No, not for the will itself.
The signing rule on the official page we read asks for two or more witnesses, who sign in the testator's conscious presence after seeing the signing or hearing it acknowledged. A notary isn't part of that rule; one comes in for the self-proving affidavit, where it's used.
What else the signing needs
- Interested witnesses
- A gift to someone who is one of only two witnesses is void.
"If a devise or bequest is made to a person who is one of only two witnesses to a will, the devise or bequest is void."
- Remote or video signing
- Not allowed. Conscious presence means within range of the testator's senses, not by phone, video or other distant communication.
"within the range of any of the testator's senses"
- Handwritten wills
- A handwritten will is fine, but it still needs two witnesses. There's no separate unwitnessed handwritten will.
"may be handwritten or typewritten"
- Who can make a will
- 18 or older, of sound mind and memory, and not under restraint.
"A person who is eighteen years of age or older, of sound mind and memory, and not under restraint may make a will."
Not confirmed on the pages we read: whether a notarized self-proving affidavit is used and electronic wills. Check with the probate court for the county where the will-maker lives (statute: Ohio Revised Code 2107.03, Method of making 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), and states set their own rules on video witnessing. Here: Not allowed. Conscious presence means within range of the testator's senses, not by phone, video or other distant communication.
Need a notary for the self-proving affidavit in Ohio? We can look for a mobile notary commissioned there; bring your own witnesses (two).
Request a mobile notary in Ohio
If a local notary in Ohio does it: Up to $5 for a notarial act that is not an online notarization, under the state's fee rules (Ohio notary fees).
Worth knowing
A will can be deposited with the probate court for safekeeping during the testator's life, for a $25 fee. A separate section sets the age to witness a will (2107.06).
Official sources
- Ohio Revised Code 2107.03, Method of making will (checked November 2026)
- Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2107, Wills (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 Ohio?
No, not for the will itself. The signing rule on the official page we read asks for two or more witnesses, who sign in the testator's conscious presence after seeing the signing or hearing it acknowledged. A notary isn't part of that rule; one comes in for the self-proving affidavit, where it's used.
Can a will be signed over video in Ohio?
Not allowed. Conscious presence means within range of the testator's senses, not by phone, video or other distant communication.
Can a beneficiary witness a Ohio will?
A gift to someone who is one of only two witnesses is void.
Who can make a will in Ohio?
18 or older, of sound mind and memory, and not under restraint.
Keep going
- Ohio will signing requirements
- Will signing-day checklist
- Will witness rules in every state
- A car title in Ohio
- A power of attorney in Ohio
- A small estate affidavit in Ohio
A will in another state: North Dakota · Oklahoma · every state