How to make a will in Nevada

Nevada will requirements at a glance

How to sign a will in Nevada

1. Print your will and read every word. Fill in any blanks in ink, but don't sign yet.
2. Choose two adult witnesses who receive nothing under your will and aren't married to anyone who does.
3. Sign and date your will in front of both witnesses, at the same time. Then each witness signs while you and the other witness watch.
4. Make it self-proving. You and your witnesses sign a short self-proving affidavit in front of a notary, so the court won't need to find your witnesses later. (NRS 133.050 (witness affidavit before a notary or other oath officer, OR an unsworn declaration under penalty of perjury), NRS 133.055; electronic wills: NRS 133.086)
5. Store the original safely and tell your executor where it is.

Who can make a will

Anyone 18 or older and of sound mind.

Witness rules

In writing, signed by the testator (or by an attending person at the testator's express direction), and attested by at least 2 competent witnesses who sign in the testator's presence (NRS 133.040). The statutory self-proving form also recites that the witnesses signed in each other's presence.

If a witness inherits: A gift to a subscribing witness is void unless there are 2 other competent subscribing witnesses; there's no intestate-share savings clause (NRS 133.060).

Handwritten wills

Signature, date and material provisions written in the testator's hand; witnessing or notarizing not required (NRS 133.090).

Self-proving affidavit

Nevada lets you and your witnesses sign a self-proving affidavit, so the court can accept your will without contacting your witnesses. (NRS 133.050 (witness affidavit before a notary or other oath officer, OR an unsworn declaration under penalty of perjury), NRS 133.055; electronic wills: NRS 133.086)

Can I sign my will online in Nevada?

Yes, electronic wills are allowed. An electronic will must carry the date and the testator's electronic signature plus at least one of: an authentication characteristic (e.g., fingerprint, facial recognition, video), an electronic notary's signature and seal, or 2 witnesses' electronic signatures, each placed in the testator's presence. For electronic wills, presence includes audio-video communication (NRS 133.088). A self-proving electronic will must name a qualified custodian. (NRS 133.085-133.088, 133.300-133.340)

In effect since Enacted 2001 (Stats. 2001 p. 2340); expanded 2017 (Stats. 2017 p. 3436-3445). Exact effective dates not verified..

Online notarization: An electronic notary may notarize electronic wills and related witness affidavits for a person appearing by audio-video communication (NRS 133.087, 133.088). (NRS 240.181-240.206 (audio-video notarization: NRS 240.1991, added 2017))

Online notary services such as Proof can host a signing session with a notary and, for a fee, witnesses (published prices start at about $25 per notarization plus $15 per witness). Before you sign, confirm the service supports will signings under Nevada law, and keep the signed original as the law requires. How online will signing works.

Good to know in Nevada

notary_instead_of_witnesses is false for paper wills, but an electronic will can be valid with an electronic notary or an authentication characteristic instead of witnesses (NRS 133.085). I couldn't verify a lifetime will deposit (no statute found; the SOS Nevada Lockbox now describes only advance directives and guardianship nominations), so will_deposit is null.

Estate and inheritance taxes

Nevada has no state estate or inheritance tax (2026). The federal estate tax applies only to estates over $15,000,000 per person in 2026, and gifts to charity are deductible.

Nevada will questions

Does a will need to be notarized in Nevada?

No. Two witnesses make a Nevada will valid. A notary is needed only for the optional self-proving affidavit, which lets the court accept your will without contacting your witnesses.

Are handwritten wills legal in Nevada?

Signature, date and material provisions written in the testator's hand; witnessing or notarizing not required (NRS 133.090).

Can a beneficiary witness a will in Nevada?

A gift to a subscribing witness is void unless there are 2 other competent subscribing witnesses; there's no intestate-share savings clause (NRS 133.060).

Can I make a will online in Nevada?

You can write your will online for free with MyLastWill, then print it and sign it with your witnesses. Nevada also allows electronic wills, and witnesses can take part by live video under conditions in state law.

Does Nevada have an estate or inheritance tax?

Nevada has no state estate or inheritance tax (2026). The federal estate tax applies only to estates over $15,000,000 per person in 2026, and gifts to charity are deductible.

Last reviewed October 24, 2026 against Nevada statutes. Laws change, and this is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your situation, talk with a Nevada attorney.