--- title: "Do You Need a Notary for a Will in Illinois? | MCC Solutions" description: "Illinois will: no, not for the will itself, per the official page. What else the signing needs, and the next step." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/will-illinois" --- Does it need a notary? · Illinois # Do you need a notary for a will in Illinois? The answer from the state's own pages, what else a will 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, not for the will itself. The signing rule on the pages we read asks for two or more credible witnesses, who attest in the testator's presence. A notary isn't part of that rule; the pages we read say there's no separate self-proving affidavit here either. ## In the source's wording "attested in the presence of the testator by 2 or more credible witnesses." From the sources listed below, checked November 2026. ## What else the signing needs Self-proving affidavit No separate affidavit is needed. Per Nolo's Illinois page, a will that is signed and witnessed correctly is self-proved without a self-proving affidavit, and a notary isn't needed to make the will legal. "Illinois allows your will to be self-proved without a self-proving affidavit" Interested witnesses A witness who stands to inherit under the will may lose that inheritance (Nolo, citing 755 ILCS 5/4-6). "A witness who stands to inherit under the will may lose the right to that inheritance." Remote or video signing Allowed under 755 ILCS 6. Witnesses confirm the signer's identity, the will names Illinois as its place of execution, and the witnesses are in the United States. "shall designate this State as its place of execution" Electronic wills Authorized. An electronic will is signed by the testator and attested by two or more credible witnesses. "To be valid under this Act, an electronic will shall be executed by the testator" Handwritten wills Not recognized, per Nolo's Illinois page. "Illinois does not permit handwritten (holographic) wills." Who can make a will 18 or older, of sound mind. "Every person who has attained the age of 18 years" ## Next step Plan an in-person signing, with the witnesses in the room. Online notarization of a will is generally not available through us: New Jersey's remote notarization law leaves wills and codicils out for signers outside the U.S. ([N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.10](https://pub.njleg.gov/bills/2020/PL21/179_.HTM)), and states set their own rules on video witnessing. Here: Allowed under 755 ILCS 6. Witnesses confirm the signer's identity, the will names Illinois as its place of execution, and the witnesses are in the United States. The pages we read say Illinois has no separate self-proving affidavit, so the will itself needs no notary. If another paper you're signing does, we can look for a mobile notary commissioned in Illinois. [Request a mobile notary in Illinois](/notary/mobile-notary-outside-new-jersey) If a local notary in Illinois does it: Up to $5 per notarial act (non-electronic), under the state's fee rules ([Illinois notary fees](/notary/fees-by-state/illinois)). ## Sources - [755 ILCS 5/4-3, Signing and attestation (Illinois General Assembly)](https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/075500050K4-3.htm) (checked November 2026) - [755 ILCS 5/4-1, Capacity to make a will (Illinois General Assembly)](https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/075500050K4-1.htm) (checked November 2026) - [Public Act 102-0167, Electronic Wills, Electronic Estate Planning Documents, and Remote Witnesses Act (Illinois General Assembly)](https://ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/102/102-0167.htm) (checked November 2026) - [Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Illinois (Nolo)](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/illinois-make-will-31882.html) (checked November 2026) Sourced from official pages; a few facts from vetted secondary sources, marked "(secondary source)". 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 **Does a will have to be notarized in Illinois?** No, not for the will itself. The signing rule on the pages we read asks for two or more credible witnesses, who attest in the testator's presence. A notary isn't part of that rule; the pages we read say there's no separate self-proving affidavit here either. **Is there a self-proving affidavit for a Illinois will?** No separate affidavit is needed. Per Nolo's Illinois page, a will that is signed and witnessed correctly is self-proved without a self-proving affidavit, and a notary isn't needed to make the will legal. **Can a will be signed over video in Illinois?** Allowed under 755 ILCS 6. Witnesses confirm the signer's identity, the will names Illinois as its place of execution, and the witnesses are in the United States. **Can a beneficiary witness a Illinois will?** A witness who stands to inherit under the will may lose that inheritance (Nolo, citing 755 ILCS 5/4-6). ## Keep going - [Illinois will signing requirements](/notary/will-signing-requirements-illinois) - [Will signing-day checklist](/notary/will-signing-day-checklist?state=il) - [Will witness rules in every state](/notary/will-witness-requirements-by-state) - [A power of attorney in Illinois](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/power-of-attorney-illinois) - [A small estate affidavit in Illinois](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/small-estate-affidavit-illinois) A will in another state: [Idaho](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/will-idaho) · [Indiana](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/will-indiana) · [every state](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary?doc=will) ## Signing a will in person? [Request a mobile notary](/notary/mobile-notary-outside-new-jersey)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)