No, not for the will itself.
The signing rule on the official page we read asks for two or more competent witnesses, who sign in the testator's presence. A notary isn't part of that rule; one comes in for the self-proving affidavit, where it's used.
In the official wording
"two or more competent witnesses subscribing their names to the will in the presence of the testator"
From the official pages listed below, checked November 2026.
What else the signing needs
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed at signing or any later date, before an officer authorized to administer oaths in the state, under official seal.
"officer authorized to administer oaths under the laws of this state"
- Interested witnesses
- The will stays valid, but an interested witness loses anything above an intestate share unless two disinterested witnesses also signed.
"No will is invalidated because attested by an interested witness."
- Remote or video signing
- For an electronic will, the self-proving affidavit can be taken by a remote online notary when fewer than two witnesses are physically present.
"a remote online notary authorized to perform a remote online notarization in this state"
- Electronic wills
- Authorized. An electronic will is a will for all purposes.
"An electronic will shall be a will for all purposes of the laws of this state."
- Who can make a will
- 18 or older (or an emancipated minor), of sound mind.
"Any person of sound mind, eighteen years of age or older"
Not confirmed on the pages we read: handwritten wills. Check with the probate court for the county where the will-maker lives (statute: RSMo Chapter 474, Probate Code: Intestate Succession and Wills (Revisor of Missouri)).
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), and states set their own rules on video witnessing. Here: For an electronic will, the self-proving affidavit can be taken by a remote online notary when fewer than two witnesses are physically present.
Need a notary for the self-proving affidavit in Missouri? We can look for a mobile notary commissioned there; bring your own witnesses (two).
Request a mobile notary in Missouri
If a local notary in Missouri does it: Acknowledgment, jurat or signature witnessing, per signature, $5; Electronic acknowledgment, jurat or signature witnessing, per signature, $5, under the state's fee rules (Missouri notary fees).
Worth knowing
A will can be deposited with the probate division during the testator's life (RSMo 474.510).
Official sources
- RSMo Chapter 474, Probate Code: Intestate Succession and Wills (Revisor of Missouri) (checked November 2026)
- RSMo 474.337, Written will self-proved, how (Revisor of Missouri) (checked November 2026)
- RSMo 474.330, Who may witness will, effect of interest in will (Revisor of Missouri) (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
Does a will have to be notarized in Missouri?
No, not for the will itself. The signing rule on the official page we read asks for two or more competent witnesses, who sign in the testator's presence. 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 Missouri will?
The self-proving affidavit. Allowed at signing or any later date, before an officer authorized to administer oaths in the state, under official seal.
Can a will be signed over video in Missouri?
For an electronic will, the self-proving affidavit can be taken by a remote online notary when fewer than two witnesses are physically present.
Can a beneficiary witness a Missouri will?
The will stays valid, but an interested witness loses anything above an intestate share unless two disinterested witnesses also signed.
Keep going
- Missouri will signing requirements
- Will signing-day checklist
- Will witness rules in every state
- A car title in Missouri
A will in another state: Michigan · Nevada · every state