Health and personal care · California
Advance Care Planning
Use California's official checklist to understand advance health-care directives, choosing an agent, sharing preferences, and keeping the document accessible.
Educational directory only. This page is not legal advice and does not replace the official instructions.
What this resource covers
Use California's official checklist to understand advance health-care directives, choosing an agent, sharing preferences, and keeping the document accessible.
This document or guide is specific to California. Do not substitute a similarly named form from another state, province, or territory.
Before you sign
California law does not require one mandatory advance-directive form, but the document must contain required provisions. Follow a current California form and its witness or notarization instructions.
If capacity is disputed, the appointment is complex, or property crosses jurisdictions, get advice from a qualified lawyer or notary where appropriate.
After it is properly completed
Give usable copies to your agent and health-care providers, tell trusted people where the signed original is stored, and review the document after major life or relationship changes.
You can then record its location and the responsible contacts in BeforeHand. Uploading a file does not make it legally valid or replace delivery, registration, witnessing, or notarization required elsewhere.
Open the official resource
This external page is maintained by California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General. Check its revision date and instructions before relying on a saved copy.
Open California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General resource →