Notaron

Notaron does not provide legal advice. Requirements vary by state and receiving party — consult an attorney for jurisdiction-specific guidance.

Notarizing a Will Online: What's Actually Required

In most states a will does not need to be notarized to be valid — it needs the testator's signature and (typically) two witnesses. What IS commonly notarized is the self-proving affidavit attached to the will, which lets the will be admitted to probate without tracking down the witnesses later. That affidavit can be notarized online.

What you'll need

  • Testator's signature
  • Two attesting witnesses in nearly every state (they generally should not be beneficiaries)
  • Optional but recommended: a notarized self-proving affidavit signed by testator and witnesses
  • Some states restrict remote notarization for wills — verify your state before the session

Witnesses make a will valid; notarization makes it self-proving

Nearly every state requires a will to be signed by the testator and attested by two witnesses. Notarization is not what makes the will valid — but most states allow a self-proving affidavit, sworn before a notary by the testator and witnesses, which creates a presumption the will was properly executed. Without it, the probate court may need the witnesses to testify, years or decades later. Louisiana's notarial will is a notable exception where a notary is part of the execution itself.

How online notarization fits

The self-proving affidavit is a sworn statement (a jurat), and remote online notarization can perform it where state law allows. Some states have also authorized remote witnessing of wills, but rules vary more for wills than for any other document — a handful of states restrict RON for wills or codicils entirely. Check your state's rules in the validity grid below, and when in doubt have an estate attorney confirm the execution plan.

How to notarize a will online

  1. 1Confirm your state permits remote notarization for the self-proving affidavit
  2. 2Upload the will with the self-proving affidavit attached — don't sign yet
  3. 3Verify identity; witnesses join as additional participants where allowed
  4. 4Sign and swear before the notary on video, then download the notarized document

Can you notarize a will online in your state?

Yes — in every state. 45 states have enacted their own remote online notarization (RON) laws, and residents of the remaining states can legally notarize online with a commissioned notary in a RON-authorized state; the notarization is valid nationwide under interstate recognition rules. Select your state for its specific requirements.

AlabamaValid via out-of-state notaryAlaskaRON authorized since 2021ArizonaRON authorized since 2020ArkansasRON authorized since 2020CaliforniaLaw pending — valid via out-of-state notaryColoradoRON authorized since 2020ConnecticutRON authorized since 2023DelawareLaw pending — valid via out-of-state notaryDistrict of ColumbiaRON authorized since 2023FloridaRON authorized since 2020GeorgiaValid via out-of-state notaryHawaiiRON authorized since 2024IdahoRON authorized since 2020IllinoisRON authorized since 2022IndianaRON authorized since 2019IowaRON authorized since 2020KansasRON authorized since 2021KentuckyRON authorized since 2020LouisianaRON authorized since 2022MaineRON authorized since 2023MarylandRON authorized since 2020MassachusettsRON authorized since 2023MichiganRON authorized since 2019MinnesotaRON authorized since 2019MississippiLaw pending — valid via out-of-state notaryMissouriRON authorized since 2020MontanaRON authorized since 2019NebraskaRON authorized since 2020NevadaRON authorized since 2019New HampshireRON authorized since 2022New JerseyRON authorized since 2022New MexicoRON authorized since 2021New YorkRON authorized since 2023North CarolinaRON authorized since 2023North DakotaRON authorized since 2019OhioRON authorized since 2019OklahomaRON authorized since 2020OregonRON authorized since 2022PennsylvaniaRON authorized since 2020Rhode IslandRON authorized since 2023South CarolinaValid via out-of-state notarySouth DakotaRON authorized since 2020TennesseeRON authorized since 2019TexasRON authorized since 2018UtahRON authorized since 2019VermontRON authorized since 2022VirginiaRON authorized since 2012WashingtonRON authorized since 2020West VirginiaRON authorized since 2021WisconsinRON authorized since 2020WyomingRON authorized since 2021

Frequently asked questions

Does a will need to be notarized to be valid?
No — in almost every state a will is valid with the testator's signature and two witnesses, without any notary. The notarized self-proving affidavit is optional but strongly recommended because it lets the probate court accept the will without contacting the witnesses.
Can I notarize a will's self-proving affidavit online?
In many states, yes — it's a sworn affidavit and RON laws cover it. However, several states carve wills and codicils out of their remote notarization statutes, so check your state's rules first (each state page in the grid below lists document restrictions).
Can witnesses attend remotely too?
Some states permit remote witnessing of wills; others require witnesses to be physically present with the testator. This is the most state-specific part of will execution — confirm your state's rule or consult an estate attorney.

Free related templates

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