Do You Need a Notary for a Will in Wisconsin?

No, not for the will itself.

The signing rule on the pages we read asks for two witnesses, each signing within a reasonable time after the signing or acknowledgment. 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

"at least 2 witnesses who signed within a reasonable time after any of the following:"

From the sources listed below, checked November 2026.

What else the signing needs

Self-proving affidavit: Allowed at signing or any time later, before an officer authorized to administer oaths, under official seal.
"An attested will may be made self-proved at any time after its execution"
Interested witnesses: The will stays valid, but gifts to an interested witness or the witness's spouse are invalid beyond an intestate share unless an exception applies.
"a will is not invalidated because it is signed by an interested witness"
Remote or video signing: Witnesses can be present by live audio-visual technology only when an attorney supervises the remote signing (Nolo, citing Wis. Stat. 853.03).
"Wisconsin law requires an attorney to supervise the remote signing"
Electronic wills: Not authorized; a will can't be a digital file (Nolo, citing Wis. Stat. 853.03).
"Wisconsin currently doesn't allow them"
Handwritten wills: Not recognized unless witnessed: every will must be in writing and signed with two witnesses to be validly executed (Wis. Stat. 853.03). A separate written list can leave certain tangible personal property (853.32).
"Every will in order to be validly executed must be in writing and executed with all of the following formalities"
Who can make a will: 18 or older, of sound mind.
"Any person of sound mind 18 years of age or older may make and revoke 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: Witnesses can be present by live audio-visual technology only when an attorney supervises the remote signing (Nolo, citing Wis. Stat. 853.03).

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

Request a mobile notary in Wisconsin

If a local notary in Wisconsin does it: Drawing an affidavit or other paper not otherwise provided for, per folio (plus 12 cents per folio for copying), $5, under the state's fee rules (Wisconsin notary fees).

Worth knowing

Wisconsin law has a section on depositing a will with the circuit court during the testator's lifetime (853.09).

Sources

Wis. Stat. Chapter 853, Wills (Wisconsin Legislature) (checked November 2026)
Wis. Stat. 853.03, Execution of wills (Wisconsin Legislature) (checked November 2026)
Wis. Stat. 853.04 and 853.07, Self-proved will; Witnesses (Wisconsin Legislature) (checked November 2026)
Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Wisconsin (Nolo) (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 Wisconsin?

No, not for the will itself. The signing rule on the pages we read asks for two witnesses, each signing within a reasonable time after the signing or acknowledgment. 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 Wisconsin will?

The self-proving affidavit. Allowed at signing or any time later, before an officer authorized to administer oaths, under official seal.

Can a will be signed over video in Wisconsin?

Witnesses can be present by live audio-visual technology only when an attorney supervises the remote signing (Nolo, citing Wis. Stat. 853.03).

Can a beneficiary witness a Wisconsin will?

The will stays valid, but gifts to an interested witness or the witness's spouse are invalid beyond an intestate share unless an exception applies.

Keep going

A will in another state: West Virginia · Wyoming · every state

Do you need a notary for a will in Wisconsin?