GUIDE · UPDATED NOVEMBER 2026
Do Hospitals Have Notaries?
Usually not for a patient’s personal legal documents. Here is why, which documents actually need a notary, and how families arrange a notary at the bedside instead.
The short answer
Some hospital employees hold notary commissions, but most hospitals do not offer notary services to patients for personal legal documents such as powers of attorney, wills, deeds or affidavits. When a staff notary does exist, the role is typically limited to hospital business, availability is often restricted to weekday office hours, and hospital policy frequently prohibits employees from notarizing or witnessing a patient’s legal documents. None of the major Boston hospitals we reviewed advertises notary services for patients on its official website.
For that reason, families and attorneys usually arrange an independent mobile notary who comes to the patient’s room. That is a routine part of our work, and we visit patients at hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and hospice across Greater Boston.
Why hospital staff usually cannot help
- Conflict of interest. Hospitals generally keep their clinical and administrative staff out of patients’ personal legal and financial affairs.
- Witness restrictions. Many hospitals do not permit nurses or other employees to serve as witnesses for wills, health care proxies or signatures by mark.
- Limited availability. A staff notary, where one exists, may only be available during business hours and only for hospital paperwork.
- Liability. An outside notary who is independent of the patient’s care team is the cleaner choice for documents that may be relied on later.
Need a notary at the hospital?
We come to the bedside at every Boston hospital, often the same day.
Which documents actually need a notary
Not every hospital document requires a notary, so it is worth confirming before you book.
| Document | What Massachusetts requires |
|---|---|
| Health care proxy | Two adult witnesses, neither of whom is the health care agent. No notary is required. |
| Durable power of attorney | Not required by statute, but banks expect it notarized, and it must be notarized to be recorded for real estate. |
| Will | Two witnesses. A notary completes the optional self-proving affidavit, which most attorneys include. |
| Deed or other real estate document | Notarized (acknowledged) to be recorded at the Registry of Deeds. |
| Affidavits and sworn statements | Signed under oath before a notary. |
| Vehicle title and RMV forms | Some require notarization; follow the form’s instructions. |
See Health Care Proxy vs. Power of Attorney and Signing a Power of Attorney in the Hospital.
How a bedside notary visit works
- Tell us about the patient and the documents. Use our hospital visit request or call us. We confirm the hospital, unit, room and the documents to be signed.
- Confirm the patient is ready. The patient should be alert enough to understand the document and confirm they wish to sign it. Nurses can often tell you when the patient is most alert.
- Have the documents complete. Fully prepared and unsigned, with no blank spaces.
- Locate the ID. A current government-issued photo ID with a signature. A hospital wristband is not acceptable identification.
- Plan witnesses. If the document requires witnesses, let us know in advance so they can be arranged.
- We meet you on the unit. We check in as a visitor, identify the patient, confirm willingness and understanding, watch the signing and complete the notarization.
When the patient cannot sign or has no ID
Massachusetts allows a signature by mark with two witnesses for a person who cannot sign their name, and in limited circumstances a notary may sign at the person’s direction. If the patient’s ID is at home, ask a family member to bring it. In some situations identity can be established through a credible witness; tell us in advance and we will confirm whether that option is available for your circumstances.
A notary cannot give legal advice or determine a patient’s legal capacity. If the patient does not appear to understand what they are signing, the notary cannot complete the notarization, and we will reschedule rather than proceed.
Hospitals we visit
We visit patients at every Boston hospital, including Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s, Boston Children’s, Spaulding Rehabilitation, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner, New England Baptist and Mount Auburn, as well as Beth Israel Deaconess, Boston Medical Center and Tufts Medical Center. For visiting hours, parking and check-in at each hospital, see our Boston Hospital Notary Guide.
Good to know
Staff notaries
Rarely available for patients’ personal documents.
Health care proxy
Two witnesses, no notary required.
Same-day visits
Often available, 24 hours a day.
Witnesses
Arranged in advance when needed.
Official sources
- M.G.L. c. 201D, §2: health care proxy execution
- M.G.L. c. 190B, §2-502: execution of wills
- M.G.L. c. 222: notaries public
This guide is general information about Massachusetts and federal requirements. It is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do hospitals have notaries on staff?
Some hospital employees are notaries, but most hospitals do not offer notary services to patients for personal legal documents, and staff are often not permitted to notarize or witness them.
Can a nurse notarize a document for a patient?
Only if the nurse is a commissioned notary and hospital policy allows it, which is uncommon. Most hospitals keep clinical staff out of patients’ legal documents.
Can a notary come to the hospital?
Yes. We visit patients at every Boston hospital and at rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and hospice across Greater Boston, often the same day.
Does a health care proxy need to be notarized in Massachusetts?
No. A Massachusetts health care proxy requires two adult witnesses, neither of whom is the health care agent. A notary is not required.
Can hospital staff serve as witnesses?
Often not. Many hospitals prohibit employees from witnessing patients’ legal documents, so plan witnesses in advance. We can arrange them when requested ahead of time.
What if the patient cannot sign their name?
Massachusetts allows a signature by mark with two witnesses, and in limited circumstances the notary may sign at the patient’s direction.
What ID does the patient need?
A current government-issued photo ID with a signature. A hospital wristband or medical record is not acceptable identification.
Arranging a notary at the hospital?
Tell us the hospital, the documents and your timing, and we will confirm the visit.