Do You Need a Notary to Make a Will in Quebec?

Quebec sits outside the common-law world, so the question isn't really "do you need a lawyer" — it's "do you need a notary." The answer is no, not necessarily. Quebec's Civil Code recognizes three kinds of will, and only one of them, the notarial will, involves a notary.

Quebec's three valid wills

• Notarial will — prepared and received by a notary before a witness, kept in the notary's official records, and registered. It needs no court verification after death, which makes it the smoothest to administer.
• Holograph will — written entirely by your own hand and signed, with no witnesses. Free to make, but must be verified by a court or notary after death.
• Witnessed will (will made in the presence of witnesses) — typed or written, signed by you before two witnesses, who also sign. It too must be verified after death.

So is a notary required?

Only if you want a notarial will. You can make a valid holograph or witnessed will entirely on your own. That said, the notarial will is popular in Quebec for good reason: it can't be lost (the notary keeps the original), its validity is rarely questioned, and it skips the verification ("probate") step that holograph and witnessed wills require.

When the notarial route is worth it

Consider a notary when you have a blended family, a business, real estate, or substantial assets — or simply want the certainty and easy administration. The cost of a notarial will is modest compared with the delays and verification fees your liquidator would otherwise face.

When a simpler will is fine

For a very simple estate, a holograph or witnessed will is legally sufficient. Just remember the trade-off: your liquidator will have to have it verified by the Superior Court or a notary before acting.

Bottom line

You don't need a notary to make a valid will in Quebec — but a notarial will avoids verification and the risk of loss, which is why so many Quebecers choose it.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a notary charge to write a will in Quebec? A notarial will is typically a few hundred dollars; holograph and witnessed wills cost nothing to make. Are online wills legal in Quebec? A will typed online can work as a witnessed will once printed and signed before two witnesses; fully electronic personal wills are not recognized. Can I write my own will in Quebec? Yes — a holograph will (entirely handwritten and signed) is valid with no witnesses. Does a will need to be notarized in Quebec? Only if you choose a notarial will; holograph and witnessed wills are valid without a notary but must be verified after death.

Not legal advice. General information about Quebec law as of 2026 and may be simplified or out of date. Confirm specifics with a Quebec notary or lawyer before acting.