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 seeing the signing or the 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
"Signed by at least two individuals"
From the sources listed below, checked November 2026.
What else the signing needs
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed at signing or any time later. The testator and witnesses sign 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
- A will, or any part of it, isn't invalid because an interested witness signed it.
"The signing of a will by an interested witness does not invalidate the will or any provision of it"
- Electronic wills
- Not authorized, per Nolo's Hawaii page; the will has to be on paper. For a self-proving will, Nolo describes the testator and witnesses going to a notary to sign the affidavit.
"Hawaii currently doesn't allow e-wills"
- Handwritten wills
- Recognized if the signature and material parts are in the testator's handwriting. No witnesses needed.
- Who can make a will
- 18 or older, of sound mind.
"An individual eighteen or more years of age who is of sound mind may make a will."
Not confirmed on the pages we read: remote witnessing. Check with the probate court for the county where the will-maker lives (statute: HRS 560:2-502, Execution; witnessed wills; holographic wills (Hawaii Legislature)).
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.
Need a notary for the self-proving affidavit in Hawaii? We can look for a mobile notary commissioned there; bring your own witnesses (two).
Request a mobile notary in Hawaii
If a local notary in Hawaii does it: Administering an oath, with the certificate, $5; Oath certificate on each duplicate original beyond four, $2.50, under the state's fee rules (Hawaii notary fees).
Worth knowing
After the testator dies, whoever holds the original will must, when an interested person asks, promptly hand it to someone able to seek probate or file it with the court. A person who deliberately fails to do so is liable for the losses caused, which the court may triple, and refusing a court order to produce it is contempt (HRS 560:2-516, Justia statute text).
Sources
- HRS 560:2-502, Execution; witnessed wills; holographic wills (Hawaii Legislature) (checked November 2026)
- HRS 560:2-501, Who may make will (Hawaii State Legislature) (checked November 2026)
- HRS 560:2-504, Self-proved will (Hawaii State Legislature) (checked November 2026)
- HRS 560:2-505, Who may witness (Hawaii State Legislature) (checked November 2026)
- Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Hawaii (Nolo) (checked November 2026)
- Justia (statute text) (secondary source): HRS 560:2-516, Duty of custodian of will; liability (2020 Hawaii Revised Statutes, Justia statute text) (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 Hawaii?
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 seeing the signing or the 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 Hawaii will?
The self-proving affidavit. Allowed at signing or any time later. The testator and witnesses sign before an officer authorized to administer oaths, under official seal.
Can a beneficiary witness a Hawaii will?
A will, or any part of it, isn't invalid because an interested witness signed it.
Who can make a will in Hawaii?
18 or older, of sound mind.
Keep going
- Hawaii will signing requirements
- Will signing-day checklist
- Will witness rules in every state
- A car title in Hawaii
- A bill of sale in Hawaii
- A power of attorney in Hawaii
- A small estate affidavit in Hawaii
A will in another state: Georgia · Idaho · every state