Do You Need a Notary for a Will in Ohio?

No, not for the will itself.

The signing rule on the pages we read asks for two or more witnesses, who sign in the testator's conscious presence after seeing the signing or hearing it acknowledged. A notary isn't part of that rule; the pages we read say there's no separate self-proving affidavit here either.

What else the signing needs

Self-proving affidavit: Not available. Nolo's Ohio will page and its self-proving affidavits page both say Ohio doesn't offer a self-proving affidavit, and Ohio's will statute (2107.03) provides none, so the witnesses may need to testify about the signing.
"Ohio does not give you this option"
Interested witnesses: A gift to someone who is one of only two witnesses is void.
"If a devise or bequest is made to a person who is one of only two witnesses to a will, the devise or bequest is void."
Remote or video signing: Not allowed. Conscious presence means within range of the testator's senses, not by phone, video or other distant communication.
"within the range of any of the testator's senses"
Electronic wills: Not authorized, per Nolo's Ohio will page, which notes that a 2019 bill to allow electronic wills didn't pass.
"Ohio currently doesn't allow e-wills"
Handwritten wills: A handwritten will is fine, but it still needs two witnesses. There's no separate unwitnessed handwritten will.
"may be handwritten or typewritten"
Who can make a will: 18 or older, of sound mind and memory, and not under restraint.
"A person who is eighteen years of age or older, of sound mind and memory, and not under restraint may make a will."

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: Not allowed. Conscious presence means within range of the testator's senses, not by phone, video or other distant communication.

The pages we read say Ohio has no separate self-proving affidavit, so the will itself needs no notary. If another paper you're signing does, we can look for a mobile notary commissioned in Ohio.

Request a mobile notary in Ohio

If a local notary in Ohio does it: Up to $5 for a notarial act that is not an online notarization, under the state's fee rules (Ohio notary fees).

Worth knowing

A will can be deposited with the probate court for safekeeping during the testator's life, for a $25 fee. A separate section sets the age to witness a will (2107.06).

Sources

Ohio Revised Code 2107.03, Method of making will (checked November 2026)
Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2107, Wills (checked November 2026)
Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Ohio (e-wills and self-proving) (checked November 2026)
Nolo (secondary source): Self-proving affidavits (D.C. and Ohio don't offer one) (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 Ohio?

No, not for the will itself. The signing rule on the pages we read asks for two or more witnesses, who sign in the testator's conscious presence after seeing the signing or hearing it acknowledged. A notary isn't part of that rule; the pages we read say there's no separate self-proving affidavit here either.

Is there a self-proving affidavit for a Ohio will?

Not available. Nolo's Ohio will page and its self-proving affidavits page both say Ohio doesn't offer a self-proving affidavit, and Ohio's will statute (2107.03) provides none, so the witnesses may need to testify about the signing.

Can a will be signed over video in Ohio?

Not allowed. Conscious presence means within range of the testator's senses, not by phone, video or other distant communication.

Can a beneficiary witness a Ohio will?

A gift to someone who is one of only two witnesses is void.

Keep going

A will in another state: North Dakota · Oklahoma · every state

Do you need a notary for a will in Ohio?