Do You Need a Notary for a Will in Montana?

No, not for the will itself.

The signing rule on the pages we read asks for signed by at least two individuals, each of whom signs within a reasonable time after seeing the signing or the testator's acknowledgment (MCA 72-2-522, 2022 code text on Justia). 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. Per Nolo (citing MCA 72-2-524), the testator and witnesses sign an affidavit before a notary. A notary isn't needed for the will itself.
Interested witnesses: An interested witness may sign; Nolo's summary of MCA 72-2-525 still advises using witnesses who don't inherit.
"Montana allows 'interested' witnesses who stand to inherit something in the will to serve as witnesses"
Electronic wills: Not authorized, per Nolo's Montana page.
"Montana currently doesn't allow e-wills"
Handwritten wills: Recognized, with or without witnesses, if the signature and material portions are in the testator's handwriting.
"is valid as a holographic will, whether or not witnessed, if the signature and material portions of the document are in the testator's handwriting"
Who can make a will: 18 or older, of sound mind (MCA 72-2-521, Justia's 2021 code text).
"An individual 18 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: MCA 72-2-522, Execution; witnessed wills; holographic wills (2022 Montana Code Annotated, Justia)).

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 Montana? We can look for a mobile notary commissioned there; bring your own witnesses (two).

Request a mobile notary in Montana

If a local notary in Montana does it: Each notarial act (acknowledgment, jurat, signature witnessing, copy certification and others), $10, under the state's fee rules (Montana notary fees).

Worth knowing

The Legislature's current code site couldn't be opened, so these rules come from the 2021 and 2022 code text published by Justia and Nolo's summary (secondary sources). Remote witnessing stays unconfirmed.

Sources

Justia (statute text) (secondary source): MCA 72-2-522, Execution; witnessed wills; holographic wills (2022 Montana Code Annotated, Justia) (checked November 2026)
Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Montana (Nolo) (checked November 2026)
Justia (statute text) (secondary source): MCA 72-2-521, Who may make a will (2021 Montana Code Annotated, Justia) (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 Montana?

No, not for the will itself. The signing rule on the pages we read asks for signed by at least two individuals, each of whom signs within a reasonable time after seeing the signing or the testator's acknowledgment (MCA 72-2-522, 2022 code text on Justia). 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 Montana will?

The self-proving affidavit. Allowed. Per Nolo (citing MCA 72-2-524), the testator and witnesses sign an affidavit before a notary. A notary isn't needed for the will itself.

Can a beneficiary witness a Montana will?

An interested witness may sign; Nolo's summary of MCA 72-2-525 still advises using witnesses who don't inherit.

Who can make a will in Montana?

18 or older, of sound mind (MCA 72-2-521, Justia's 2021 code text).

Keep going

A will in another state: Missouri · Nebraska · every state

Do you need a notary for a will in Montana?