--- title: "Alabama Will Signing Requirements: Witnesses & Notary | MCC" description: "Alabama will signing rules: 2 witnesses, beneficiary witnesses, the self-proving affidavit, handwritten wills, from the statute." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/will-signing-requirements-alabama" --- Will signing · Alabama # Alabama will signing requirements How many witnesses, who shouldn't witness, and what the statute says about the self-proving affidavit, handwritten wills, electronic wills and the minimum age. ✓ New Jersey commissioned notary, no. 50244803, insured for errors and omissions. [See the credentials](/about/credentials) **Short answer.** 2 witnesses. A self-proving affidavit is sworn before a notary. Handwritten wills: no. ## At a glance Witnesses At least two witnesses, per the county probate office. "witnessed by at least two people" Beneficiary as witness Allowed: a will, or any part of it, isn't invalid because an interested witness signed it (Ala. Code 43-8-134, Justia's 2021 code text). Disinterested witnesses are still the safer choice. "A will or any provision thereof is not invalid because the will is signed by an interested witness." Self-proving affidavit Allowed. The county probate office says a self-proving will must be notarized and use the language the law requires. "must be notarized" Handwritten wills Not recognized: handwritten, unwitnessed wills aren't valid, per Nolo's Alabama page. "Alabama does not permit handwritten and unwitnessed (holographic) wills." Electronic wills Not authorized, per Nolo's Alabama page. "Alabama currently doesn't allow e-wills" Minimum age 18 or older, of sound mind and free from undue influence. "must be 18 years of age or older" ## Signing day here - **Witnesses to bring:** Bring 2 witnesses. - **Notary and the self-proving affidavit:** Have a notary there for the self-proving affidavit. The official page we read names a notary public. The full list, with ID and who shouldn't witness: [signing-day checklist for Alabama](/notary/will-signing-day-checklist?state=al). MCC Solutions provides notaries and witnesses for signings in New Jersey ([estate planning signings](/notary/estate-planning-notary), [the estate planning signing package](/notary/estate-planning-signing-package), [witness services](/notary/witness-services)). Elsewhere, a local notary can help with the self-proving affidavit. **Not confirmed on the pages we read:** remote witnessing. ## Sources - [Wills and Estates (Talladega County, Alabama, Probate Office)](https://talladegacountyal.org/departments/probate_office/wills_and_estates.php) (checked November 2026) - [Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Alabama (Nolo)](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/alabama-make-will-32063.html) (checked November 2026) - [Justia (statute text) (secondary source): Ala. Code 43-8-134, Who may witness will (Justia statute text, 2021 Code of Alabama)](https://law.justia.com/codes/alabama/2021/title-43/chapter-8/article-7/division-1/section-43-8-134/) (checked November 2026) Sourced from official pages; a few facts from vetted secondary sources, marked "(secondary source)". General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Have a lawyer prepare or review your will. Checked November 2026 against the official pages listed above. Rules change, and how a rule applies to one will is a question for a lawyer licensed in the state. A notary can't give legal advice or draft a will. ## Common questions **How many witnesses does a will need in Alabama?** 2. At least two witnesses, per the county probate office. **Does a will need a notary in Alabama?** Not to be valid on the pages we read; the notary is for the self-proving affidavit. Allowed. The county probate office says a self-proving will must be notarized and use the language the law requires. **Can a beneficiary witness a will in Alabama?** Allowed: a will, or any part of it, isn't invalid because an interested witness signed it (Ala. Code 43-8-134, Justia's 2021 code text). Disinterested witnesses are still the safer choice. The statute: "A will or any provision thereof is not invalid because the will is signed by an interested witness." **Is a handwritten will valid in Alabama?** Not recognized: handwritten, unwitnessed wills aren't valid, per Nolo's Alabama page. **Are electronic wills allowed in Alabama?** Not authorized, per Nolo's Alabama page. **How old do you have to be to make a will in Alabama?** 18 or older, of sound mind and free from undue influence. All states: [will witness requirements by state](/notary/will-witness-requirements-by-state) · [Alaska](/notary/will-signing-requirements-alaska) Coming soon ### Alabama Will Signing Day Kit This kit is being finished: every state rule in it is checked against official sources before it goes on sale. [See what it will include](/toolkits/alabama-will-signing-day-kit) ## Need a notary or witnesses in New Jersey? [See witness services](/notary/witness-services)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)