--- title: "Arkansas Will Signing Requirements: Witnesses & Notary | MCC" description: "Arkansas will signing rules: 2 witnesses, beneficiary witnesses, the self-proving affidavit, handwritten wills, remote witnesses, from the statute." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/will-signing-requirements-arkansas" --- Will signing · Arkansas # Arkansas will signing requirements How many witnesses, who shouldn't witness, and what the statute says about the self-proving affidavit, handwritten wills, electronic wills, remote witnesses 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: 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](/notary/will-signing-day-checklist?state=ar). 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. ## Sources - [Norwood v. Sellers, 2009 Ark. App. 497, quoting Ark. Code 28-25-103 (Arkansas Judiciary)](https://opinions.arcourts.gov/ark/courtofappeals/en/311274/1/document.do) (checked November 2026) - [Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Arkansas (Nolo, updated May 2023)](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/arkansas-make-will-31910.html) (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. All states: [will witness requirements by state](/notary/will-witness-requirements-by-state) · [Arizona](/notary/will-signing-requirements-arizona) · [Colorado](/notary/will-signing-requirements-colorado) Do it yourself ### Arkansas Will Signing Day Kit Plan your Arkansas will signing from the state's own rules. At least two witnesses, per the statute as quoted by the Arkansas Court of Appeals in 2009. 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). [See what's inside ($19)](/toolkits/arkansas-will-signing-day-kit) [Free sample](/toolkits/arkansas-will-signing-day-kit#free-starter)14-day full refund ## Need a notary or witnesses in New Jersey? [See witness services](/notary/witness-services)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)