--- title: "Do You Need a Notary for a Will in Wisconsin? | MCC" description: "Wisconsin 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-wisconsin" --- Does it need a notary? · Wisconsin # Do you need a notary for a will in Wisconsin? 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, each signing within a reasonable time after the signing or 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 witnesses who signed within a reasonable time after any of the following:" From the sources listed below, checked November 2026. ## What else the signing needs Self-proving affidavit Allowed at signing or any time later, before an officer authorized to administer oaths, under official seal. "An attested will may be made self-proved at any time after its execution" Interested witnesses The will stays valid, but gifts to an interested witness or the witness's spouse are invalid beyond an intestate share unless an exception applies. "a will is not invalidated because it is signed by an interested witness" Remote or video signing Witnesses can be present by live audio-visual technology only when an attorney supervises the remote signing (Nolo, citing Wis. Stat. 853.03). "Wisconsin law requires an attorney to supervise the remote signing" Electronic wills Not authorized; a will can't be a digital file (Nolo, citing Wis. Stat. 853.03). "Wisconsin currently doesn't allow them" Handwritten wills Not recognized unless witnessed: every will must be in writing and signed with two witnesses to be validly executed (Wis. Stat. 853.03). A separate written list can leave certain tangible personal property (853.32). "Every will in order to be validly executed must be in writing and executed with all of the following formalities" Who can make a will 18 or older, of sound mind. "Any person of sound mind 18 years of age or older may make and revoke 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: Witnesses can be present by live audio-visual technology only when an attorney supervises the remote signing (Nolo, citing Wis. Stat. 853.03). Need a notary for the self-proving affidavit in Wisconsin? We can look for a mobile notary commissioned there; bring your own witnesses (two). [Request a mobile notary in Wisconsin](/notary/mobile-notary-outside-new-jersey) If a local notary in Wisconsin does it: Drawing an affidavit or other paper not otherwise provided for, per folio (plus 12 cents per folio for copying), $5, under the state's fee rules ([Wisconsin notary fees](/notary/fees-by-state/wisconsin)). ## Worth knowing Wisconsin law has a section on depositing a will with the circuit court during the testator's lifetime (853.09). ## Sources - [Wis. Stat. Chapter 853, Wills (Wisconsin Legislature)](https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/853) (checked November 2026) - [Wis. Stat. 853.03, Execution of wills (Wisconsin Legislature)](https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/853/_4?up=1) (checked November 2026) - [Wis. Stat. 853.04 and 853.07, Self-proved will; Witnesses (Wisconsin Legislature)](https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/853/I/04) (checked November 2026) - [Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Wisconsin (Nolo)](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/wisconsin-make-will-32065.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 Wisconsin?** No, not for the will itself. The signing rule on the pages we read asks for two witnesses, each signing within a reasonable time after the signing or 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 Wisconsin will?** The self-proving affidavit. Allowed at signing or any time later, before an officer authorized to administer oaths, under official seal. **Can a will be signed over video in Wisconsin?** Witnesses can be present by live audio-visual technology only when an attorney supervises the remote signing (Nolo, citing Wis. Stat. 853.03). **Can a beneficiary witness a Wisconsin will?** The will stays valid, but gifts to an interested witness or the witness's spouse are invalid beyond an intestate share unless an exception applies. ## Keep going - [Wisconsin will signing requirements](/notary/will-signing-requirements-wisconsin) - [Will signing-day checklist](/notary/will-signing-day-checklist?state=wi) - [Will witness rules in every state](/notary/will-witness-requirements-by-state) - [A power of attorney in Wisconsin](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/power-of-attorney-wisconsin) - [A small estate affidavit in Wisconsin](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/small-estate-affidavit-wisconsin) A will in another state: [West Virginia](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/will-west-virginia) · [Wyoming](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/will-wyoming) · [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)