Short answer. 2 witnesses. No separate self-proving affidavit. Handwritten wills: no. Remote witnesses: yes.
At a glance
- Witnesses
- Two or more credible witnesses, who attest in the testator's presence.
"attested in the presence of the testator by 2 or more credible witnesses."
- Beneficiary as witness
- A witness who stands to inherit under the will may lose that inheritance (Nolo, citing 755 ILCS 5/4-6).
"A witness who stands to inherit under the will may lose the right to that inheritance."
- Self-proving affidavit
- No separate affidavit is needed. Per Nolo's Illinois page, a will that is signed and witnessed correctly is self-proved without a self-proving affidavit, and a notary isn't needed to make the will legal.
"Illinois allows your will to be self-proved without a self-proving affidavit"
- Handwritten wills
- Not recognized, per Nolo's Illinois page.
"Illinois does not permit handwritten (holographic) wills."
- Electronic wills
- Authorized. An electronic will is signed by the testator and attested by two or more credible witnesses. (755 ILCS 6 (Electronic Wills, Electronic Estate Planning Documents, and Remote Witnesses Act))
"To be valid under this Act, an electronic will shall be executed by the testator"
- Remote witnesses
- Allowed under 755 ILCS 6. Witnesses confirm the signer's identity, the will names Illinois as its place of execution, and the witnesses are in the United States.
"shall designate this State as its place of execution"
- Minimum age
- 18 or older, of sound mind.
"Every person who has attained the age of 18 years"
Signing day here
- Witnesses to bring: Bring 2 witnesses.
- Notary and the self-proving affidavit: No self-proving affidavit to arrange for this state: No separate affidavit is needed. Per Nolo's Illinois page, a will that is signed and witnessed correctly is self-proved without a self-proving affidavit, and a notary isn't needed to make the will legal.
The full list, with ID and who shouldn't witness: signing-day checklist for Illinois.
Sources
- 755 ILCS 5/4-3, Signing and attestation (Illinois General Assembly) (checked November 2026)
- 755 ILCS 5/4-1, Capacity to make a will (Illinois General Assembly) (checked November 2026)
- Public Act 102-0167, Electronic Wills, Electronic Estate Planning Documents, and Remote Witnesses Act (Illinois General Assembly) (checked November 2026)
- Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Illinois (Nolo) (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 Illinois?
2. Two or more credible witnesses, who attest in the testator's presence.
Does a will need a notary in Illinois?
Not to be valid on the pages we read, and there's no separate self-proving affidavit to notarize. No separate affidavit is needed. Per Nolo's Illinois page, a will that is signed and witnessed correctly is self-proved without a self-proving affidavit, and a notary isn't needed to make the will legal.
Can a beneficiary witness a will in Illinois?
A witness who stands to inherit under the will may lose that inheritance (Nolo, citing 755 ILCS 5/4-6). The statute: "A witness who stands to inherit under the will may lose the right to that inheritance."
Is a handwritten will valid in Illinois?
Not recognized, per Nolo's Illinois page.
Can will witnesses be remote in Illinois?
Allowed under 755 ILCS 6. Witnesses confirm the signer's identity, the will names Illinois as its place of execution, and the witnesses are in the United States.
Are electronic wills allowed in Illinois?
Authorized. An electronic will is signed by the testator and attested by two or more credible witnesses. (755 ILCS 6 (Electronic Wills, Electronic Estate Planning Documents, and Remote Witnesses Act))
All states: will witness requirements by state · Idaho · Indiana