--- title: "Massachusetts Small Estate Affidavit: Notary Needed?" description: "Massachusetts small estate affidavit: no notary is required, per the official page. What else the signing needs, and the next step." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/small-estate-affidavit-massachusetts" --- Does it need a notary? · Massachusetts # Does a small estate affidavit need a notary in Massachusetts? The answer from the state's own pages, what else a small estate affidavit needs to be signed properly here, and how to get it done. ✓ New Jersey commissioned notary, no. 50244803, insured for errors and omissions. [See the credentials](/about/credentials) No notary is required. The Voluntary Administration Statement (MPC 170) is signed under the penalties of perjury; the court's bilingual version has no notary block. ## In the official wording "FIRMADO BAJO PENA DE PERJURIO" From the official pages listed below, checked November 2026. ## What else the signing needs Value limit Personal property only, worth $25,000 or less not counting the value of a car. "$25,000 or less (excluding the value of a car)" Waiting period Thirty days or more after the death. "Thirty (30) days or more have passed from the date of the decedent's death." Where it goes The statement is filed with the Probate and Family Court in the county where the person lived. "the county Probate and Family Court" Official form Voluntary Administration Statement (MPC 170). With the instructions (MPC 961) from the Probate and Family Court. [Open the official form](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/instructions-for-voluntary-administration-with-or-without-a-will-mpc-961) Other simplified route Voluntary administration. A statement filed with the Probate and Family Court lets a voluntary administrator collect and distribute a small personal-property estate. ## Next step On the official page we read, this signing doesn't call for a notary. Follow the form's own instructions. If the office or company receiving it asks for a notarized copy anyway, we can [notarize it by video](/notary/#order) while you're in Massachusetts; there's no need to book anything otherwise. Handling an estate from far away? [Estate paperwork help near where the estate is](/notary/estate-paperwork-help-out-of-state). ## Get it notarized online today Online notary: open now until 9 PM ET · sessions by appointment · times confirmed by email A New Jersey notary can notarize this with you on a video call, wherever you are in the U.S. $50 for the session, $10 for each extra signer. Any other fee shows in the booking form before you confirm. Open 7 am to 9 pm ET, every day, by appointment. **What you need** - A valid government photo ID - A computer or phone with a camera - The unsigned document [Book an online session](/notary/?service=ron#order) Our certificate states the act was performed using communication technology, as New Jersey law requires. [What it must say](/notary/remote-online-notarization-certificate-wording) Most U.S. recipients accept a remotely notarized document; check with whoever will receive it. [What to ask them](/notary/will-my-online-notarization-be-accepted) · [Several signers](/notary/online-notarization-multiple-signers) ## Official sources - [Mass.gov: Instructions for voluntary administration with or without a will (MPC 961)](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/instructions-for-voluntary-administration-with-or-without-a-will-mpc-961) (checked November 2026) - [Probate and Family Court: Voluntary Administration Statement (MPC 170), Spanish/English version (rev. 4/15/2016, PDF)](https://www.mass.gov/doc/declaracion-voluntaria-de-administracion-segun-la-seccion-3-1201-cap-190b-de-las-leyes-generales-voluntary-administration-statement-mpc170/download) (checked November 2026) We are not lawyers, and this is general information, not legal advice. Checked November 2026. Rules change, and whoever receives the document decides what it accepts; we can't guarantee acceptance. ## Common questions **Is a notary required for a Massachusetts small estate affidavit?** No notary is required. The Voluntary Administration Statement (MPC 170) is signed under the penalties of perjury; the court's bilingual version has no notary block. **What is the small estate limit in Massachusetts?** Personal property only, worth $25,000 or less not counting the value of a car. **How long after a death can the Massachusetts affidavit be used?** Thirty days or more after the death. **Is the Massachusetts affidavit filed with a court?** The statement is filed with the Probate and Family Court in the county where the person lived. ## Keep going - [Massachusetts small estate affidavit](/notary/small-estate-affidavit-massachusetts) - [Eligibility checker](/notary/small-estate-eligibility-checker?state=ma) - [Small estate rules in every state](/notary/small-estate-affidavit-by-state) - [A will in Massachusetts](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/will-massachusetts) A small estate affidavit in another state: [Maine](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/small-estate-affidavit-maine) · [Michigan](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/small-estate-affidavit-michigan) · [every state](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary?doc=small-estate-affidavit) ## Ready to sign? Book a video session. [Book an online notarization](/notary/#order)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)