--- title: "Iowa Will Signing Requirements: Witnesses & Notary | MCC" description: "Iowa will signing rules: 2 (age 16+) witnesses, beneficiary witnesses, the self-proving affidavit, handwritten wills, remote witnesses, from the statute." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/will-signing-requirements-iowa" --- Will signing · Iowa # Iowa 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 an oath officer such as a notary. Handwritten wills: no. Remote witnesses: yes. ## At a glance Witnesses Two witnesses, who sign at the testator's request in the presence of the testator and each other. "witnessed, at the testator's request, by two competent persons" Witness age The self-proving affidavit form says the witnesses were 16 or older. "the witnesses were sixteen years of age or older" Beneficiary as witness The will stays valid, but unless two disinterested witnesses also signed, an interested witness loses whatever the will gives beyond what that witness would get with no will. "No will is invalidated because attested by an interested witness" Self-proving affidavit Allowed at signing or any later date, before a person authorized to administer oaths and take acknowledgments. A self-proved will can be admitted without witness testimony. "before a person authorized to administer oaths and take acknowledgments under the laws of this state" Handwritten wills Not recognized unless witnessed: every will, to be valid, must be signed and declared before two witnesses (Iowa Code 633.279). The only exception the section names is for wills made under another state's law (633.283). "All wills and codicils, except as provided in section 633.283, to be valid, must be in writing" Electronic wills Not authorized, per Nolo's Iowa page (updated September 2025). "Iowa currently doesn't allow e-wills" Remote witnesses Presence can be physical or electronic, as long as the witness and testator can see and hear each other. Counterparts signed in different places are allowed. "any manner, physical or electronic, in which the witness and testator can see and hear" Minimum age Of full age: at least 18, or ever married (Nolo, citing Iowa Code 633.264 and 633.3). "are at least 18 years old, or" ## Signing day here - **Witnesses to bring:** Bring 2 witnesses, each at least 16. - **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 Iowa](/notary/will-signing-day-checklist?state=ia). 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 - [Iowa Code 633.279, Signed and witnessed (Iowa Legislature, 2024)](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2024/633.279.pdf) (checked November 2026) - [Iowa Code 633.281, Interest of witnesses (Iowa Legislature, 2024)](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2024/633.281.pdf) (checked November 2026) - [Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Iowa (Nolo, updated September 2025)](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/iowa-make-will-31921.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 Iowa?** 2. Two witnesses, who sign at the testator's request in the presence of the testator and each other. **Does a will need a notary in Iowa?** Not to be valid on the pages we read; the notary is for the self-proving affidavit. Allowed at signing or any later date, before a person authorized to administer oaths and take acknowledgments. A self-proved will can be admitted without witness testimony. **Can a beneficiary witness a will in Iowa?** The will stays valid, but unless two disinterested witnesses also signed, an interested witness loses whatever the will gives beyond what that witness would get with no will. The statute: "No will is invalidated because attested by an interested witness." **Is a handwritten will valid in Iowa?** Not recognized unless witnessed: every will, to be valid, must be signed and declared before two witnesses (Iowa Code 633.279). The only exception the section names is for wills made under another state's law (633.283). **Can will witnesses be remote in Iowa?** Presence can be physical or electronic, as long as the witness and testator can see and hear each other. Counterparts signed in different places are allowed. **Are electronic wills allowed in Iowa?** Not authorized, per Nolo's Iowa page (updated September 2025). All states: [will witness requirements by state](/notary/will-witness-requirements-by-state) · [Indiana](/notary/will-signing-requirements-indiana) · [Kansas](/notary/will-signing-requirements-kansas) Do it yourself ### Iowa Will Signing Day Kit Plan your Iowa will signing from the state's own rules. Two witnesses, who sign at the testator's request in the presence of the testator and each other. Self-proving affidavit: Allowed at signing or any later date, before a person authorized to administer oaths and take acknowledgments. A self-proved will can be admitted without witness testimony. [See what's inside ($19)](/toolkits/iowa-will-signing-day-kit) [Free sample](/toolkits/iowa-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)