Power of Attorney Notary Services

Page Summary

Karen McCormick, a Tennessee Notary Public, comes to homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities and workplaces in the Chattanooga area to notarize powers of attorney.
She notarizes durable financial, limited and health care powers of attorney, confirming identity and willingness, but she does not give legal advice or choose the powers you grant.
In Tennessee, a health care power of attorney is generally notarized or signed before two qualified witnesses, and a POA used for real estate must be acknowledged to be recorded.
The principal, not the agent, is usually the one who must be present with acceptable ID and able to show they understand what they are signing.
Book by calling (423) 401-8316 or using the contact page; same-day visits may be available.

Services

SERVICE

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Power of Attorney Notary in Chattanooga, TN

A power of attorney only works if banks, hospitals and title companies accept it, and most of them expect the principal’s signature to be notarized. Karen McCormick, a bonded and insured Tennessee Notary Public, brings that notarization to you: at home, at work, in a hospital room or at an assisted living facility anywhere in Chattanooga, Hixson and the surrounding Hamilton County communities.

She notarizes financial (durable) powers of attorney, health care powers of attorney, limited and vehicle powers of attorney, and revocations. Karen confirms the principal’s identity, that they understand what they are signing and that they are signing willingly. She does not choose the form or give legal advice; for that, talk to a Tennessee attorney.

Before the visit: have the complete, unsigned document ready, a current photo ID for every signer, and any witnesses the document requires. Read how to get a power of attorney notarized, or request an appointment.

Getting a power of attorney notarized where you are

Powers of attorney are often needed at hard moments: a parent heading into surgery, a spouse in rehab, a family member deployed or working out of state. Karen McCormick, a Tennessee Notary Public, travels to homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities and workplaces around Chattanooga so the person granting the authority can sign without making a trip.

A notary’s job at a power of attorney signing is specific: confirm the signer’s identity, make sure they appear to understand what they are signing and are doing it willingly, watch them sign, and complete the notarial certificate. The notary does not decide which powers to grant, draft custom language or give legal advice.

Common types of power of attorney

Durable financial power of attorney lets an agent handle money, bills, property and accounts, and stays in effect if the principal later becomes incapacitated. Tennessee’s durable power of attorney law generally requires specific durability wording in the document.
Limited or specific power of attorney covers a single task or time period, such as selling a vehicle or signing closing papers for one property.
Health care power of attorney or advance directive names someone to make medical decisions if you cannot. Our article on durable versus medical power of attorney compares the two.

What Tennessee generally requires

Document	Signing requirement in general terms
Health care power of attorney / advance directive	Signed by the principal and either notarized or witnessed by two qualified adult witnesses (not the agent, and at least one not related to the principal or in line to inherit).
Financial power of attorney used for real estate	To be recorded with a county register of deeds, it must be acknowledged before a notary or proved by two subscribing witnesses. Title companies generally expect notarization.
Other financial powers of attorney	Institutions such as banks and brokerages commonly require notarization before they will honor the document.

These are general descriptions, not legal advice; the attorney or institution involved can confirm exactly what your document needs. For a practical walkthrough, see how to get a power of attorney notarized, step by step, and if witnesses are part of the plan, read whether you need witnesses in addition to a notary.

Hospital, bedside and memory-care signings

Many power of attorney appointments happen at a bedside. A few things make them go smoothly:

Let the facility staff know a notary is coming, and ask about visiting rules.
The principal needs acceptable identification. If their license is expired or missing, mention that when booking so identification options can be discussed in advance.
The principal must be able to communicate that they understand and want to sign. A notary cannot proceed if that is not clear, which is why timing around medication or rest periods can matter.
Leave the document unsigned until the notary is present.

Our hospital and bedside notary guide and our article on notarizing for someone with dementia go into more detail.

Areas served

Mobile power of attorney notarizations are available across these communities, most in Hamilton County plus Dunlap in Sequatchie County. A Tennessee notary may perform notarial acts in any county in the state:

Frequently asked questions

Does a power of attorney have to be notarized in Tennessee?

It depends on the type and how it will be used. A health care power of attorney or advance directive in Tennessee generally must be either notarized or signed before two qualified witnesses. A financial power of attorney that will be used for real estate must be acknowledged before a notary to be recorded, and banks and title companies commonly expect notarization anyway. When in doubt, notarizing is usually the safer choice.

Does the agent need to be at the appointment?

Usually not. The person granting the authority, the principal, is the one who signs in front of the notary. Some forms include a separate agent acceptance section; check the document or ask the attorney who prepared it.

Can Karen help me fill out or choose a power of attorney form?

Karen is not an attorney and cannot give legal advice or tell you which powers to grant. As a Legal Document Assistant she can help with document preparation logistics, but the choices in the document are yours, and an estate planning attorney is the right person for legal questions.

Can a power of attorney be notarized remotely?

Tennessee does allow remote online notarization, but whether the bank, hospital or title company will accept an online-notarized power of attorney is up to them. Ask the receiving party first. Our guide to remote online notarization in Tennessee explains how it works.

Need a power of attorney signed at home, in the hospital or at an assisted living facility? Call Karen at (423) 401-8316 or send your appointment details through the contact page.

Priority Mobile Notary Services