Do You Need a Notary for a Will in North Dakota?

A notary or witnesses.

Two witnesses who saw the testator sign, or instead a notary public to whom the testator acknowledged the will.

In the source's wording

"At least two individuals, who witnessed the testator sign the Will"

From the sources listed below, checked November 2026.

What else the signing needs

Self-proving affidavit: Allowed. Per Nolo (citing 30.1-08-04), the testator and witnesses sign an affidavit in front of a notary public.
Interested witnesses: 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"
Electronic wills: Authorized. An electronic will needs a record readable as text, a signature, and two witnesses or a notary.
"An Electronic Will is a Will for all purposes of the law of North Dakota."
Handwritten wills: Recognized if handwritten and signed by the testator. No witnesses needed.
"hand written by the testator and signed by the testator"
Who can make a will: 18 or older, of sound mind.
"An adult (18 years of age older) 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: Wills Research Guide (North Dakota Legal Self Help Center, rev. January 2025)).

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

Request a mobile notary in North Dakota

If a local notary in North Dakota does it: Up to $5 per notarial act, under the state's fee rules (North Dakota notary fees).

Worth knowing

North Dakota lets a notary public stand in for the two witnesses: the testator acknowledges the will to the notary.

Sources

Wills Research Guide (North Dakota Legal Self Help Center, rev. January 2025) (checked November 2026)
Nolo (secondary source): How to Make Will in North Dakota (Nolo, updated September 2025) (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 North Dakota?

A notary or witnesses. Two witnesses who saw the testator sign, or instead a notary public to whom the testator acknowledged the will.

Where does a notary come in for a North Dakota will?

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 North Dakota will?

A beneficiary may witness (Nolo, citing N.D.C.C. 30.1-08-05), though disinterested witnesses are recommended.

Who can make a will in North Dakota?

18 or older, of sound mind.

What does a notary charge in North Dakota?

Up to $5 per notarial act, under the state's fee rules. A mobile notary may add a travel fee; ask for the total first.

Keep going

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Do you need a notary for a will in North Dakota?