Short answer. 2 witnesses. A self-proving affidavit is sworn before an oath officer such as a notary. Handwritten wills: yes. Remote witnesses: limited.
At a glance
- Witnesses
- Two witnesses, each of whom saw the signing or the testator's acknowledgment.
"each of whom witnessed either the signing or the testator's acknowledgment"
- Witness age
- Witnesses must be 18 or older.
"Any person eighteen (18) or more years of age generally competent to be a witness may act as a witness to a will."
- Beneficiary as witness
- A will, or any part of it, isn't invalid because an interested witness signed it.
"A will or any provision thereof is not invalid because the will is signed by an interested witness."
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed at signing or any time later, before an officer authorized to administer oaths where the will is signed.
"An attested will may at any time subsequent to its execution be made self-proved."
- Handwritten wills
- Recognized. The execution section carves out holographic wills, though the page doesn't list their requirements.
"Except as provided for holographic wills"
- Electronic wills
- Authorized since 2023. An electronic will is a tamper-evident electronic record readable as text when signed, signed by the testator and by at least two witnesses, each a resident of a state, within a reasonable time after witnessing the signing or acknowledgment. (Idaho Code 15-2-1101 to 15-2-1108 (Uniform Electronic Wills Act, 2023 ch. 104))
"A tamper-evident electronic record that is readable as text at the time of signing"
- Remote witnesses
- For an electronic will only: the witnesses may sign in the testator's physical or electronic presence. The self-proving affidavit wording can say physical or electronic presence instead of presence and hearing.
"in the physical or electronic presence of the testator"
- Minimum age
- 18 or older (or an emancipated minor), of sound mind.
"Any emancipated minor or any person eighteen (18) or more years of age who is of sound mind may make a will."
Signing day here
- Witnesses to bring: Bring 2 witnesses, each at least 18.
- Notary and the self-proving affidavit: Have a notary or another officer who can administer oaths there for the self-proving affidavit. The statute names that officer rather than notaries by name.
The full list, with ID and who shouldn't witness: signing-day checklist for Idaho.
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.
Official sources
- Idaho Code 15-2-502, Execution (Idaho Legislature) (checked November 2026)
- Idaho Code 15-2-501, Who may make a will (Idaho Legislature) (checked November 2026)
- Idaho Code 15-2-504, Self-proved will (Idaho Legislature) (checked November 2026)
- Idaho Code 15-2-505, Who may witness (Idaho Legislature) (checked November 2026)
- Idaho Code 15-2-1105, Execution of electronic will (Idaho Legislature) (checked November 2026)
- Idaho Code 15-2-1108, Electronic will attested and made self-proved at time of execution (Idaho Legislature) (checked November 2026)
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 Idaho?
2. Two witnesses, each of whom saw the signing or the testator's acknowledgment.
Does a will need a notary in Idaho?
Not to be valid on the pages we read; the notary is for the self-proving affidavit. Allowed at signing or any time later, before an officer authorized to administer oaths where the will is signed.
Can a beneficiary witness a will in Idaho?
A will, or any part of it, isn't invalid because an interested witness signed it. 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 Idaho?
Recognized. The execution section carves out holographic wills, though the page doesn't list their requirements.
Can will witnesses be remote in Idaho?
For an electronic will only: the witnesses may sign in the testator's physical or electronic presence. The self-proving affidavit wording can say physical or electronic presence instead of presence and hearing.
Are electronic wills allowed in Idaho?
Authorized since 2023. An electronic will is a tamper-evident electronic record readable as text when signed, signed by the testator and by at least two witnesses, each a resident of a state, within a reasonable time after witnessing the signing or acknowledgment. (Idaho Code 15-2-1101 to 15-2-1108 (Uniform Electronic Wills Act, 2023 ch. 104))
All states: will witness requirements by state · Hawaii · Illinois