What Oregon law requires for wills
Under ORS 112.235, a will must be signed by the person making it and attested by at least two witnesses. Each witness must see you sign the will, hear you acknowledge your signature, or see you direct someone else to sign for you, and then sign the will themselves.
Oregon law does not ban family members from witnessing a will, and under ORS 112.245 a will is not invalid just because a witness inherits under it. Even so, using witnesses who aren't family members and don't inherit anything is the safer practice, because it makes the signing harder to challenge later.
Advance directives for health care
Under ORS 127.515, an Oregon advance directive must be signed and either witnessed by at least two adults or notarized. A witness cannot be your attending physician or health care provider, or the health care representative or alternate you are appointing.
If you live in a long-term care facility, one of the witnesses must be a person designated by the facility.
Powers of attorney
Oregon's financial power of attorney statute does not require witnesses or notarization for the document to be valid. Banks often ask for a notarized signature, and a power of attorney used to sell or mortgage real estate must be notarized before it can be recorded with the county. We can notarize it at the same appointment.
Why independent witnesses help
We hire independent witnesses for each appointment. They have no family ties to you and no interest in your estate, which keeps your signing simple and avoids questions about whether a witness had something to gain. The witness fee covers their time, at our office or at your location.
We don't prepare legal documents
We are not attorneys. We can't write a will, advance directive, or power of attorney, tell you which form to use, or advise you on your estate. Laws change, so follow your attorney's instructions or the instructions on your form, and have your document ready before the appointment.
Country guides
Requirements depend on where your documents are going.
Prices for witness services
- Mobile feeTravel fee within 5 miles of our Beaverton office, separate from witness and notary fees. Beyond 5 miles, a mileage fee is added. Agreed on with you before the appointment.$90within 5 miles
- Mileage fee beyond 5 milesAdded to mobile notary and witness visits more than 5 miles from our Beaverton office.Quoted when you book
- In-office witnessIndependent witness we hire for your appointment.$45per witness
- Mobile witnessIndependent witness we hire and bring to your location.$60per witness
- Witness signature$10each
- Notary fee, OregonFor each signature that needs to be notarized.$10each
- Notary fee, WashingtonWashington's maximum for in-person notarial acts. Oregon acts are $10.$15per notarial act
A mobile will signing with two witnesses includes the $90 mobile fee within 5 miles, $60 for each witness, $10 for each witness signature, and $10 for each notarized signature. Beyond 5 miles, a mileage fee is added. See all prices.
Questions about witness services
How many witnesses does a will need in Oregon?
At least two. Under ORS 112.235, each witness must see you sign or acknowledge your signature, and then sign the will.
Can a family member witness a will in Oregon?
Oregon law doesn't prohibit it, and a will isn't invalid just because a witness inherits under it (ORS 112.245). Using witnesses who aren't family and don't inherit is the safer practice.
Does an Oregon advance directive need witnesses or a notary?
Either one. Under ORS 127.515, it must be witnessed by at least two adults or notarized. Your doctor, health care provider, and the health care representative you're appointing can't be witnesses.
Does a power of attorney need to be notarized in Oregon?
Oregon's statute doesn't require it for a financial power of attorney to be valid, but banks often ask for notarization, and it must be notarized to be recorded for a real estate transaction.
How much do witness services cost?
In-office witnesses are $45 per witness. Mobile witnesses are $60 per witness, plus a separate $90 mobile fee within 5 miles of our Beaverton office, with a mileage fee beyond 5 miles. Each witness signature is $10, and each notarized signature is $10. A will usually needs two witnesses.
Who are your witnesses?
Independent adults we hire for your appointment. They aren't related to you, don't inherit anything, and have no interest in your documents.
Do you write wills or powers of attorney?
No. We are not attorneys and can't prepare legal documents or give legal advice. We witness and notarize documents you already have.
Can you handle a signing in Washington State?
Yes. Sarah is commissioned in both Oregon and Washington, so we can notarize in Vancouver and Clark County. Witness requirements differ by state, so tell us where you'll sign and we'll confirm what your document needs.
Notary and document services
Signing, witnessing, translating, and authenticating documents. Book them together and we coordinate the order.
- Notary Public Services
Notarization at our Beaverton office at $10 per signature, Oregon's maximum fee.
- Mobile Notary
We come to your home, office, hospital, or care facility to notarize signatures.
- Loan Signing Agent and Document Closings
Mobile loan document closings for title companies, escrow offices, and signing services.
- Estate Planning Notary and Signing Services
Notarization and independent witnesses for wills, trusts, advance directives, powers of attorney, and deeds.
- Form I-9 Verification for Remote Employees
We act as your authorized representative to examine documents and complete Section 2 of Form I-9.
- Apostille Courier Service (Document Authentication)
Private courier service that prepares and delivers your apostille requests to the right government office.
- New York Apostille Courier Service
Apostille courier service for New York documents, including the county clerk certification step.
- California Apostille Courier Service
Apostille courier service for California documents, handled from Oregon.
- Washington Apostille Courier Service
Apostille courier service for Washington documents, handled from Oregon.
- Corporate and Life Sciences Document Authentication
Apostille and authentication for FDA export certificates and corporate records used to register products and open entities abroad.
- Certified Spanish Translation and Document Translation
Certified Spanish to English translations of birth, marriage, and divorce records, plus other languages.
- Passport Photos
U.S., Canadian, and international passport and visa photos, printed or as a digital file.
Where we offer witness services
At our Beaverton office and by mobile appointment across the Portland metro area.
Last updated 2026-09-10