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

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. 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

"two or more individuals"

From the sources listed below, checked November 2026.

What else the signing needs

Self-proving affidavit: Allowed. Per Nolo (citing 29A-2-504), the testator and witnesses sign an affidavit before a notary.
Interested witnesses: A beneficiary may witness (Nolo, citing SDCL 29A-2-505), though disinterested witnesses are recommended.
"allows 'interested' parties who stand to inherit from your will to serve as witnesses"
Remote or video signing: Witnesses and notaries may take part over live audio-video and count as in the testator's conscious presence (Nolo, citing SDCL 18-1-11.2, 18-8-1, 18-8-2 and 29A-2-502).
"does allow witnesses and notaries to sign the will remotely"
Electronic wills: Not authorized, per Nolo's South Dakota page (updated September 2025); an out-of-state electronic will valid where made is recognized.
"South Dakota doesn't allow e-wills"
Handwritten wills: Recognized whether or not witnessed, if the signature and material parts are in the testator's handwriting.
"the signature and material portions of the document are in the testator's handwriting"
Who can make a will: 18 or older and of sound mind (Nolo, citing SDCL 29A-2-501).
"18 years of age or older"

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: Witnesses and notaries may take part over live audio-video and count as in the testator's conscious presence (Nolo, citing SDCL 18-1-11.2, 18-8-1, 18-8-2 and 29A-2-502).

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

Request a mobile notary in South Dakota

If a local notary in South Dakota does it: A fee per instrument is allowed; the statute states no dollar maximum (SDCL 18-1-9), under the state's fee rules (South Dakota notary fees).

Sources

SDCL 29A-2-502, Execution; witnessed wills; holographic wills (South Dakota Legislature) (checked November 2026)
Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in South 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 South Dakota?

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. 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 Dakota will?

The self-proving affidavit. Allowed. Per Nolo (citing 29A-2-504), the testator and witnesses sign an affidavit before a notary.

Can a will be signed over video in South Dakota?

Witnesses and notaries may take part over live audio-video and count as in the testator's conscious presence (Nolo, citing SDCL 18-1-11.2, 18-8-1, 18-8-2 and 29A-2-502).

Can a beneficiary witness a South Dakota will?

A beneficiary may witness (Nolo, citing SDCL 29A-2-505), though disinterested witnesses are recommended.

Keep going

A will in another state: South Carolina · Tennessee · every state

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