Short answer. 2 witnesses. A self-proving affidavit is sworn before a notary. Handwritten wills: yes. Remote witnesses: no.
At a glance
- Witnesses
- At least two witnesses, per the statute as quoted by the Arkansas Court of Appeals in 2009.
"the signature of the testator and of at least two (2) witnesses"
- Beneficiary as witness
- Use witnesses who get nothing under the will: Nolo reads 28-25-102 as putting a witness-beneficiary's gift at risk.
- Self-proving affidavit
- Yes: a notary takes the sworn affidavit of the testator and both witnesses, which lets the court accept the will without calling them (Nolo on Ark. Code 28-25-106).
- Handwritten wills
- Recognized if the entire body and signature are in the testator's handwriting; three credible, disinterested witnesses must be able to establish the handwriting (Nolo, citing 28-25-104).
"three credible, disinterested witnesses must be able to establish that it is your handwriting"
- Electronic wills
- No statute for e-wills yet; Nolo's Arkansas guide (May 2023) says a will must be a paper document.
"Arkansas currently doesn't allow e-wills"
- Remote witnesses
- No: witnesses must be physically present when the testator signs or acknowledges the will, per Nolo's Arkansas page (updated May 2023), and no statute provides for e-wills.
"They must be physically present when you either sign or acknowledge your will"
- Minimum age
- Adults of sound mind, 18 and up, under Ark. Code 28-25-101 as Nolo summarizes it.
"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 Arkansas.
MCC Solutions provides notaries and witnesses for signings in New Jersey (estate planning signings, the estate planning signing package, witness services). Elsewhere, a local notary can help with the self-proving affidavit.
Sources
- Norwood v. Sellers, 2009 Ark. App. 497, quoting Ark. Code 28-25-103 (Arkansas Judiciary) (checked November 2026)
- Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Arkansas (Nolo, updated May 2023) (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 Arkansas?
2. At least two witnesses, per the statute as quoted by the Arkansas Court of Appeals in 2009.
Does a will need a notary in Arkansas?
Not to be valid on the pages we read; the notary is for the self-proving affidavit. Yes: a notary takes the sworn affidavit of the testator and both witnesses, which lets the court accept the will without calling them (Nolo on Ark. Code 28-25-106).
Can a beneficiary witness a will in Arkansas?
Use witnesses who get nothing under the will: Nolo reads 28-25-102 as putting a witness-beneficiary's gift at risk.
Is a handwritten will valid in Arkansas?
Recognized if the entire body and signature are in the testator's handwriting; three credible, disinterested witnesses must be able to establish the handwriting (Nolo, citing 28-25-104).
Can will witnesses be remote in Arkansas?
No: witnesses must be physically present when the testator signs or acknowledges the will, per Nolo's Arkansas page (updated May 2023), and no statute provides for e-wills.
Are electronic wills allowed in Arkansas?
No statute for e-wills yet; Nolo's Arkansas guide (May 2023) says a will must be a paper document.
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