Does a Will Have To Be Notarized in Ohio? Find Out!

Before you pass away, you want to make sure you get everything in order with your estate planning. This includes writing your will and determining whether it is valid. Does a will have to be notarized in Ohio? We’ll answer this question and explain the requirements for a legitimate will.

The Requirements for Writing a Will in Ohio

The court can pronounce your will as invalid and probate your assets following the statutory law instead of the terms of your will. To avoid this, you need to fulfill the following criteria:

1. You must be of sound mind and memory
2. You have to be 18 years of age or older
3. The will should be in writing—typed or handwritten
4. You cannot be under restraint or coercion
5. The will must be signed by you
6. Two or more impartial witnesses need to watch you sign the will or hear you acknowledge your signature and sign the will

There are certain instances where you don’t have to fulfill all the requirements. If you’re physically unable to sign your will (e.g., you have an injury, or you’re hospitalized), you can appoint someone to sign it in your presence.

Another example of deviating from the rules is making an oral will in case you’re severely ill or dying. If this is the case, you can dictate your will. Someone needs to write it down, and two disinterested witnesses have to sign it.

Does a Will Need To Be Notarized To Be Valid?

In Ohio, as in most states, a will does not have to be notarized to be legitimate. If you abide by the state regulations when creating your will—most importantly, signing it and having two witnesses—there is no need for a notary service.

People often notarize the witnesses’ signatures to assist in proving the validity of a will. Usually, this can be done by notarizing a self-proving affidavit attached to the will. This way, the court won’t call out the witnesses for testimony.

Unfortunately, in Ohio, self-proving wills are not allowed. Even if you notarize your will and have a self-proving affidavit, the court will initiate the probate process and call out your witnesses.

If You Want To Notarize a Will, Go With DoNotPay

We can help you notarize your will or any other document online. Once you sign up for DoNotPay, our app matches you with a notary. Here’s how it works:

1. Locate our Notarize Any Document product
2. Upload your document
3. Type in your email address

When you complete these steps, you’ll receive an email from us. Follow the link we sent you to schedule your online notarization.

Opting for DoNotPay to get a notary signature for your documents comes with the following perks:

• Not searching for a notary on your own
• Getting notarized documents in the comfort of your home
• Using our app for numerous tasks, such as drawing up documents and faxing them

Draw Up Various Documents Using DoNotPay

If you haven’t written your will yet, DoNotPay can help you draft it. By signing up for DoNotPay, you can rely on our app to write a document for you, not only notarize it! Our AI-powered app can generate the following documents:

• Intent To Purchase Real Estate
• Residential Lease Agreement
• Bill of Sale
• Non-Disclosure Agreement
• Estoppel Certificate
• General Business Contract
• Parenting Plan (Child Custody Agreement)
• Promissory Note
• Prenuptial Agreement
• LLC Operating Agreement
• Independent Contractor Agreement
• Quitclaim Deed
• Non-Compete Agreement
• General Affidavit

What To Expect From Online Notarization

Aside from the convenience, here’s what you can expect from remote online notarization—the notary will:

1. Verify your identity—the notary checks your ID or another form of identification and asks you several questions
2. Determine you will sign the document willingly
3. Establish you are of sound mind
4. Check your document to see what type of notarial act is needed
5. Ensure the document isn’t missing any pages
6. Witness your signing of the document
7. Add a digital signature and a tamper-proof seal

What Other Types of Notaries Are There?

Besides notaries that perform online and in-person notarization, there are other types, such as:

How Much Are Notary Services in Ohio?

Although notaries can choose their fees, Ohio imposes a limit on how much a notary can charge for their service. Take a look at the maximum notary costs in Ohio:

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