Short answer. 2 witnesses. A self-proving affidavit is allowed. Handwritten wills: no. Remote witnesses: no.
At a glance
- Witnesses
- Two attesting witnesses, physically present with the testator, per the Indiana Supreme Court's 2020 order on witnessing wills (citing IC 29-1-5 and 29-1-21).
- Beneficiary as witness
- A witness who inherits risks forfeiting the gift (Nolo, citing Ind. Code 29-1-5-2).
"risk forfeiting gifts that the will leaves to them"
- Self-proving affidavit
- A self-proving clause may be built into or attached to a will (2021 law). The summary we read doesn't say who takes it.
"a self-proving clause may be incorporated into or affixed to a will"
- Handwritten wills
- Not recognized, per Nolo's Indiana page.
"Indiana does not permit holographic (handwritten) wills."
- Electronic wills
- Authorized. The 2021 law lets an attorney or paralegal supervise the execution of an electronic will. (H.E.A. 1255 (P.L. 185-2021))
"Allows an attorney[] or paralegal to supervise the execution of an electronic will."
- Remote witnesses
- No: Indiana requires the witnesses' actual presence, even for an electronic will (Nolo's Indiana page, citing Ind. Code 29-1-21-4). The signing may be videotaped, but the witnesses still have to be there.
"Indiana requires the "actual presence" of the witnesses, even if the will maker is making an electronic will."
- Minimum age
- 18 or older, of sound mind; a younger person serving in the U.S. armed forces, the merchant marine or an allied force may also make a will (IC 29-1-5-1, FindLaw code text current as of January 1, 2026).
"Any person of sound mind who is eighteen (18) years of age or older"
Worth knowing
A living person can deposit a will with the circuit court clerk in the county where the testator lived when it was signed, for a $25 fee (IC 29-1-7-3.1).
Signing day here
- Witnesses to bring: Bring 2 witnesses.
- Notary and the self-proving affidavit: The statute we read doesn't say who takes the affidavit. Ask the lawyer whether to have a notary there.
The full list, with ID and who shouldn't witness: signing-day checklist for Indiana.
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
- Legislative Update: Probate and property matters, May 14, 2021 (Indiana Office of Court Services) (checked November 2026)
- Wills (trial court publication, Indiana Office of Court Services) (checked November 2026)
- Order 20S-MS-237, Emergency Procedures for the Witnessing of Wills (Indiana Supreme Court, 2020) (checked November 2026)
- Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Indiana (Nolo) (checked November 2026)
- FindLaw Codes (secondary source): IC 29-1-5-1 (FindLaw Codes, current as of January 1, 2026) (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 Indiana?
2. Two attesting witnesses, physically present with the testator, per the Indiana Supreme Court's 2020 order on witnessing wills (citing IC 29-1-5 and 29-1-21).
Does a will need a notary in Indiana?
Not to be valid on the pages we read; the notary is for the self-proving affidavit. A self-proving clause may be built into or attached to a will (2021 law). The summary we read doesn't say who takes it.
Can a beneficiary witness a will in Indiana?
A witness who inherits risks forfeiting the gift (Nolo, citing Ind. Code 29-1-5-2). The statute: "risk forfeiting gifts that the will leaves to them."
Is a handwritten will valid in Indiana?
Not recognized, per Nolo's Indiana page.
Can will witnesses be remote in Indiana?
No: Indiana requires the witnesses' actual presence, even for an electronic will (Nolo's Indiana page, citing Ind. Code 29-1-21-4). The signing may be videotaped, but the witnesses still have to be there.
Are electronic wills allowed in Indiana?
Authorized. The 2021 law lets an attorney or paralegal supervise the execution of an electronic will. (H.E.A. 1255 (P.L. 185-2021))
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