California Advance Directive & Health Care Proxy Guide ✦
If you’re searching this, you’re already doing the responsible thing. Here’s what California actually requires, in plain English, nurse-guided and never legal advice.
What California Calls These Documents
You may see these terms used somewhat interchangeably in California: advance directive, health care proxy, living will, and medical power of attorney. California also has its own medical-orders program for seriously ill patients, commonly called POLST, which is separate from (but complements) your advance directive.
Who This Is For
Adult children helping aging parents, families facing a new diagnosis, hospice or palliative care patients, or simply anyone who wants peace of mind and doesn’t want their family to have to guess.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
- ✓ Your health care proxy, plus a backup proxy
- ✓ A general sense of your care wishes
- ✓ A current medication and allergy list
- ✓ Your doctor's contact information
California Signing Requirements at a Glance
- ✓ Must be 18 or older.
- ✓ Cannot be related to you by blood, marriage, or adoption.
- ✓ Cannot be your healthcare provider or an employee of your provider.
- ✓ Cannot be entitled to any part of your estate.
- ✓ A notary public can witness your signature instead of two witnesses.
- ✓ No witnesses are needed if the form is notarized.
- ✓ Notarization must be done in California to be valid — remote online notarization is not yet broadly available (see above).
Requirements can change. Always confirm current rules with California’s official health department before signing.
Remote Online Notarization in California
Status: Pilot only. California's remote online notarization program is in a limited pilot phase and isn't expected to be fully available until 2030. For now, the two-witness path is the practical option for most families.
What Happens Without These Documents
Without a documented advance directive, your family and care team may need to make decisions without guidance from you, which can be harder during an already emotional time. Having your wishes and proxy documented in advance is one of the simplest ways to give your family one less thing to worry about.
How Before & Beside Makes This Simple
California Resources & Next Steps
Download the official California advance directive form, and use our guided digital bundle to organize everything alongside it.
Provided by the California Department of Public Health
Get your California guide, organized and print-ready.
Free Starter Guide, or the Complete Digital Bundle for everything at once.
Nearby State Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Does California require a notary for an advance directive?⌄
Requirements vary and can change, so always confirm current rules with California's official health department. In California specifically, you can use either two qualified witnesses or a notary.
Can I complete my California advance directive online?⌄
Yes. Before & Beside walks you through a guided process to complete your documents, though signing and witnessing still needs to follow California's current rules.
What's the difference between an advance directive and a POLST form?⌄
An advance directive documents your wishes and names your health care proxy. A POLST form is a set of medical orders for seriously ill patients, signed by a clinician based on a conversation with you or your proxy — the two documents work together, not instead of each other.
Do I need a lawyer to complete my advance directive in California?⌄
Not for most people. Before & Beside provides education and guided document preparation, not legal advice — we recommend speaking with an attorney if your situation involves a complex estate or family disagreement.
Before & Beside provides education, guided document preparation, and family conversation support. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. Signing and witnessing requirements vary by state and can change; please confirm current requirements in your state and consult an attorney for complex legal, estate, or financial questions. Documents you complete with us are meant to be shared with your physician, hospice or palliative care team, and your attorney.