--- title: "Do You Need a Notary for a Will in Massachusetts? | MCC" description: "Massachusetts 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-massachusetts" --- Does it need a notary? · Massachusetts # Do you need a notary for a will in Massachusetts? 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 witnesses, who saw the signing or the testator's acknowledgment. A notary isn't part of that rule; one comes in for the self-proving affidavit, where it's used. ## In the source's wording "at least 2 individuals" From the sources listed below, checked November 2026. ## What else the signing needs Self-proving affidavit Allowed at signing or later, before an officer authorized to administer oaths where it is signed. "before an officer authorized to administer oaths" Interested witnesses The will stays valid, but a gift to a witness or the witness's spouse is void unless two other witnesses who get nothing similar also signed, or the witness shows no fraud or undue influence. "a devise to a witness or a spouse of such witness shall be void" Remote or video signing Not provided for: no Massachusetts law we found lets witnesses appear by video, and e-wills aren't authorized (Nolo's Massachusetts page, updated September 2025). Electronic wills Not authorized, per Nolo's Massachusetts page (updated September 2025). "Massachusetts currently doesn't allow e-wills" Handwritten wills Not recognized, per Nolo's Massachusetts page (updated September 2025), citing G.L. c. 190B, 2-502. "Massachusetts doesn't permit holographic wills" Who can make a will 18 or older and of sound mind. "An individual 18 or more years of age who is of sound mind may make a will." ## 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: Not provided for: no Massachusetts law we found lets witnesses appear by video, and e-wills aren't authorized (Nolo's Massachusetts page, updated September 2025). Need a notary for the self-proving affidavit in Massachusetts? We can look for a mobile notary commissioned there; bring your own witnesses (two). [Request a mobile notary in Massachusetts](/notary/mobile-notary-outside-new-jersey) If a local notary in Massachusetts does it: No general maximum per notarization; fees are fixed only for protests, under the state's fee rules ([Massachusetts notary fees](/notary/fees-by-state/massachusetts)). ## Sources - [M.G.L. c.190B, 2-502, Execution; witnessed wills (Massachusetts Legislature)](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartII/TitleII/Chapter190B/Section2-502) (checked November 2026) - [M.G.L. c.190B, 2-504, Self-proved will (Massachusetts Legislature)](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartII/TitleII/Chapter190B/Section2-504) (checked November 2026) - [M.G.L. c.190B, 2-505, Who may witness (Massachusetts Legislature)](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartII/TitleII/Chapter190B/Section2-505) (checked November 2026) - [M.G.L. c.190B, 2-501, Who may make will (Massachusetts Legislature)](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartII/TitleII/Chapter190B/ArticleII/Section2-501) (checked November 2026) - [Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Massachusetts (Nolo, updated September 2025)](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/massachusetts-make-will-31818.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 Massachusetts?** No, not for the will itself. The signing rule on the pages we read asks for two witnesses, who saw the signing or the testator's acknowledgment. A notary isn't part of that rule; one comes in for the self-proving affidavit, where it's used. **Where does a notary come in for a Massachusetts will?** The self-proving affidavit. Allowed at signing or later, before an officer authorized to administer oaths where it is signed. **Can a will be signed over video in Massachusetts?** Not provided for: no Massachusetts law we found lets witnesses appear by video, and e-wills aren't authorized (Nolo's Massachusetts page, updated September 2025). **Can a beneficiary witness a Massachusetts will?** The will stays valid, but a gift to a witness or the witness's spouse is void unless two other witnesses who get nothing similar also signed, or the witness shows no fraud or undue influence. ## Keep going - [Massachusetts will signing requirements](/notary/will-signing-requirements-massachusetts) - [Will signing-day checklist](/notary/will-signing-day-checklist?state=ma) - [Will witness rules in every state](/notary/will-witness-requirements-by-state) - [A small estate affidavit in Massachusetts](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/small-estate-affidavit-massachusetts) A will in another state: [Maryland](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/will-maryland) · [Michigan](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/will-michigan) · [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)