A last will and testament decides who receives your property and who manages the process for your family. It is not a generic form—it’s a testamentary instrument subject to strict signing rules. In Florida, that means two witnesses must observe the testator’s signing (or acknowledgment) and sign as witnesses; for many clients, adding a self-proving affidavit before a notary greatly simplifies probate later. When you ask for last wills online, you’re asking to replicate those safeguards in a compliant, recorded way.
Notary Public Center focuses on doing it right the first time. We run a robust ID check, ask additional Florida-specific screening questions required for testamentary instruments, coordinate two witnesses, and deliver the notarial pieces (self-proving affidavit, if used) in a format your probate team expects. If your attorney provides the drafting, we handle the notarial execution with precision; if you need referrals for estate planning counsel, we can connect you.
What “last wills online” means in practice
“Online” does not mean casual. It means your will signing happens by two-way audio-video with strict formalities mirrored on camera. Here’s how that translates:
Two witnesses are mandatory for the will itself. We arrange qualified witnesses (remote where permitted or in-office) and make sure they see what they must see: the testator’s signature (or acknowledgment) and each other’s signatures.
Self-proving affidavit (optional but recommended): We can add a brief affidavit signed by the testator and the two witnesses before a notary. This makes the will “self-proved,” so, in many cases, witnesses don’t have to testify later.
Recorded ceremony: The session is recorded and the notarial journal/log is maintained as required.
Tamper-evident outputs: Online execution results in a digitally sealed file; any later change shows as modified/invalid in standard PDF viewers. If your lawyer or court needs a paper packet, we plan for that.
Bottom line: last wills online are about meeting the same legal formalities—identity, capacity, willingness, presence of witnesses—using modern tools that create a stronger audit trail than most kitchen-table signings.
Florida specifics: testamentary instrument = extra questions and two witnesses
Florida treats a will as a testamentary instrument that deserves heightened care. During an online will execution with Notary Public Center, expect us to ask a short set of additional screening questions before we proceed, for example:
Location & eligibility confirmation (where you are physically located, and that you’re eligible to sign by online means under current rules).
Voluntariness & awareness (that you understand the document and are signing freely, without coercion or undue influence).
Impairment screen (that you are not under the influence of substances or temporary conditions that would impair judgment).
Vulnerability check (attesting you are not subject to circumstances that would bar e-execution of testamentary instruments under applicable safeguards).
These are not “trick questions.” They are Florida-driven protections to keep your will enforceable and to reduce probate challenges about capacity or undue influence later.
Witnesses matter. Florida requires two witnesses for the will—and if we add the self-proving affidavit, both witnesses join the notarial portion as well. We confirm witness disinterest where appropriate (they are not beneficiaries or otherwise conflicted, as guided by your attorney) and ensure they meet any age or identification criteria.
How Notary Public Center makes online will signings work (step by step)
1) Acceptance first (coordination with your attorney and court expectations)
We coordinate with your estate planning attorney (or provide a referral) about the exact signing plan: online or in-office, witness qualifications, and whether a self-proving affidavit will be executed.
The Client or the Client’s attorney is responsible for confirming and providing the probate court’s intake requirements and expectations. Many probate courts accept properly executed self-proved wills completed online, while some may still require wet-ink originals in certain circumstances. Based on the requirements provided by the Client or their attorney, if wet-ink execution is required, we will arrange an in-office ceremony instead.
2) Identity and readiness (multi-layer ID check)
Credential analysis of your ID, KBA questions, biometrics/liveness, and a recorded two-way call. If any stage fails, we switch to in-office to finish on time.
We confirm the additional Florida screening questions (instrument safeguards) and document your responses on the recording.
3) Witness coordination
- The Client is responsible for providing two qualified witnesses who can appear in the same online session, witness the testator sign (or acknowledge the signature), and see each other sign.
- If you cannot arrange witnesses, Notary Public Center can provide qualified witnesses for you. This removes the logistical burden and ensures the witnesses meet all disinterested party requirements..
4) The ceremony (clean, paced, and recorded)
Your attorney (if present) introduces the will; we confirm everyone’s identity and readiness.
Testator signs the will (e-signature or wet-ink in office).
Witnesses sign immediately after, satisfying presence requirements.
We execute the self-proving affidavit (if included), taking the testator’s oath and the witnesses’ oaths, and finalize the notarial certificate.
5) Delivery and aftercare
Online: you receive a tamper-evident PDF package; if needed, we produce certified paper sets or arrange in-office follow-ups.
In office: you leave with wet-ink originals secured and labeled.
If any document will be used abroad (e.g., extracts, affidavits connected to estate assets), we can route apostille/authentication. Timeframes may vary.
Online vs. in-office: how to choose
Choose online if your attorney and court accept it and your witnesses are ready to join remotely. You’ll benefit from faster scheduling, recorded evidence, and tamper-evident outputs.
Choose in-office if a court, custodian, or your counsel requires wet-ink or if a signer cannot pass online identity proofing. We still apply the Florida instrument screening and seat two witnesses in the room.
Either way, our focus is the same: correct formalities, complete records, and a file that probate can use without hesitation.
What we check (so you don’t have to sign twice)
Names: exact spellings as on IDs (accents, hyphens, suffixes, and middle names).
Certificate type: jurat wording for the self-proving affidavit; correct venue and date.
Witness presence: that each witness sees the testator sign/acknowledge and sees the other witness sign.
Capacity & voluntariness: we ask the additional Florida questions on the record.
Document hygiene: consistent pagination, exhibits (if any), and final seals.
“Self-proved” wills and why they save time
A self-proved will includes a notarized affidavit signed by the testator and both witnesses stating that the will was executed properly. Because this affidavit is notarized (with the testator’s oath and witnesses’ oaths), Florida probate courts can usually accept the will without calling witnesses to testify later. That’s a major convenience for families, especially when witnesses move or become difficult to reach.
When you choose last wills online with Notary Public Center, we build the self-proving step into the ceremony (subject to your attorney’s plan and court preferences).
Privacy, security, and data handling
Recorded session: protects you against claims of improper execution.
Tamper-evident files: any change triggers “modified/invalid” flags in standard viewers.
Limited data use: we retain what the law requires for notarial records and security; we do not sell your data.
Seal control: only commissioned notaries control electronic seals and signatures.
International angles: when your estate touches other countries
Your will itself is typically used in Florida probate, not abroad. But related sworn statements (affidavits of heirship, asset letters, certified copies) sometimes need to travel for banking or property matters. We will:
We will leverage our specialized expertise (via our partner brand Apostille de la Haya) to confirm whether the destination is a Hague Apostille country or requires consular legalization, ensuring your documents travel seamlessly.
Decide whether the apostille should attach to the translator’s notarized statement (for translated documents) or to the base affidavit.
Assemble, file, and return the apostilled packet. Timeframes may vary.
Common mistakes we prevent in online will signings
No witnesses or only one witness for the will. Florida requires two.
Witnesses who can’t actually see the signing online (camera off or out of frame). We enforce visibility rules.
Skipping the Florida instrument questions. We ask and record them as part of identity/eligibility screening.
Wrong notarial certificate on the self-proving affidavit (acknowledgment instead of jurat). We use the correct jurat with oaths.
Name/ID mismatches on the affidavit or will. We align names to IDs across all pages.
Unclear roles (beneficiary acting as witness where disinterest is required by counsel). We follow your attorney’s direction and court norms.
Apostille path.
Ready to execute your last will online the right way—two witnesses, Florida instrument safeguards, and a self-proving affidavit that eases probate? Contact Notary Public Center. We’ll coordinate with your attorney, verify acceptance, run multi-layer identity checks, and deliver a recorded, tamper-evident signing—or host you in office if wet-ink is required. Timeframes may vary.
FAQ
1) Can a Florida will be signed online?
Florida permits properly executed wills to be handled with online processes that mirror in-person formalities. The key is doing the formalities right: two witnesses, proper notarial step for any self-proving affidavit, and the additional screening questions for testamentary instruments. We coordinate with your attorney and local court.
2) Do I still need two witnesses if I’m online?
Yes. The will itself requires two witnesses. We coordinate witnesses who can see the signing (or acknowledgment) and each other’s signatures in the same session.
3) How long does the whole process take?
Online ceremonies are efficient once witnesses are lined up. If papers must be shipped or apostilled, timeframes may vary with third-party offices.
The information contained in this publication is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading or using this content does not create and is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship. No reader or user should act or refrain from acting based on the information presented herein without first consulting an attorney duly licensed to practice law in their jurisdiction.
