--- title: "North Dakota Will Signing Requirements: Witnesses & Notary" description: "North Dakota will signing rules: 2 witnesses, beneficiary witnesses, the self-proving affidavit, handwritten wills, from the statute." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/will-signing-requirements-north-dakota" --- Will signing · North Dakota # North Dakota will signing requirements How many witnesses, who shouldn't witness, and what the statute says about the self-proving affidavit, handwritten wills, electronic wills and the minimum age. ✓ New Jersey commissioned notary, no. 50244803, insured for errors and omissions. [See the credentials](/about/credentials) **Short answer.** 2 witnesses. A self-proving affidavit is sworn before a notary. Handwritten wills: yes. ## At a glance Witnesses Two witnesses who saw the testator sign, or instead a notary public to whom the testator acknowledged the will. "At least two individuals, who witnessed the testator sign the Will" Beneficiary as witness A beneficiary may witness (Nolo, citing N.D.C.C. 30.1-08-05), though disinterested witnesses are recommended. "allows interested parties who stand to inherit to serve as a witness" Self-proving affidavit Allowed. Per Nolo (citing 30.1-08-04), the testator and witnesses sign an affidavit in front of a notary public. Handwritten wills Recognized if handwritten and signed by the testator. No witnesses needed. "hand written by the testator and signed by the testator" Electronic wills Authorized. An electronic will needs a record readable as text, a signature, and two witnesses or a notary. (N.D.C.C. 30.1-37-04) "An Electronic Will is a Will for all purposes of the law of North Dakota." Minimum age 18 or older, of sound mind. "An adult (18 years of age older) who is of sound mind may make a Will." ## Worth knowing North Dakota lets a notary public stand in for the two witnesses: the testator acknowledges the will to the notary. ## Signing day here - **Witnesses to bring:** Bring 2 witnesses. - **Notary and the self-proving affidavit:** Have a notary there for the self-proving affidavit. The official page we read names a notary public. The full list, with ID and who shouldn't witness: [signing-day checklist for North Dakota](/notary/will-signing-day-checklist?state=nd). MCC Solutions provides notaries and witnesses for signings in New Jersey ([estate planning signings](/notary/estate-planning-notary), [the estate planning signing package](/notary/estate-planning-signing-package), [witness services](/notary/witness-services)). Elsewhere, a local notary can help with the self-proving affidavit. **Not confirmed on the pages we read:** remote witnessing. ## Sources - [Wills Research Guide (North Dakota Legal Self Help Center, rev. January 2025)](https://www.ndcourts.gov/Media/Default/Legal%20Resources/Legal%20Self%20Help/Probate/Wills%20Research%20Guide.pdf) (checked November 2026) - [Nolo (secondary source): How to Make Will in North Dakota (Nolo, updated September 2025)](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/north-dakota-make-will-31737.html) (checked November 2026) Sourced from official pages; a few facts from vetted secondary sources, marked "(secondary source)". General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Have a lawyer prepare or review your will. Checked November 2026 against the official pages listed above. Rules change, and how a rule applies to one will is a question for a lawyer licensed in the state. A notary can't give legal advice or draft a will. ## Common questions **How many witnesses does a will need in North Dakota?** 2. Two witnesses who saw the testator sign, or instead a notary public to whom the testator acknowledged the will. **Does a will need a notary in North Dakota?** Not to be valid on the pages we read; the notary is for the self-proving affidavit. Allowed. Per Nolo (citing 30.1-08-04), the testator and witnesses sign an affidavit in front of a notary public. **Can a beneficiary witness a will in North Dakota?** A beneficiary may witness (Nolo, citing N.D.C.C. 30.1-08-05), though disinterested witnesses are recommended. The statute: "allows interested parties who stand to inherit to serve as a witness." **Is a handwritten will valid in North Dakota?** Recognized if handwritten and signed by the testator. No witnesses needed. **Are electronic wills allowed in North Dakota?** Authorized. An electronic will needs a record readable as text, a signature, and two witnesses or a notary. (N.D.C.C. 30.1-37-04) **How old do you have to be to make a will in North Dakota?** 18 or older, of sound mind. All states: [will witness requirements by state](/notary/will-witness-requirements-by-state) · [North Carolina](/notary/will-signing-requirements-north-carolina) · [Ohio](/notary/will-signing-requirements-ohio) Coming soon ### North Dakota Will Signing Day Kit This kit is being finished: every state rule in it is checked against official sources before it goes on sale. [See what it will include](/toolkits/north-dakota-will-signing-day-kit) ## Need a notary or witnesses in New Jersey? [See witness services](/notary/witness-services)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)