Do You Need a Notary for a Will in South Carolina?

No, not for the will itself.

The signing rule on the pages we read asks for two witnesses, per the county probate court's FAQ. 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

"is at least eighteen (18) years old and have two witnesses."

From the sources listed below, checked November 2026.

What else the signing needs

Self-proving affidavit: Optional under 62-2-503 (Nolo's summary): the testator and witnesses swear before a notary that the will was signed knowingly, so the court needn't contact the witnesses.
Interested witnesses: Pick witnesses who inherit nothing; under 62-2-504, as Nolo explains, a witness-beneficiary can forfeit the gift.
Remote or video signing: Not provided for: no South Carolina law we found lets witnesses appear by video, and e-wills aren't authorized (Nolo's South Carolina page, updated September 2025).
Electronic wills: No. Nolo's South Carolina guide (September 2025) says the will must be on actual paper.
"South Carolina currently doesn't allow e-wills"
Handwritten wills: South Carolina doesn't accept an unwitnessed will in the maker's own handwriting (Nolo, September 2025).
Who can make a will: 18 or older, per the county probate court's FAQ.
"is at least eighteen (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: Not provided for: no the state law we found lets witnesses appear by video, and e-wills aren't authorized (Nolo's South Carolina page, updated September 2025).

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

Request a mobile notary in South Carolina

If a local notary in the state does it: Acknowledgment, jurat or signature witnessing, per signature, $5; Oath or affirmation without a signature, per person, $5, under the state's fee rules (South Carolina notary fees).

Sources

Probate's Office FAQ (Fairfield County, South Carolina, Probate Court) (checked November 2026)
Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in South Carolina (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 South Carolina?

No, not for the will itself. The signing rule on the pages we read asks for two witnesses, per the county probate court's FAQ. 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 South Carolina will?

The self-proving affidavit. Optional under 62-2-503 (Nolo's summary): the testator and witnesses swear before a notary that the will was signed knowingly, so the court needn't contact the witnesses.

Can a will be signed over video in South Carolina?

Not provided for: no the state law we found lets witnesses appear by video, and e-wills aren't authorized (Nolo's South Carolina page, updated September 2025).

Can a beneficiary witness a South Carolina will?

Pick witnesses who inherit nothing; under 62-2-504, as Nolo explains, a witness-beneficiary can forfeit the gift.

Keep going

A will in another state: Rhode Island · South Dakota · every state

Do you need a notary for a will in South Carolina?