Documents we notarize → Will Notarizations
Will Notarization in Your Area
Will signings handled with discretion and without a rush — at home, at the
hospital or at your attorney’s office. We can bring witnesses if your will needs them.
Witnesses available on request
Same-day often available
What you need to know
How a will actually gets executed
A will is a witnessed document first and a notarized one second. In nearly every
state, what makes a will valid is the testator signing in front of two competent adult witnesses who then
sign themselves. A notary seal on its own does not substitute for that.
Where the notary comes in is the self-proving affidavit — a short sworn statement
attached to the will, signed by the testator and the witnesses in front of a notary. It is not required,
but it changes what happens years later: with it, the probate court can accept the will without tracking
down the witnesses and asking them to testify. A few states do not use the self-proving affidavit at all,
so the right approach depends on where the will is being signed.
Tell us which state and we will tell you what your signing will look like before we come out.
Last will and testament
The main signing — testator and witnesses together, with the self-proving affidavit notarized at the same table.
Pour-over wills
The will that accompanies a living trust and directs anything left outside it into the trust. See trust documents.
Codicils and amendments
A change to an existing will is executed with the same formality as the original — same witnesses, same affidavit.
Self-proving affidavits
Where a will was signed without one, the affidavit can often be added later while the testator and the original witnesses are still available.
Witnesses
Who can witness a will
Witness rules are where DIY will signings usually go wrong. As a general matter a witness must be an
adult, mentally competent, and present when the testator signs. Most states also disqualify anyone who
inherits under the will — an “interested witness” can void their own gift, and in some states can put the
whole document in question.
- Not the spouse, children or anyone else named as a beneficiary
- Not the executor, in states that treat them as interested
- Not the notary, who is performing a separate act
- Present in the room for the actual signing — not signing later that evening
- Able to be identified, since they may sign the self-proving affidavit before the notary
Neighbors and colleagues are the classic solution. Where that is not practical — a hospital room, a
care facility, a family where nearly everyone inherits — tell us when you book and we can bring
independent adult witnesses to the appointment.
Before we arrive
What to have ready
Have ready
- Valid government-issued photo ID for the testator, and for the witnesses if they sign the affidavit
- The full will, printed and complete, unsigned — including the affidavit page
- Two qualified witnesses lined up, or a request for us to bring them
- Every page in order, with nothing left blank
- A quiet room and an unhurried half hour. This one should not feel rushed
Common mistakes
- Signing the will in advance and asking the notary to seal it afterwards
- Using beneficiaries as witnesses — the most common way a will gets challenged
- Witnesses signing at different times or in another room
- Printing the will without the self-proving affidavit page
- Handwriting changes onto a printed will at the table instead of reprinting it
- Leaving the signing until the testator is no longer able to understand what they are signing
Will requirements are state-specific and the consequences of getting them wrong land
on your family, not on you. Have an attorney draft or review the will. We notarize signatures — we cannot
draft, correct or advise on the document.
Will questions
Frequently asked
Does a will have to be notarized?
In most states, no — witnesses are what make it valid. Notarization is used for the
self-proving affidavit attached to the will, which lets a probate court accept it without calling the
witnesses to testify. Some states do not use that affidavit at all. Tell us which state you are in and
we will explain how your signing works.
Can you bring witnesses?
Yes, on request. Say so when you book, because it changes who we send. Bringing our own
witnesses is often the cleanest option when most of the family stands to inherit.
Can you notarize a handwritten will?
We can notarize a signature on a handwritten document, but whether a handwritten (holographic)
will is valid depends entirely on state law, and several states reject them outright. Do not rely on
one without legal advice.
The testator is in hospital. Can this be done there?
Yes, and it is a common call. The requirements do not change: the testator must be awake,
aware and able to communicate with the notary directly, and the witnesses must be in the room for the
signing. Hospital and care facility travel is a flat $65.
Can you notarize a copy of a will?
No. A notary certifies a signature made in their presence, not the authenticity of an existing
document. If you need a certified copy, the court that holds the original or the attorney who drafted
it is the place to ask.
What does a will signing cost?
From $15 per notarized signature, plus a flat $50 travel fee to a standard address or $65 to a
hospital or care facility. A will signing usually involves the testator and two witnesses on the
affidavit, so ask for a total when you call. Provided witnesses are quoted separately — see
Our Pricing.
Related services
Our notaries are not attorneys. We cannot give legal advice, or help you choose,
prepare or complete a document.
Ready to sign your will?
We come to you anywhere in Your Area, bring witnesses if you need them, and take the
time to do it properly.