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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.

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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

Confirm your state permits remote notarization for the self-proving affidavit

Upload the will with the self-proving affidavit attached — don't sign yet

Verify identity; witnesses join as additional participants where allowed

Sign and swear before the notary on video, then download the notarized document

Can you notarize a will online in your state?

Remote online notarization is authorized in 43 states, and a notarization performed under a state’s RON law is generally recognized in the others — so signers in states without their own RON statute can usually still notarize online with a commissioned notary elsewhere. Whether this document is eligible, and whether it needs witnesses, depends on your state and on the party who will accept it. Select your state for its specific rules.

Alabama Valid via out-of-state notaryAlaska RON authorized since 2021Arizona RON authorized since 2020Arkansas RON authorized since 2021California Law pending — valid via out-of-state notaryColorado RON authorized since 2020Connecticut Valid via out-of-state notaryDelaware RON authorized since 2023District of Columbia RON authorized since 2022Florida RON authorized since 2020Georgia Valid via out-of-state notaryHawaii RON authorized since 2021Idaho RON authorized since 2020Illinois RON authorized since 2023Indiana RON authorized since 2020Iowa RON authorized since 2020Kansas RON authorized since 2022Kentucky RON authorized since 2020Louisiana RON authorized since 2022Maine RON authorized since 2023Maryland RON authorized since 2020Massachusetts Law pending — valid via out-of-state notaryMichigan RON authorized since 2018Minnesota RON authorized since 2019Mississippi Valid via out-of-state notaryMissouri RON authorized since 2020Montana RON authorized since 2019Nebraska RON authorized since 2020Nevada RON authorized since 2018New Hampshire RON authorized since 2022New Jersey RON authorized since 2021New Mexico RON authorized since 2022New York RON authorized since 2023North Carolina Law pending — valid via out-of-state notaryNorth Dakota RON authorized since 2019Ohio RON authorized since 2019Oklahoma RON authorized since 2020Oregon RON authorized since 2020Pennsylvania RON authorized since 2020Rhode Island RON authorized since 2022South Carolina Valid via out-of-state notarySouth Dakota RON authorized since 2024Tennessee RON authorized since 2019Texas RON authorized since 2018Utah RON authorized since 2019Vermont RON authorized since 2022Virginia RON authorized since 2012Washington RON authorized since 2020West Virginia RON authorized since 2021Wisconsin RON authorized since 2020Wyoming RON authorized since 2021

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.

Weighing up providers? We put our pricing beside the other major platforms — including where they come out cheaper — in what online notarization actually costs.

Free related templates

Need to create a document from scratch? These free templates can be filled out, downloaded, and notarized in one flow.

Healthcare Directive (Advance Directive)Power of AttorneyAffidavit

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