA document, you can create one during your appointment.

How It Works

  1. Tell us what type of POA you need when you book, or decide when we arrive.
  2. Use our Rocket Lawyer account or any legal document platform of your choosing to select and customize your POA template on our laptop.
  3. Review the document on screen, make any changes, and finalize.
  4. We print it, you sign it, and we notarize it - all in one visit.

Available Templates

  • General power of attorney
  • Durable power of attorney
  • Limited / special power of attorney
  • Healthcare power of attorney / advance directive
  • Financial power of attorney
  • Or bring your own from any source - attorney, online platform, or pre-filled form

Disclaimer: Mobile American Notary & Apostilles is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Document templates are selected and customized by the client. The notary facilitates printing and notarization only. Please consult an attorney for legal questions.

Related Documents

Other Documents We Commonly Notarize

Power of attorney is one of the most common documents we handle. Here are other documents frequently notarized at the same appointment or on a separate visit.

Guardianship / Temporary Custody Authorization

Authorize a non-parent to make decisions for a minor - often notarized alongside a POA.
Book Appointment
Minor Travel Consent Letter

Required when a child travels without both parents - commonly needed with a POA for childcare.
Book Appointment
General Affidavit / Sworn Statement

Sworn written statements for court filings, insurance claims, disputes, and legal proceedings.
Book Appointment
View All General Notary Documents

See the full list of everyday documents we notarize across Los Angeles.
View All Documents
Frequently Asked Questions

Power of Attorney Notarization FAQ

Does a power of attorney need to be notarized in California?

California law requires a power of attorney to be either acknowledged before a notary public or signed in the presence of two adult witnesses (Cal. Prob. Code §§ 4121, 4122). If the POA involves real estate or uses a statutory form, notarization is required. Notarization is strongly recommended for all POA types because most banks, financial institutions, and government agencies will only accept a notarized version.

What type of notarization does a power of attorney require?

A power of attorney typically requires an acknowledgment - the principal confirms their identity and that they are signing voluntarily. The notary does not administer an oath for an acknowledgment. Some POA documents may include jurat language; the notary follows whatever notarial certificate wording is specified in the document.

Can a mobile notary create a power of attorney document on-site?

We bring a laptop, portable printer, and scanner to every appointment. You can use our Rocket Lawyer account or any legal document platform to create your POA on the spot - then print, sign, and notarize in one visit. The notary does not provide legal advice; document content is chosen by the client.

How much does it cost to notarize a power of attorney in Los Angeles?

Mobile notary appointments for POA documents typically include a travel fee and per-signature notarization fee. Fees vary based on the number of signatures, time of day, and travel distance. Call or text (213) 933-2507 for an exact quote.

Can I get a power of attorney notarized the same day?

Yes. Same-day and next-day appointments are frequently available. Many power of attorney situations are urgent, and we prioritize getting to you quickly. Book online or call and text (213) 933-2507.

Can the notary certify a copy of my power of attorney?

Yes. California notaries are authorized to certify copies of power of attorney documents. This is useful when you need to provide a copy to a bank, financial institution, or government agency while keeping the original safe. Let us know at booking and we can handle certified copies at the same appointment.