Quick answer: A notary’s seal alone does not make a will valid. Florida allows a compliant will to be made self-proved at signing or later through the required acknowledgment and witness affidavits.
A will’s execution matters. Review the signing and witness requirements with your attorney before the appointment. A notary’s seal alone does not establish that a will is valid.
Florida Will Execution Requirements
Under Florida Statute 732.502, a valid Florida will must be:
- In writing (typed or handwritten)
- Signed by the testator (the person making the will) at the end of the document
- Signed in the presence of two witnesses who are physically present at the same time
- Signed by both witnesses in the presence of the testator and each other
Notarization is not required for a Florida will to be valid. However, including a self-proving affidavit: a notarized statement by the testator and witnesses: is strongly recommended.
Why Add a Self-Proving Affidavit?
A self-proving affidavit, executed before a notary at the time of signing, allows the will to be admitted to probate without requiring the witnesses to appear in court to verify their signatures. In practice, witnesses may be difficult to locate years later, or may have died. A self-proving will eliminates that problem and significantly streamlines the probate process for your heirs.
Florida Statutes §732.503 allows a properly executed will to be made self-proved when it is signed or at a subsequent date, using the required acknowledgment and witness affidavits. Ask an attorney how to complete this for an existing will.
Execution Issues to Discuss With Your Attorney
- Witness selection: Florida §732.504 says an interested witness does not by itself invalidate a will; discuss the circumstances with your attorney
- Signing out of order: the testator must sign before the witnesses
- Witnesses not physically present at the moment of signing
- Signing only the last page without initialing all other pages (not legally required, but creates dispute risk)
- Using an online template without adapting it to Florida-specific requirements
Our Role in Will Execution
Gulf Coast Notary Pros facilitates the notarization of the self-proving affidavit. We do not draft wills or provide legal advice, that is your attorney's role. Once the will and affidavit are prepared, we provide a properly credentialed notary who verifies identities, witnesses signatures alongside your two required witnesses, and completes the notarial certificate correctly.
Official Sources
Updated September 28, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Confirm requirements with the document recipient or a Florida attorney.