Short answer: No.
If you are holding a California will and wondering whether you need to find a notary before it can be signed, you are not alone. This is one of the most common questions people ask about wills.
For a typical California will, notarization is not what makes the will valid. Instead, California generally requires the person making the will to sign it with two witnesses who understand that the document is the person’s will.
That means a notary stamp does not take the place of the required witnesses.
Why Is This So Confusing?
Many important documents are notarized, so it is easy to assume a will should be notarized too. People also find wills online, receive them from document providers, or are handed a completed will and told only that it needs to be signed.
Then the natural question becomes: “Where do I get this notarized?”
In California, the better first question is: “What are the signing instructions for this will?”
If the document calls for two witnesses, the witnesses are the important part of that signing. A notary does not replace them simply by notarizing the signer’s signature.
What If I Already Have a Will in My Hand?
If you already have a will and are trying to figure out what to do next, start by looking at the signing section and any instructions that came with the document.
If the will was prepared by an attorney or document provider, follow the signing instructions they gave you. If the instructions say that witnesses are required, arrange for the required witnesses before signing.
If the document is unclear, or you are unsure whether it was prepared correctly, contact the attorney or document provider before signing it. A California Notary Public cannot decide whether your will is legally sufficient or tell you how it should be executed.
Can I Just Have the Will Notarized Instead?
Notarization alone is not a substitute for the normal witness requirement for a California will.
California’s own statutory will form makes this especially clear: at least two witnesses must sign, and notarization alone is not sufficient.
So if someone tells you to “just get the will notarized,” it is worth checking the instructions before you do anything else.
Do the Witnesses Have to Be Notaries?
No. The witnesses are signing as witnesses, not as notaries.
Who may serve as a witness can matter, particularly if a witness is also receiving something under the will. If you have questions about who should serve as your witnesses, check the instructions that came with your will or ask the attorney or document provider who prepared it.
What About a Handwritten Will?
California also recognizes certain handwritten, or holographic, wills. Those have different requirements from a typical witnessed will.
If you are dealing with a handwritten will, do not assume that adding witnesses or a notary stamp will fix or validate it. If you are unsure whether the document meets California’s requirements, speak with a qualified estate planning or probate attorney.
The Bottom Line
A typical California will does not need to be notarized. It generally needs to be properly signed with two witnesses.
If you are holding a will and are unsure what it requires, check the signing instructions before scheduling a notary. If the document specifically requires a notarial act, Eagle Eye Mobile Notary can perform the requested notarization when California requirements are met.
Eagle Eye Mobile Notary does not prepare legal documents or provide legal advice.