Do You Need a Notary for a Will in Colorado?

No, not for the will itself.

The signing rule on the pages we read asks for two witnesses who sign within a reasonable time after seeing the signing or acknowledgment, or instead the testator acknowledges the will before a notary (Nolo, citing C.R.S. 15-11-502). 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

"two witnesses must sign your will after witnessing you sign or acknowledge your will"

From the sources listed below, checked November 2026.

What else the signing needs

Self-proving affidavit: Allowed. Per Nolo (citing C.R.S. 15-11-504), the testator and witnesses sign an affidavit before a notary.
Interested witnesses: Allowed: a will, or any part of it, isn't invalid because an interested witness signed it (C.R.S. 15-11-505, Justia's 2022 code text). Disinterested witnesses are still the safer choice.
"The signing of a will by an interested witness does not invalidate the will or any provision of it."
Remote or video signing: For an electronic will: witnesses (or a Colorado notary) may be electronically present; remote witnesses must be U.S. residents located in the U.S. (Nolo, citing 15-11-1305).
"must be residents of the United States and located in the United States or its territories"
Electronic wills: Authorized. The act declares an electronic will a will for all purposes.
"declares that an electronic will is a will for all purposes of Colorado law."
Handwritten wills: Recognized without witnesses if the signature and material provisions are in the testator's handwriting (Nolo, citing 15-11-502).
"the signature and material provisions must be in your own handwriting"
Who can make a will: At least 18 and of sound mind (Nolo, citing C.R.S. 15-11-501).
"at least 18 years old"

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: witnesses (or a Colorado notary) may be electronically present; remote witnesses must be U.S. residents located in the U.S. (Nolo, citing 15-11-1305).

Need a notary for the self-proving affidavit in Colorado? We can look for a mobile notary commissioned there; bring your own witnesses (two).

Request a mobile notary in Colorado

If a local notary in Colorado does it: Up to $15 for a notarization, under the state's fee rules (Colorado notary fees).

Worth knowing

For probate, the court's instructions say the original will must be filed with the court.

Sources

HB21-1004, Colorado Uniform Electronic Wills Act (Colorado General Assembly) (checked November 2026)
Instructions for Probate with a Will, JDF 906 (Colorado Judicial Branch) (checked November 2026)
Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Colorado (Nolo, updated September 2025) (checked November 2026)
Justia (statute text) (secondary source): C.R.S. 15-11-505, Who may witness (Justia statute text, 2022 Colorado Code) (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 Colorado?

No, not for the will itself. The signing rule on the pages we read asks for two witnesses who sign within a reasonable time after seeing the signing or acknowledgment, or instead the testator acknowledges the will before a notary (Nolo, citing C.R.S. 15-11-502). 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 Colorado will?

The self-proving affidavit. Allowed. Per Nolo (citing C.R.S. 15-11-504), the testator and witnesses sign an affidavit before a notary.

Can a will be signed over video in Colorado?

For an electronic will: witnesses (or a Colorado notary) may be electronically present; remote witnesses must be U.S. residents located in the U.S. (Nolo, citing 15-11-1305).

Can a beneficiary witness a Colorado will?

Allowed: a will, or any part of it, isn't invalid because an interested witness signed it (C.R.S. 15-11-505, Justia's 2022 code text). Disinterested witnesses are still the safer choice.

Keep going

A will in another state: California · Connecticut · every state

Do you need a notary for a will in Colorado?