Some documents are so personal and definitive that the law requires you to prove your identify to a neutral third party before signing them. Many states put a will and last testament in this category, since it constitutes a directive that goes into effect only after the maker is no longer available to answer questions. A notary public is a professional authorized by a state to verify your signature.
Locate a notary public in your area. Call to set up a convenient appointment to get your will notarized. Ask for and write down the office address and amount of the notary fee. NotaryPublic.com offers an online list of notaries in your state (see Resources).
Read More: How to Get Something Notarized
Take your last will and testament and government-issued identification to the notary office during business hours. Passports, driver's license or state-issued identification cards work well.
Provide your identification, then sign the document while the notary is watching. After reviewing your identification, the notary will affix a notarial certificate which attests to the execution of the document. He will also note the facts of the execution in his records.
Pay the notary fee. Notary fees vary among states, with $10 being typical as of November 2010.
Tips
Check with your bank or attorney's office to see if a notary is present. Some professional offices provide free notary service, and it costs nothing to ask. While a lawyer will charge you money to review your will, it is often a good investment. A lawyer can also tell you whether your state requires a will to be notarized.
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Resources
Writer Bio
Teo Spengler earned a JD from U.C. Berkeley Law School. As an Assistant Attorney General in Juneau, she practiced before the Alaska Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court before opening a plaintiff's personal injury practice in San Francisco. She holds both an MA and an MFA in English/writing and enjoys writing legal blogs and articles. Her work has appeared in numerous online publications including USA Today, Legal Zoom, eHow Business, Livestrong, SF Gate, Go Banking Rates, Arizona Central, Houston Chronicle, Navy Federal Credit Union, Pearson, Quicken.com, TurboTax.com, and numerous attorney websites. Spengler splits her time between the French Basque Country and Northern California.