Yes, you can notarize a will remotely in many states through a licensed online notary using video conferencing. Notarizing a will makes it self-proving, meaning your witnesses will not have to testify in court later, which speeds up probate and lowers the burden on your heirs.
A notary is a public official who verifies identity and witnesses the signing of important documents. Getting your will notarized is not required for the will to be valid in most states, but it adds a layer of protection that can save your family time and money after you are gone. Below, we walk through what a notary does, how remote notarization works, and how to get your will and trust notarized without leaving home. When you are ready to put a valid will in place, FastWill's will package walks you through the entire process, including notarization.
What Does a Notary Public Actually Do
A notary public is an impartial witness appointed by the state to prevent fraud in legal and financial transactions. When you sign a will in front of a notary, the notary confirms your identity, watches you sign, and applies a seal or stamp certifying that the signature is genuine. Notaries do not review your will for legal accuracy. Their job is limited to confirming who signed the document and when.
Why Notarizing Your Will Matters: The Self-Proving Affidavit
Most states do not require a will to be notarized for it to be legally valid. What notarization does is let you create a self-proving affidavit, a sworn statement signed by your witnesses in front of a notary. This affidavit confirms that you had testamentary capacity and that the will was properly signed and witnessed.
Without a self-proving will, the probate court can require your witnesses to appear in person and testify about how the will was signed. That can be a real problem if a witness has moved away, is elderly, or has died in the years since you signed your will. A self-proving affidavit removes that requirement entirely, so probate moves faster and your executor spends less time in court.
How Remote Online Notarization Works
Remote online notarization, often called RON, lets you meet with a notary through a secure video call instead of in person. The process typically works like this:
- You schedule an appointment with a notary who is licensed to perform remote notarizations in your state.
- You and your witnesses join a secure video conference at the scheduled time.
- You upload a government-issued photo ID, and the notary verifies your identity, sometimes with additional identity-verification questions.
- You sign the will electronically while the notary and witnesses watch in real time.
- The notary applies an electronic seal and signature, then the finished, notarized document is delivered to you electronically.
This is essentially the same process as an in-person notarization, just conducted over video instead of across a desk. New York is one example of a state that formally authorized this process; our article on New York's remote notarization law covers the specific requirements there. For a broader look at how this technology fits into estate planning, see our guide on how remote notary services validate a will.
Is Remote Notarization Legal in Your State
Remote notarization laws vary significantly by state. Some states have fully authorized RON with detailed rules about identity verification, video retention, and where the notary must be physically located. Other states allow it only in limited circumstances, and a few still require in-person notarization. Before you rely on remote notarization for your will, check your state's current rules or use a service built to keep track of them for you.
Is Remote Notarization Safe
Security is the top concern people raise about remote notarization, and it is a fair question when you are dealing with a document as important as a will. Reputable RON platforms use encrypted video sessions, keep an audit trail of who was present and what identification was used, and retain a recording of the session, often for at least ten years, in case the notarization is ever challenged. Look for a provider that discloses its security practices before you use it.
What You Need for a Remote Notarization Appointment
- A computer, tablet, or phone with a working camera and microphone, and a stable internet connection.
- A current government-issued photo ID for you and for each witness.
- The document you want notarized, ready to sign electronically during the session.
- Your witnesses, either in the room with you or joining the video call from their own device.
Most appointments take less than thirty minutes once everyone has their documents ready.
What FastWill Handles for You
Building your will is only half the job. FastWill's platform guides you through your state's specific signing and witnessing rules, then connects you to notarization so your finished will is self-proving from day one. That means your executor is not stuck tracking down witnesses years later. If you are drafting your first estate plan and want to compare a traditional paper will to a fully digital one, read our article on creating an electronic will. If you have not started your estate plan yet, you can build your will with FastWill and handle signing, witnessing, and notarization in one sitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a notarized will more valid than one that is not notarized?
Notarization does not make a will more legally valid in most states. What it does is make the will self-proving, which speeds up probate by removing the need for witnesses to testify in court.
Can I notarize my will completely online?
In states that allow remote online notarization, yes. You meet with a licensed notary through a secure video call, verify your identity, sign electronically, and receive the notarized document electronically.
Do my witnesses need to be with me in person for remote notarization?
No. Your witnesses can be in the room with you or join the same video session from their own device, depending on the platform and your state's rules.
What happens if my will is not notarized when I die?
The will can still be valid, but the probate court may require your witnesses to testify about how it was signed, which can slow down the process, especially if a witness is unavailable or has passed away.
How long does remote notarization take?
Most sessions take fifteen to thirty minutes once you and your witnesses have your identification and documents ready to go.
Get Your Will Signed, Witnessed, and Notarized in One Sitting
A will you never got around to finishing does not protect anyone. FastWill's platform helps you draft, sign, witness, and notarize your will and trust documents from home, following the specific rules that apply in your state. Start your will with FastWill and take notarization off your to-do list today.
